Arthur Rhodes from Stockport - Post WW1?

[Kay99]

The Arthur Rhodes b 1895 Stockport was actually born in Marple Cheshire(part of the Stockport Reg District) the son of Frank Septimus Rhodes and Katherine nee Dent.   He died in WW1 in May 1915 and there are is a report of his life and death by his father in the Stockport Advertiser and Guardian 4 May 1915

[AlanBoyd]

Also compare 1893 mmn Bossons with name of witness in reply#3, Alice Bosson Rhodes.

[Ray T]

Thanks for all the replies, lots to think about but I’m off to Northumberland tomorrow morning so further research will have to wait.

One thing you have however confirmed is that there are several “Arthur Rhodes” and, unfortunately Kay99, he wasn’t the one from Marple - his military records confirm that he survived WW1 and I’m sure I have the right one there. I have more or less concluded that Bossons was his MMN.

The discovery about the suicide/flower salesman is interesting. The thing putting me off is the mention of an attestation order - so far, I have no evidence of any children.

Thanks again - I will be back!

[LizzieL]

If Arthur, when he left the army in 1919, claimed he had an injury as a result of his war service, which was proved to be false, wouldn't he be liable to be prosecuted for claiming compensation or pension, to which he wasn't entitled? Maybe he changed his name to avoid arrest. Or maybe he genuinely believed he had been injured due to suffering from PTSD or similar. If he was deemed to have a mental disorder he might be in an institution.

[Kay99]

Presumably the affilailation order mentioned in the newspaper report was not relating to his wife's child as he was living with her at the time he died??

[AlanBoyd]

Apart from the age at death everything fits so perfectly that – unless I'm missing something– the only conclusion has to be that the Arthur Rhodes born November 1893 is the same man who committed suicide in 1931.

Just to recap: In 1921 an Arthur Rhodes (married, no wife in the household) is boarding with James and Edith Ellen Willock. His age (27.7) is a match and his occupation is florist, Smithfield market, the same as the suicide.

At her marriage to James Willock in 1915, Edith Ellen Rhodes gives her address as 14 St Matthews Road which is the same address as Arthur's father John's address on his military record. And the witness at this wedding, Alice Bosson Rodes, went on to marry in 1916 with father John Rhodes and the same address again. And of course the other witness at Edith Ellen's wedding is Arthur Rhodes.

Nothing in the earlier census records for the family is inconsistent with any of this.

The age at death must be wrong, and he must have been subject to an affiliation order: is it possible that his wife didn't know about this, and he believed that the court proceedings would mean that everything was about to be revealed?

[Ladyhawk]

Apart from the age at death everything fits so perfectly that – unless I'm missing something– the only conclusion has to be that the Arthur Rhodes born November 1893 is the same man who committed suicide in 1931.

Just to recap: In 1921 an Arthur Rhodes (married, no wife in the household) is boarding with James and Edith Ellen Willock. His age (27.7) is a match and his occupation is florist, Smithfield market, the same as the suicide.

At her marriage to James Willock in 1915, Edith Ellen Rhodes gives her address as 14 St Matthews Road which is the same address as Arthur's father John's address on his military record. And the witness at this wedding, Alice Bosson Rodes, went on to marry in 1916 with father John Rhodes and the same address again. And of course the other witness at Edith Ellen's wedding is Arthur Rhodes.

Nothing in the earlier census records for the family is inconsistent with any of this.

The age at death must be wrong, and he must have been subject to an affiliation order: is it possible that his wife didn't know about this, and he believed that the court proceedings would mean that everything was about to be revealed?

I don't think you are missing anything Alan

Arthur Rhodes was born in Stockport on 1/11/1893; according to his baptism which took place at Christ Church, Heaton Norris

Thanks for all the replies, lots to think about but I’m off to Northumberland tomorrow morning so further research will have to wait.

One thing you have however confirmed is that there are several “Arthur Rhodes” and, unfortunately Kay99, he wasn’t the one from Marple - his military records confirm that he survived WW1 and I’m sure I have the right one there. I have more or less concluded that Bossons was his MMN.

The discovery about the suicide/flower salesman is interesting. The thing putting me off is the mention of an attestation order - so far, I have no evidence of any children.

Thanks again - I will be back!

For info. - parents names not given on the baptism above - from all the baptisms listed below on Anc*y parents are John & Hannah address 28 Higher Bury Street Heaton Norris father occ labourer , the same address  the family are living on 1901 and 1891 censuses)

Alice Rhodes age 2 Birth  9 May 1887
Baptism 29 May 1889 Heaton Norris, Christ Church, Lancashire
John Willie Rhodes baptised same day born 20th April 1889

BOSSONS, ALICE   -
GRO Reference: 1887  S Quarter in CONGLETON  Volume 08A  Page 312

Alice was born before her parents John Rhodes & Hannah Bossons marriage 3 Dec 1887
(image on Anc*y)

RHODES, JOHN  WILLIE   mmn BOSSONS
GRO Reference: 1889  J Quarter in STOCKPORT  Volume 08A  Page 42   

Edith Ellen Rhodes Birth    7 Jun 1891
Baptism    29 Jul 1891 Heaton Norris, Christ Church, Lancashire

RHODES, EDITH  ELLEN   mmn BOSSOMS
GRO Reference: 1891  J Quarter in STOCKPORT  Volume 08A  Page 47   

Arthur Rhodes Birth 1 Nov 1893
Baptism 28 Mar 1894 Heaton Norris, Christ Church, Lancashire

Births Dec 1893   (posted by CaroleW (reply8)
Rhodes    Arthur     Stockport    8a   38   mmn Bossons (parents Hannah & John)

Elsie Rhodes Birth 15 Jun 1898
Baptism Date   27 Jul 1898 Heaton Norris, Christ Church, Lancashire, England

RHODES, ELSIE   mmn BOSSAM
GRO Reference: 1898  S Quarter in STOCKPORT  Volume 08A  Page 37
Elsie Rhodes died age 3 death reg. Stockport Dec 1901

Albert Edward Rhodes Birth 20 Dec 1900
Baptism 21 Jul 1901   Heaton Norris, Christ Church, Lancashire

RHODES, ALBERT  EDWARD   mmn BOSSONS
GRO Reference: 1901  M Quarter in STOCKPORT  Volume 08A  Page 32   

Ray T - please do let us know your thoughts when you get back and whether or not you decided to obtain the 1931 digital death certificate for Arthur Rhodes perhaps the informant was a family member

[Ladyhawk]

so far, I have no evidence of any children.

Could this be their child?

Marjorie Rhodes
Registration Sep 1916 Stockport
Mother's Maiden Name   Lowe
Volume Number   8a Page number   163

Possible death

RHODES, MARJORIE       0 
GRO Reference: 1916  D Quarter in STOCKPORT  Volume 08A  Page 122

[amondg]

1921 the transcription has DOB 1899 making him 21.7  but if you look at the actual image its 27. 7