Ellen and James O'Brien 1915

[heywood]

His widow applied for his medals in 1923 as Mrs Ellen Purcell

Marriages December qtr 1916   
O'Brien    Ellen     West Derby    8b   953      
Purcell    Ernest   

Check the 1921 under Purcell

See above

What was Ellen's maiden name?

Was it Furlong?

Is there an address for the claim? Wondering if it could be checked against 1921 

[heywood]

I am trying to find out what became of my relative Ellen O'Brien -  in 1915 she was living at 74 St John's Rd, Bootle, Liverpool with her husband James who was sadly killed in WW1. I have no trace of her after this date so any help will be great. She was born 06/12/1893 in Waterford, Ireland.

This may be a coincidence but Ernest Purcell’s family lived at 153, St John’s Road for at least 1891 - 1911.

[Carolyn1810]

That is a coincidence isn't it, could have been family acquaintances

[CaroleW]

The cwgc entry shows 74 St Johns Rd - same as MRI

Different address in 1939 but still in Bootle

[Maiden Stone]

She wasn't my Ellen as she had a different date of birth
thanks for your help though

How much difference? One of my relatives, similar age to Ellen, was a year out on 1939 Register. 

[Carolyn1810]

it was very different and a few years out

[CaroleW]

Yes - birthdate was  totally different on the 1939 register.  Where did you get your Ellen's full birthdate from?

A couple of things bother me. 

There is no marriage in England between a James O'Brien & Ellen Furlong to definitely rule them out as the wrong couple.

The cwgc entry shows James parents were in Waterford which is where you say your Ellen & James married in 1915.

They were only married 2 months when he was killed & there are no O'Brien births with mmn Furlong which supports a short marriage.

If he was serving in an Irish regiment when they married - why did they move to Bootle?

The 1921 entry will have her birthplace & age.  If it shows Waterford you cannot dismiss the 1916 marriage without buying a copy of the cert to establish her fathers name.  Unfortunately it was a civil marriage so can't be looked up in parish records

[CaroleW]

On the subject of Ellens birthdate on the 1939 register

Son Ernest was b 1918 - not 1919 - per freebmd & his 2001 death reg
Son Arthur was b 1926 - not 1920 per freebmd & 1999 death reg

If Ellen's birth year was correct in 1939 she would have been barely 18yrs old when she remarried Purcell in 1916 so would only have been 17yrs old when she married in 1915. You say her birthyear was 1893

[Maiden Stone]

If he was serving in an Irish regiment when they married - why did they move to Bootle?

Ellen may have moved to be near family or friends or to work.
Where was James on 1911 census? Was he in Ireland or England?