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Merrick
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17 Jul 2019 15:31 |
I am looking for a Boar war relative. 4909 Pte R (Ralph) Mellor 1st Bat KRRC. He received medals while serving. South Africa medal Bars 1901 and 1902 it appears he was involved in the relief of Ladysmith. Also received the India medal in 1895 bar, Relief of Cwtral?
8268 Pte R Mellor North Staffs rifles. 1914-15 Star 1914-19 The great war for civilisation 1914- 18 George V medal All I know of him is he was my great granddad's brother and born in Staffordshire, so any help in finding out about his war/s service would be gratefully received.
Also My great Uncle H (Harry) Stokes S 22536 Pte East Kent rifles. 1914- 18 George V medal 1914- 19 The great war for civilisation.
I have many people to find out about but am starting with those I have been given some info on. Again any help in finding Harry's war records or other info will go a long way to fleshing out my tree branches on this side of the family.
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ErikaH
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17 Jul 2019 15:37 |
Only about 30% of WW1 records have survived
Not sure about Boer War
When were these men born?
Where did you find the info you have quoted?
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KathleenBell
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17 Jul 2019 16:57 |
His service records must be among those destroyed by fire in WW2.
The battle you query is the Relief of Chitral.
There is this medical record:-
First name(s) R Last name Mellor Age 51 Birth year 1864 Service number 8268 Rank Private Corps North Staffords Company / squadron A Admission year 1915 Admission date 15 Oct 1915 Hospital Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital At Millbank Transferred to Furlo Discharge year 1915 Disharge date 02 Dec 1915 Description British Expeditionary Force - British and Colonial other ranks. (Barracks section). Archive The National Archives Piece MH 106/1787 Series description War Office: First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen Register type Hospital admission and discharge registers Record year range 1915 July 10-1916 Apr. 29 Country Great Britain Record set British Armed Forces, First World War Soldiers' Medical Records Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory First World War Collections from Great Britain, UK None
On this one it says he had Enteric Fever. In hospital from 15-10-1915 until 2-12-1915
Kath. x
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KathleenBell
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17 Jul 2019 16:58 |
There is also this one:-
First name(s) R Last name Mellor Age 50 Birth year 1865 Service number 8268 Rank Private Corps North Staffordshire Regiment Company / squadron A Admission year 1915 Admission date 17 Jul 1915 Hospital 2Nd General Hospital Transferred to Con Camp Discharge year 1915 Disharge date 19 Jul 1915 Description British other ranks. Archive The National Archives Piece MH 106/902 Series description War Office: First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen Register type Hospital admission and discharge registers Record year range 1915 July 14-July 17 Country Great Britain Record set British Armed Forces, First World War Soldiers' Medical Records Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory First World War Collections from Great Britain, UK None
This one I think says Gastritis (or something beginning with "Gas").
Kath. x
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KathleenBell
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17 Jul 2019 19:04 |
His medal cards:-
First name(s) Ralph Last name Mellor Year 1914-20 Service number 8268 Rank Private Regiment North Staffordshire Regiment Service record Soldier Number: 8268, Rank: Private, Corps: North Staffordshire Regiment Country Great Britain Medal type British Army Medal Index Cards, 1914-1920 Archive reference WO372/13 Archive reference description Campaign Medal Index Cards and Silver War Badge Cards Record set Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory Medal Rolls and Honours Collections from Great Britain, UK None
and:-
First name(s) Ralph Last name Mellor Service number 8268 Rank Private Badge number 168940 Enlistment date 25-Aug-1914 Discharge date 26-Mar-1917 Regiment/unit North Staffs Cause of discharge Transferred to Class P On Pension Whether served overseas Yes Badge date of issue 02-May-1917 Record set Silver War Badge Roll 1914-1920 Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory First World War Collections from England, Great Britain
Kath. x
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KathleenBell
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17 Jul 2019 19:06 |
Nothing coming up for Harry Stokes using the army number you quote.
Kath. x
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Eringobragh1916
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17 Jul 2019 20:43 |
Maybe this will help ..note prefix letter is G not S Reference: WO 372/19/69154
Description:
Medal card of Stokes, Harry
Corps
Regiment No
Rank
East Kent Regiment G-22536 Private
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KathleenBell
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17 Jul 2019 21:22 |
Ah, yes, this is him, although still only medal card:-
First name(s) Harry Last name Stokes Year 1914-20 Service number G-22536 Rank Private Regiment East Kent Regiment Service record Soldier Number: G-22536, Rank: Private, Corps: East Kent Regiment Country Great Britain Medal type British Army Medal Index Cards, 1914-1920 Archive reference WO372/19 Archive reference description Campaign Medal Index Cards and Silver War Badge Cards Record set Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory Medal Rolls and Honours Collections from Great Britain, UK None
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ArgyllGran
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17 Jul 2019 22:52 |
You say that all you know of Ralph is "he was my great granddad's brother and born in Staffordshire . . ."
