Thomas Donaldson

[PPS]

Unless I have missed something somewhere, I have not been able to find a definite link to Thomas in the 1911 Census on the site that Karmen mentioned.

I have checked all states, and carried out a check of all the states together, but there is nothing that could definitely be said to be him unfortunately.

Is it possible that the whole family emigrated to Canada at some stage after the Census dates?

Paul

I couldn't find a Thomas in the 1911 either ... not in Kingston. There was a 2 year old in Parry Sound though, I think?

Maybe Anthea, you can do a search in the automatted geneology site and 1911 census for a Thomas Donaldon for all of Ontario and click on any that might be the right age for Thomas in 1911, and see if any names of the people in that household ring any bells for you or your Dad

FYI: just a little note for everyone else and you, Paul, who don't know this, and for your future reference for you for any searches or anything you do, our separate Canadian areas are called PROVINCE / Provinces. (Province of BC, or Ontario, etc) We don't have "states"

PS:

I've wondered about the possibility of emmigration too, and have also wondered ... in censuses, maybe Thomas was called by another name at home. Maybe a persons first name was actually Bill and they entered Bill in the census, but they were actually called by their middle or nickname "John" at home and by everyone. Who knows. Those census records also often have misspellings or sometimes even nicknames etc. Information was only as good as it's provider.

Cross referencing info to make the connections with other info is good.

Also, if someone who normally "lives there" is temporarily away and living elsewhere, then they will show up wherever they were living, or at, at the time of the census. Kids often lived with relatives for a while, etc. Any number of reasons someone would not be listed as living at that household at the time of the census taking. Makes for interesting searching, and often really creative searching to locate people, especially so far back

[PPS]

I am suitably chastised

Paul.

NOT chastised (didya see a bluddy frying pan me boy? NO. ) ... edumacated

[PPS]

Another thought!!!

It may be possible that you could track down the witnesses to the marriage (or their possible descendants).

Only a suggestion.

Paul.

[PPS]

Anthea,

The documents you posted to me (they arrived today) throw quite a few things upside down.

When I get my head straight enough to write it out in a logical (for me ) sequence, I will post what I have found from those documents.

Just as a starter - Thomas was not in the Armoured Corps.

I will leave it there for now, and take cover to avoid Karmen's .

Anti-aircraft guns have been deployed to ward off the carriers ( :witch :witch).

There is a clue in the last sentence

Paul.

[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.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by PPS
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;

- brief details of service of these batteries:

3rd (Gananoque) Field Battery

- was mobilized for active service effective 24 May 1940 as a component battery of the 15th Field Regiment, R.C.A., under the designation 3rd/47th Field Battery, R.C.A., C.A.S.F.
- the battery regained individual status effective 27 February 1941 under the designation 3rd (Gananoque) Field Battery, R.C.A.
- the battery was reorganized and redesignated 3rd Anti-Tank Battery, R.C.A., as a component battery of the 5th Anti-Tank Regiment, R.C.A., effective 26 January 1942
- 3rd Anti-Tank Battery, R.C.A., was disbanded effective 10 December 1945

32nd (Kingston) Field Battery

- was mobilized for active service effective 24 May 1940 as a component battery of the 14th Field Regiment, R.C.A., under the designation 32nd/34th Field Battery, R.C.A., C.A.S.F.
- the battery regained individual status effective 1 January 1941 under the designation 32nd (Kingston) Field Battery, R.C.A.
- the battery was reorganized and redesignated 32nd (Kingston) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.C.A., as a component battery of the 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.C.A., effective 1 January 1941
- 32nd (Kingston) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.C.A., was disbanded effective 13 November 1945

34th Field Battery

- was mobilized for active service effective 24 May 1940 as a component battery of the 14th Field Regiment, R.C.A., under the designation 32nd/34th Field Battery, R.C.A., C.A.S.F.
- the battery regained individual status effective 1 January 1941 under the designation 34th Field Battery, R.C.A.
- 34th Field Battery, R.C.A., was disbanded effective 2 November 1945

47th (Napanee) Field Battery

- was mobilized for active service effective 24 May 1940 as a component battery of the 15th Field Regiment, R.C.A., under the designation 3rd/47th Field Battery, R.C.A., C.A.S.F.
- the battery regained individual status effective 27 February 1941 under the designation 47th (Napanee) Field Battery, R.C.A.
- the battery was reorganized and redesignated 47th (Napanee) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.C.A., as a component battery of the 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.C.A., effective 21 December 1941
- 47th (Napanee) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.C.A., was disbanded effective 27 November 1945

Cheers

[PPS]

Mark,

Many thanks for that, I knew that someone here would be able to provide details of the Batteries.

It could give Anthea another in-road to find the elusive Thomas.

Paul.

Hi Anthea,

Good to see it looks like you've found some progress here

[PPS]

Many thanks for the PM Mike, I have replied to it.

Paul.

[PPS]

Anthea,

I found this while I was having another sniff about.

Paul.

[PPS]

Anthea,

If you have not already seen or tried this site, it may be of help.

http://www.british-genealogy.com/for...ad.php?t=19121

Paul.

(also posting this on Sarah's thread)

[antheakn]

Just an update for everyone, I have somebody helping me trace my grandfathers family and apparently I think we have hit jackpot and have found them, I will keep you posted, I have to send a picture of my grandfather at his wedding then see what happens from there.
Thabks for everyones help to date, it has been very much appreciated.

Speak soon

[PPS]

Originally Posted by antheakn

Just an update for everyone, I have somebody helping me trace my grandfathers family and apparently I think we have hit jackpot and have found them, I will keep you posted, I have to send a picture of my grandfather at his wedding then see what happens from there.
Thabks for everyones help to date, it has been very much appreciated.

Speak soon

Excellent news for you Anthea

I (and all of us here) hope that it all turns out well for you. Fingers crossed for you.

Paul.

[PPS]

I was having a wee think about Thomas and the information you have just received. (No wise remarks please - about me thinking!!! )

How was this information found?

If the death date is as you said in your e-mail where was it found, was it an obituary?

If the date is correct (and I have no reason to doubt it) you, or your Dad, should now be able to apply for details. All you need is the proof of death, which this person should be able to provide.

Paul.

Originally Posted by antheakn

Just an update for everyone, I have somebody helping me trace my grandfathers family and apparently I think we have hit jackpot and have found them, I will keep you posted, I have to send a picture of my grandfather at his wedding then see what happens from there.
Thabks for everyones help to date, it has been very much appreciated.

Speak soon

Hello Anthea,

Great to get an update from you, so thanks for that!

Also great to hear you've made some progress and that you've found someone and that they are communicating with you. I assume that sending the photo is about them verifying whether this is the relative of both of you and then if so, jackpot indeed! It sounds very promising!!! I hope to hear that you did hit the jackpot for sure so look forward to more updates

[PPS]

Hello Anthea,

Any joy on the elusive Thomas, as per your update?

Paul.