Zillah Constance Gilbert

[Tickettyboo]

I was wondering, you seem surprised she was in Scotland. I had a look round the records and her husband was in the RN in WW2. The most recent 'ship' listed on his record was 'Cochrane' and I think its possible that it was the shore establishment at Rosyth (which would fit with her dying in Dunfermline)so maybe she was there so they would at least see each other if he had time off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Cochrane

NB this is just a 'guess' by me but maybe worth getting that death register entry for her, that may shed more light on it.

Boo

[MollyC]

You are correct that 'Cochrane' was at Rosyth.  It was Depot Ship, Coast of Scotland Command.  See Navy List for Dec 1939, available from the National Library of Scotland.

https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92731130

[clarksparks]

Thank you very much for this information. It seems very likely that Zillah was visiting Cecil in Rosyth. I've looked back at Cecil's service records. He enlisted with the RN in 1917 and served until 31 Aug 1940, (receiving the Long Service Award and Good Conduct Medal in 1935 when he was Stoker Petty Officer on HMS Cormorant).

[Tickettyboo]

I have looked again at that service record there are 2 pages - have you seen them both?

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/60522/images/47392_adm_363_44_11_0001?

that's just the first page , click through to see the next one

On the first page , right hand side listing the assessments of his character and efficiency,  there are dates of Dec 1940 and Dec 1941 - which must mean he was still serving?

on the second page I am unsure as I'm not the best at the Navy records but it seems to be saying he was discharged in 1945 - invalided ?

Boo

[clarksparks]

Thanks Boo. I hadn't noticed that there was a second page. Navy records are often difficult to read but I'm sure you're right. (Cecil married his brother's widow in 1942 and his family moved to her family farm near Bristol. Died 1955). Sadly his 90 year old daughter has dementia, just wish I'd asked her more about her dad years ago.  Thanks for your help.