Does that really mean you don't know about his birth and early life? Presumably you have researched your gr-grandfather's life already.
However, in case you don't have it:
Birth: MELLOR, RALPH mms STODDARD GRO Reference: 1864 S Quarter in LEEK Volume 06B Page 250
Ralph Mellor in the 1871 England Census Name: Ralph Mellor Age: 6 Estimated birth year: 1865 Relation: Son Gender: Male Where born: Butterton Staffordshire England Civil Parish: Allstonefield and Warslow Ecclesiastical parish: Warslow Town: Warslow County/Island: Staffordshire Country: England Registration district: Leek Sub-registration district: Longnor ED, institution, or vessel: 9 Household schedule number: 57 Piece: 2885 Folio: 103 Page Number: 11 Household Members: Name Age Rich Mellor 32 Sarah Mellor 32 Ann Mellor 8 Ralph Mellor 6 Eliza Mellor 4 Hannh M Dale 4 John H Dale 2
Ralph Mellor in the 1881 England Census Name: Ralph Mellor Age: 16 Estimated birth year: abt 1865 Relationship to Head: Servant Gender: Male Where born: Warslow Mill, Staffordshire, England Civil Parish: Fawfieldhead County/Island: Staffordshire Country: England Street address: Endon House Occupation: Farm Servant (Indoor) Registration district: Leek ED, institution, or vessel: 7 Neighbors: Piece: 2742 Folio: 73 Page Number: 5 Household Members: Name Age George Lawton 34 Mary Lawton 64 Ralph Mellor 16
Ralph Mellor in the 1911 England Census Name: Ralph Mellor Age in 1911: 47 Estimated birth year: abt 1864 Relation to Head: Husband Gender: Male Birth Place: Leek, Staffordshire, England Civil Parish: Rochdale County/Island: Lancashire Country: England Street address: 76 Church St Castleton Lancs Marital status: Married Occupation: Carter Registration district: Rochdale Registration District Number: 470 Sub-registration district: Castleton No. 2 ED, institution, or vessel: 15 Piece: 24633 Household Members: Name Age Ralph Mellor 47 Elizabeth Mellor 27
Ralph Mellor in the 1939 England and Wales Register Name: Ralph Mellor Gender: Male Marital status: Married Birth Date: 4 Sep 1864 Residence Year: 1939 Address: 14 Residence Place: Rochdale, Lancashire, England Occupation: Textile Machine Packe Schedule Number: 163 Sub Schedule Number: 1 Enumeration District: NNJF Registration district: Rochdale 470/2 Household Members: Name Ralph Mellor May Mellor - 1 May 1914
Births Jun 1914 MELLOR May (mms Robinson) Rochdale 8e 54
Marriages Dec 1907 (>99%) MELLOR Ralph Bucklow 8a 298 ROBINSON Elizabeth Bucklow 8a 298
Possible deaths of Ralph and daughter May ???
May Mellor in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: May Mellor Death Age: 25 Birth Date: abt 1915 Registration Date: Jan 1940 [Feb 1940] [Mar 1940] Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar Registration district: Littleborough Inferred County: Lancashire Volume: 8e Page: 241
Ralph Mellor in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: Ralph Mellor Death Age: 78 Birth Date: abt 1864 Registration Date: Oct 1942 [Nov 1942] [Dec 1942] Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec Registration district: Littleborough Inferred County: Lancashire Volume: 8e Page: 49
Death of wife Elizabeth ??
Deaths Sep 1968 (>99%) MELLOR ELIZABETH 82 LITTLEBORO 10D 101
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Rambling
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18 Jul 2019 14:40 |
Just for a bit of background
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitral_Expedition
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ErikaH
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19 Jul 2019 13:24 |
NO male births for Mellor/Stoddard apart from Ralph's on the GRO site.
So, whose 'brother' was he?
EDITED...........
