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If anyone is adept at American researches, I may need a little help.

Henry H Alexander was actually registered to the RNVR during the war as a bombardier in squadron 810 among others. He won a DSC before 1942. Possibly on the HMS Illustrious. The reason I couldn't find a thing about him before or maybe after the war is that he is probably American.

Bombardier is an American expression, the English registered themselves as Bomb Aimers. The service records match up to him enlisting around 1940. He had the name Charles Alexander as a witness on his marriage certificate to Vera Collins. The US enlistment records show a Henry H Alexander enlisting in North Carolina in 1940 and Charles Alexander enlisted the year after in 1941. Both records show they came from Franklin in North Carolina. I've tried the us census and births, but nothing seems to match. Fresh eyes and ideas would help me greatly, if anyone has ideas.

Also does Marjorie Sendall (nee Collins) show up after 1940? I have her marriage to Herbert and her marriage to Skeet, but wondered who she lived with between those dates.

The birth is likely on Familysearch of the Henry H Alexander b 1921 on US military records, but I don't think it is yours, if other records on there are correct he was in the US as there are births of children to that name 1944 & 46

edit can you post a link to where you found the US record please as I'm possibly looking at the wrong one.

There is no Henry H Alexander on 1930 US census with a father called Herbert,

Where did you get this info from ? it really doesn't sound likely if he was an American.


"Henry H Alexander was actually registered to the RNVR during the war as a bombardier in squadron 810 among others. He won a DSC before 1942. Possibly on the HMS Illustrious. "

I haven't looked into anything yet, but like Nyx I am a little confused.

Bombardier is not just an American term- here's an example from the newspapers (Despite it saying aged 26- this Henry was Henry G Alexander born 1915 West Derby):

Liverpool Evening Express - Tuesday 04 September 1945
Bombardier H. ALEXANDER
'Arrived safely at India. Hope to be home soon,” is the text of a cablegram Mr. and Mrs. Alexander, of 16, Watts-lane, Bootle, have received from their son, Bombardier Henry Alexander, R.A., aged 26, who has been released from camp in Thailand. He was taken prisoner at Singapore in 1942....

Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 15 October 1945
...Four of the ex-prisoners of war who arrived yesterday were Liverpool men. They were Bombardier H G Alexander of Watts Lane, Bootle....Bombardier Alexander was welcomed by his parents...
-----------------------------------------------------

Previously you said he served with the Pioneer Corp during the war. You then later said on his marriage he was listed as Bombardier of the British Army.

Now you have him as serving in the Royal Naval Reserve?

What is the exact wording of his occupation on his marriage certificate and the births certificates for his children?

What were the addresses where the children were born?

Austin, it's confusing I know. I'll tell you what I have to go on.

Henry Harry Alexander is listed as 22 on his marriage certificate in 1942. They lived in Mitchell Street Croydon. In 1943 my father was born at 15 Sutherland Stret Croydon.

He is LBombardier on the marriage certificate and a driver in 1943 (ex army). The Pioneer Corps say that his army service number is not one of theirs, so I crossed that out three days ago. They thought he might be Royal Artillery but when I researched the war records HH Alexander pops up in the RNVR. The dates he served tie in with the dates that he appeared to be with my grandmother. But the only complete records I seemed to find are during the war - father Herbert and family with Charles in it.

There seemed a possibility that my grandfather COULD have joined up overseas. So I searched US military records and found a Charles and Henry H Alexander signed up in N Carolina. But there are no births register to Henry Alexander to a father Herbert though. Maybe it's the wrong one - I don't know. The American link would explain a lot. Maybe they weren't American but signed up there.

I found the records for the RVNR ships register but for the life of me, I can't find them again now. I SSed them!

Bear with me as I'm a learner genealogist. I know that my father's adoption was arranged by a naval officer in Chatham. The adopted family worked at the Dock Yard in Chatham. So navy connections there now might make sense.

My father was adopted in 1946 and his sister born to the same father in 1947. so my grandfather must have been born around 1920-1921 and with a father Herbert. Herbert was listed as a glass packer. In 1947, Sandra's birth was registered to a 27 Whitecoat Street in London. But by 1949, Vera had her first child with Herbert Sendall. They lived at the Sutherland address in Croydon which I know know was owned by Herbert.

