[PPS]

Anthea,

As I said in my last post, and in the email, the two certificates shed a different light on the case of Thomas Donaldson. (Not quite what I said, but close enough). I have only used details from the Marriage Certificate in this post. My thoughts on the Birth Certificate are in a PM/email.

Looking at the marriage certificate, I can see the following:-

1. Thomas was in the Royal Canadian Artillery, not the Armoured or Service Corps, at the time of his marriage.

2. He was based in Farnham, not Stockton. Farnham being close to Aldershot would have had a military presence during WW2, possibly barrack blocks or tented camps. I am sure there are those on the site who will expand on this.

3. As is very common over here they would have married in the bride’s church, unless there were reasons why they could not. That would be why it could be taken that he was based in Stockton.

4. They married by licence as against by the calling of Banns. So it was possibly a “short notice” marriage with the excuse of being sent on active service

5. Going back to the military presence in the Farnham/Aldershot area, there would also have been medical units of different kinds, which could point to how they met. The bride was stated as being an Auxiliary Nurse (as was my own mother in WW2)

6. I notice that there are three witnesses, rather than the normal two. Two of them have the same surname as the bride; were they siblings or other relations? They could possibly provide a lead if they are still around and willing!

It seems my posting on the 28/12/07 was closer to the fact than I thought, and 9th Field Brigade RCA was from/based in Kingston. The Brigade apparently consisted of 3rd (Gananoque) Battery, 32nd (Kingston Battery) 34th Battery, and 47th (Napanee) Battery (How). I would say that (How) means Howitzers.

I have not found, as yet, details of service of any of these Batteries. And I would almost bet that someone on the Forum will be able to supply details before I can.

Paul.