PM received. Have asked the poster to reply on here
Posting PM for INFO
Yes I did know that some records had been destroyed, and I do know quite a bit about my gtuncle Harry but not his war service. So to find he had medals was a surprise. My ggranddad's brother was more of a shock as he was not talked about but my grandfather carried his name as a middle name, so Ggrandad Thomas must have thought of his brother!!! I have no idea when Ralph was born, and only guessing at Staffs as Thomas was born there as was a sister Clara. I do not know of any other siblings and now am doubting the father's name that I have been given as well. I have Thomas's father as Henry, and assumed Ralph and Clara where Henry's too. But from other info on this board that gives a Rich(ard) as Ralph's father. I have a lot more digging still to do. But thank you for responding. Any and all help very gratefully received.
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ErikaH
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19 Jul 2019 13:39 |
Virually everyone who served in WW1 got medals
Why do you think Ralph was related to your great-grandfather? Is there any documentary evidence?
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ErikaH
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19 Jul 2019 13:56 |
According to the OP's GR tree (and a few others), Harry was born in Erith in 1896,
Is this his birth?
STOKES, HARRY RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1897 M Quarter in DARTFORD Volume 02A Page 495
IF it is.................siblings
STOKES, ALICE RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1891 D Quarter in DARTFORD Volume 02A Page 450 STOKES, ROSA MAY RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1890 J Quarter in DOVER Volume 02A Page 941STOKES, WILLIAM HENRY RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1889 J Quarter in DARTFORD Volume 02A Page 474 STOKES, CLARA RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1888 M Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 554 STOKES, ELIZABETH RUTH RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1886 S Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 539 STOKES, FREDERICK RALPH RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1900 M Quarter in DARTFORD Volume 02A Page 510 STOKES, JAMES ALFRED RIGDEN GRO Reference: 1901 D Quarter in DARTFORD Volume 02A Page 532
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ErikaH
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19 Jul 2019 14:07 |
????????????
1901
Name: Harry Stoker [Harry Stokes] Age: 4 Estimated birth year: abt 1897 Relation to Head: Son Gender: Male Father: Thomas Stoker Mother: Mary Stoker Birth Place: Erith, Kent, England Civil Parish: Crayford Ecclesiastical parish: Christchurch Erith County/Island: Kent Country: England Registration district: Dartford Sub-registration district: Bexley ED, institution, or vessel: 47 Piece: 697 Folio: 168 Page Number: 24 Household schedule number: 128 Household Members: Name Age Thomas Stoker 49 Mary Stoker 46 Esther Stoker 21 Annie Stoker 16 Lizzie Stoker 14 Clara Stoker 13 William Stoker 11 Alice Stoker 9 Harry Stoker 4 Fred K Stoker 1 John Ridgeon F-I-L James Rainsburg 22
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ErikaH
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19 Jul 2019 15:07 |
1939
1 Myrtle Cottages Colyers Lane, Crayford U.D., Kent, England James A Stokes 1901 02 Oct 1901 Male Producer Of Artificial Building Materials (Cement) Married 5 1 Eliza E Stokes 1901 07 Nov 1901 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married 5 2 James A Stokes 1926 01 Dec 1926 Male At School Single 5 3 Harry Stokes 1896 26 Nov 1896 Male Salt Glaze Chemical Stoneware Acting Foreman Single 5 4
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ArgyllGran
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19 Jul 2019 17:19 |
A warning to everyone in case there's some sort of hacking thing going on with the GR boards -
I've received what at first glance would seem to be a GR notification of a PM from Merrick, except that Gmail put it into my spam box, whereas real GR PMs are allowed through to "normal" mail. The GR signature is wrong. On a real PM notification from GR, it has "The Genes Reunited Team" in handwriting-type font, in bold. This fake PM says "the genes reunited team" in ordinary type, with no capital letters, and not in bold.
I didn't click on "Click to read the reply" and have deleted the email.
(Just posting this here because it's Merrick's thread, and the PM supposedly was from Merrick.)
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Merrick
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20 Jul 2019 12:33 |
Thank you ArgllGran for pointing that out. I did not realise there was a problem with replying to any of you directly and thanking you for your assistance in tracking down my secretive and illusive ancestors.
I am a recent returner to Genes and just trying to get back into my family history again after a few bad years of family problems. I will in future only add a reply on the message board itself. Please let me assure you all I am not a hacker of any kind, all I am looking for is my ancestors, who they were, where they lived/ worked etc. And generally to put flesh on the bones of my family tree(s). I am sorry if I have caused any upset or inconvenience.
Regards Merrick
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ArgyllGran
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20 Jul 2019 13:14 |
No problem, Merrick. I wasn't suggesting that you were in any way to blame.
