It occurs to me (best guess) the final Hamblin interpretation, likely due to my Grandfather living in the Collins household before he entered school. I doubt that his mother or stepfather were that literate.
He had no living Hamblen siblings or father to firmly peg his surname on.
From dictation, entering school life "Hamblen"/"Hamblin" is a 50/50 bet, the latter option taken down & stuck. I doubt if he himself ever became aware.
First 100% sighting of adult Henry Hamblin was 1901 census, already with 4 children, I know to be correct.
However, in the 1891 census there was a Harry Hamblin boarder 21? at 7, Carlow St. . Hackney Carriage Driver. fillet attached.
This Henry was born in 1872, he'd only be 19, that's very young to have acquired knowledge, in that this was his father's occupation, it then becomes plausible. Carlow St NW1 is close enough to St Pancras. Harry/Henry being synonymous.
Any thoughts?
Just to flesh this out to date in human terms, from personal knowledge. Henry was most certainly literate, his only vice's broadsheet's & dry biographies. Three of his sons went on too be motorised London cabbies, he reluctantly switched too from his beloved horses.
Here is an odd anomaly, of his 11 children, 6 boys only one Hamblin survives today aged 90.
So mispelling won't rock many boats.
