Mysterious Occupation for an Interesting Chap

[SouthseaSteel]

Anybody have any suggestions as to what the occupation "Head of the Intelligence Department" may specifically refer as given on the 1950 death certificate of Ernest Clifton Crick who died in Paddington Hospital.

He was a remarkable chap.  Born in 1877 in Paris, he was arrested for fraud in South Africa and fled to New Zealand where he instigated what was then called the biggest fraud in New Zealand's history in 1899!! He raised finance for a power station that didn't exist.  He escaped again to Australia where he was arrested 3 times in Sydney and Melbourne for a variety of offences.

In 1913 he married my brother in laws great aunt in Chelsea, London but was arrested and jailed for assault later that year whilst working as a foreign stamp dealer in Aldgate, London.

In 1914 he served in the London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers through WW1 and was then based at General Headquarters, British Army of the Rhine, Cologne in 1921 serving in the Intelligence Corps.

From 1928 until his 1950 death he lived in Paddington, London having married for the 2nd time in 1942.

Maybe his death occupation "Head of the Intelligence Department" harked back to his military days in the 20s but we can't help but think there is some much more exotic back story to it!!

Any insights or suggestions gratefully received as ever

[scotmum]

Have you considered that, in reality, any occupation could be given on a death certificate as no proof of the deceased having been such was sought? Any information on a death certificate was only ever as accurate as the knowledge of the person providing the details.

[CaroleW]

As he served in the Intelligence service it's more than likely that's the reference on his death cert.  However - you can give whatever occ you like on a death cert.

What's his occupation on the 1939 register?

[AllanUK]

Interesting story on his fraud can be seen by the link below ....

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18990610.2.6

[AllanUK]

And yet more ....

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18990610.2.5

[SouthseaSteel]

Have you considered that, in reality, any occupation could be given on a death certificate as no proof of the deceased having been such was sought? Any information on a death certificate was only ever as accurate as the knowledge of the person providing the details.

I have considerd that yes.  My post was based on the assumption that his occupation was based on his military past ........ but what if it wasnt and it actually reflected his current reality?!! Such considerations are what feed our genealogical dreams!!

[SouthseaSteel]

As he served in the Intelligence service it's more than likely that's the reference on his death cert.  However - you can give whatever occ you like on a death cert.

What's his occupation on the 1939 register?

Unfortunately, I can't find any 1939 Register entry which may confirm a continuing military career or maybe something more mysterious commensurate with being " Head of THE intelligence department"!!

Actually you have given me the idea of ordering his 2nd 1942 marriage certificate.  That should have an occupation on it. Thanks you

[SouthseaSteel]

And yet more ....

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18990610.2.5

I know - what tales!!  And how they were written up back in the day, glorious prose!!! 

[Andy J2022]

SouthseaSteel, you already seem to know quite a bit about this man. Were you aware that the 10th battalion Royal Fusiliers, as well as being a conventional service battalion also acted as holding unit for the nascent Intelligence Corps? Pte(Acting Sergeant) EC Crick held the Army number 253372. You can read a bit more about the dual role of the 10th battalion on the Great War Forum Here and Here. Also Wikipedia has This on the subject, although I'm guessing you have already found that one. A contemporary, though limited, source can be found on pages 10 - 11 of H.C. O’Neill, The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War, London: Heinemann, 1922.

I assume that his entry in the 1921 Census which says that he was in the Armed Services Overseas is where you found out that he was serving with BAOR in 1921 (I haven't paid to look at the exact detail of the entry). Since he was presumably still a serving soldier his service record will have survived and you can obtain it from the MOD. (details of how to do that here). This is likely to tell you a lot more about his intelligence career and when he joined and left the Army.