I imagine it's some sort of breach of GR's system.
(Or did you actually send me a private message, which I may have wrongly assumed was spam?)
We're all very happy to search for anyone's ancestors!
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Rambling
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20 Jul 2019 13:31 |
Just re the notification via GR of a PM from Merrick, I have just checked my spam box, and there is a notification there, which ties in with a PM from Merrick which I had already seen on here.
The email itself does appear to be genuinely from GR, that it is in my Spam box is not unusual, even in past continuous conversations via PM I have noted some go to my inbox and some for unknown reason go in my Spam. Odd!
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Merrick
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1 Aug 2019 11:01 |
The story re my grt grandfather Thomas Stokes nee Mellor, and his connection to Ralph Mellor go's as follows.
In the late 1890's ( some branches of the family believe this is what happened), Thomas Mellor was on route to fight in the Boar war. Thomas and several other men 'jumped ship' and in the process a murder was committed, (I assume the poor fellow trying to stop them deserting). Thomas and another man changed their surnames at this time and ended up in Australia. When they returned to England Thomas had an Australian wife and 2 children. Both men and Thomas's family settled in Erith/Slade Green area of Kent. And in 1901 Thomas received a royal pardon for his part in the desertion and murder.
Well that is how the story was told to me. But it did not sound right to me then, as I knew Queen Victoria died in 1901. I wrote to the Royal Archives c/o Buckingham Palace, briefly outlining the story and giving Thomas's name(s) as Mellor/ Mella or Stokes. After a few weeks I had a reply. The archives had been searched and there was no Royal Pardon in 1901 or surrounding years for anyone of that name. They suggested I try the MOD as they would be more likely to be of help. So I did wright to the MOD. Unfortunately they destroy the records after 100 years I was informed, so they could not help me either. When I went back to the relevant branch of the family with what I had learned, sadly they were not willing to speak any more now that I had proved their story incorrect.
Here is what I know about my grt grandfather Thomas Stokes nee Mellor. He was born 1852 Walsall Staffs and married Mary Ann Rigden in about 1876 Warwickshire. His name change had already happened by the time he wed. Their first child John Thomas was born and died in 1876 Warwickshire. Mary Ann Rigden was born 1856 Eastry Faversham Kent England (she was not Astralian) the daughter of John Rigden 1834 Dover Kent - 1913 Bridge Kent, and Eliza Rodd 1829 Paddington Middlesex - 1907 Paddington Middlesex. Between 1876 and 1901 Thomas and Mary Ann had 14 children, all born in England. Thomas died in 1912 and is buried in a church yard in Erith. Mary Ann died in 1933 and is also buried in the same church yard.
So Thomas had changed his name prior to the Boar war. He was married and had a family none of them born in Australia. Was he in the forces?. By the late 1890's he would have been coming up to 50 years of age. I know he had 2 siblings Clara and Ralph. Clara never married and Ralph apparently liked a drink! That was all I knew about Thomas's siblings, but I did assume they all had the same parents!!! At first I was lead to believe their parents were William and Elizabeth, but could find nothing in the way of census etc for them or the 3 children. Then I learned from an aunt that Thomas's father was Henry and his mother Mary, and that Henry had been transported to Australia for 6 years for stealing a paint brush. Mary had lived with or married a Charles Stokes and this is where Thomas took his name from.
In 1936 Thomas's sister Clara visited my grandparents Frederick and Ethel Stokes and my mum who was 4 years old didn't like grt aunt Clara as she was very old and moaning about why Thomas changed his name from Mellor. And because the old lady had a habit of spitting in the kitchen sink! Mum was glad when Clara went back home.
My Stokes cousin recently told me that her brother had got Ralph Mellor's campaign medals, and she couldn't understand why Thomas's branch of the family should have them. I asked her to copy the info for me, and I put a message on this board asking for help as I had been unable to find anything that linked Thomas, Clara and Ralph to the parents Henry and Mary. Even knowing about Thomas's name change, I was stumped.
Thanks to the ladies on this message board I now know a lot more about Ralph Mellor. And have a lot more info to follow up on. Namely was Ralph and Clara full or half siblings? The ladies on he have given me a new set of parents for Ralph. So is this the right person in the census's? I was given a marriage for Ralph and a daughter who sadly died young. I have also found another possible marriage for Ralph in Leek Staffs where he was born. So are their any children there? if this is even the right Ralph Mellor! I have a lot more digging to do to try and sort this branch of the family out.
Thank you to everyone for all your help in trying to find Ralph.
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