Deborah, I'm sorry to keep asking questions but sometimes the key to research is in the small details.

Above, you have LBombardier on the marriage- is that correct? If so this would be Lance Bombardier.

Does the marriage certificate or the children's birth certificates have any service numbers on them- where does the service number you have come from?

Also, could you just confirm the address where Sandra was born was WHITECOAT STREET? (I'm not seeing this road in Islington). What was Henry's occupation on Sandra's birth certificate?

Also the address your father was born- did you mean Sutherland ROAD?

You do not get a lance bombardier in the navy.

Lance Bombardier is a rank of non-commissioned officer in an artillery regiment of the British army, corresponding to that of a lance corporal in the infantry.

Ranks in the British army can indicate which regiment they are in - Lance Bombardier indicates an artillery regiment, unfortunately there are several. The naval links are false trails. At the moment of his marriage he was in the army.

As asked for before - what's his occupation on the birth certs. to see if he was still in the army.

Not finding much, no deaths for a Herbert George Alexander ( father) between 1921 and 42 in England,

The Kathleen A Francis witness on marriagecert is 'probably' the one who is living in Islington in 1939 ( born 1911 as K A Busby) , but gets no where really.

Austin, questions are fine. I appreciate the help.

On marriage certificate it says L/bombardier no 1431707. HM Army (Capstah operator) residence 18 Mitchell Street.

March 1943 the occupation is listed as Engineers Caster (ex army) at 15 Sutherland Road (not Street).

In 1947, he was registered as a amolon/maton driver (!?! I can't decipher this) and then in brackets it says Builders. This was with an address of 27 Whitecoat Street Islington - which by my research does not exist anymore but maybe was prefabs after the war? Vera registered the second birth and Henry registered the first birth.

Thanks Deborah-

Nyx- if you have access to FMP can you see what the military record is for Henry Alexander using number 1431707. I can see the result but can't open it

Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Henry Alexander
Event 1938
No. 1431707

Just wondered if it gave any extra details

Sorry for delay Austin, I was going through lists of Alexanders lol

only other info on that entry is that he was "discharged 12-11-'42... above that in red is HAAS but it is crossed through in the same lighter red as the discharge is written

Thank you Nyx :-)

So just Henry- no H initial.

I suspect the Harry was just his preferred name and not a middle name.

Alexander
Age -
Birth year -
Birth place -
Attestation year 1938
Service number 1431707
Former service number -
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Regimental & service recordsCollections from Great Britain, UK None
brightsolid online publishing ltd..


So within about a year of marriage he was a civilian.

HAA/S.?=Heavy anit aircraft/= possibly ground search light op.?

Discharged-12/11/42.

Putting this here while I look into it, wondering if this is the Charles named on marriage cert ???

White (Alexander) Household (2 People)
18 Baring Street , Islington, London, England

Charles Alexander 14 May 1911 Builders Labourer H S
Nellie White (Alexander) 19 Sep 1918 Meat Traders Single

Nellie ( Ellen?) married, Marriages Jun 1942 (>99%)
Alexander Ellen R White Finsbury 1b 1022
White James A Alexander Finsbury 1b 1022

EDIT she is the daughter of the family I found prev' Alexander/Walker from Holborn...
First name(s) NELLIE R
Last name ALEXANDER
Birth year 1918
Birth quarter 4
Registration month -
Mother's last name Walker
District Holborn
County London
Country England
Volume 1B
Page 731


which brings me back to the brother of the above Nellie, ie Henry F Alexander born 1920 Holborn, father Herbert.... :-S

HARRY
Last name ALEXANDER
Birth year 1920
Birth quarter 1
Registration month -
Mother's last name Rothman
District London City
County London
Country England
Volume 1C
Page 11
Record set England & Wales Births 1837-2006
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Births & baptisms
Collections from Great Britain, England,

just another mix.

But Kay- father of that Harry is Morris. We're looking for a father Herbert George.

1937/8 electoral register for 18 Baring Street:

Albert Alexander
Charles Alexander
George Albert Alexander
Elizabeth King
William Edward King