Edward Oakley's Millitary Records

[christineoa]

Hi all,

Happy New Year! Am back on the family history trail after a bit of a lean spell and need a bit of help.

Just a bit of background info on Edward. He was born c1888, Dudley and was the brother of my Great Grandfather William Oakley. Both were bedstead makers (or fitters) as was there father Emmanuel (various spelling of his Christian name!). Edward was living with William (and his wife) on the 1911 Census in Dudley but, have had trouble tracing him after this. :'(
At first I thought maybe he had been killed during WW1 as there was a record which I believed would tie in with him age wise and it was a Staffordshire Regiment however, since picking up with my research again recently I had what was a 'light bulb' moment. I found an Army Pension Record which could be him... right age, now married... address given in Tower Street, Dudley where many of the Oakley clan lived but, why would he serve with a Cheshire Regiment? Or is this not that unusual?

I have not been able to locate any other of his millitary records and have could not find his death during WW1. Is this my Edward Oakley? Similarly there are marriages for 3 Edward Oakleys but again I can't be sure which is his as can't seem to find him anywhere!

Any ideas or advice would be very much appreciated. :biggrin: :biggrin:

Many thanks in advance.

 

[davelambert271]

You did not necessarily serve in the regiment based where you lived. I lived in Hull Yorkshire but went to R.A. Oswestry for my initial training, then was posted without option to RMP Woking in Surrey because they needed men and I was over 6ft

dave

 

[christineoa]

Thanks for clearing that up Dave. I have to be honest I don't know much about millitary but I guess it's all part and parcel of learning and finding out when you research your family history.

Cheers.

 

[davelambert271]

Looking at the census and military records, I would be very surprised if it were not your Edward, married to Mary Millward 1st Jan 1912, enlisted Dec 1914 with Children Florence May 1910, Lilian May 1912 and William Henry 1914

Having said that, there is a marriage of Edward Oakley to Mary Millward, Mar qtr 1912 Dudley, - Edward is as you say with his brother William, but Florence May Oakley is on 1911 aged 1 daughter of Mary Ann Oakley 23, nee Hale Single.
On BMD Florence is again named Oakley. Lilian mother maiden was Millward. So we have Mary on 1911 single daughter named Oakley with parents named Hale, and Florence born 2 yrs out of wedlock but given the Oakley surname.

hope you can understand this

dave

 

[christineoa]

The marriage to Mary Millward was one on my list!! I guess the only way to find out would be to get the certificate!

I have tried to find anyone researching the Millwards (in particular regarding Mary who married Edward Oakley) but I have had no luck via Genes Reunited or Ancestry.

The other thing I have literally just found is a Christening record on Familysearch for Edward Oakley born October 27th 1888, Father was Emmanuel... I don't know how I could have missed this before!! redf) This record ties in with the Millitary one!

 

[davelambert271]

Edward is on 1901 census with Emanuel and brother William plus other siblings
details if reqd

 

[christineoa]

I have Edward's info with his parents and siblings on the 1901 Census but cheers for the offer.