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My grandmother was in barnados in 1920, I am trying to trace her mother, Hilda Mizen (also illegitimate), born 1902 and died in childbirth in the workhouse in August 1920. I have found one entry but don't know if it's her. Her father was J McCarthy, Regimental no 41449, Gunner, RFA No 1 Cornwall Fire Command, I can't find any military records on file, and nothing on 1911 census. Any help you could give would be appreciated

Dont quite understand the info

is this Hildas death
Deaths Sep 1920
MIZEN Hilda 18 Bury St.E. 4a 728

so b circa 1902 ??

this would her her daughter then ??

Births Dec 1920

Mizen Hilda M Mizen Bury St.E. 4a 1692

So where does J McCarthy come in ?

Just to make it clear (to me) was J McCarthy the father of Hilda b1902? If so, where did you get his name from and do you know anything else about him, eg where and when he was born?

Thingoe is also in Suffolk so is this Hildas birth ?


Births Dec 1902

MIZEN Hilda Ruth Thingoe 4a 920

That's her - My great grandmother. She was apparently illegitimate as well. I can only find one entry in 1902 for a Hilda Ruth Mizen (birth) but I don't know if this is her. My grandmother's putative father, J McCarthy placed her in barnados when she was 9 weeks old as he was being posted from Falmouth. I;m sorry I am new to this

what was her mothers name please ?

Sorry, have just repled to your first post. J McCarthy is listed on Barnados records as putative father, but not on my grandmorthers birth certificate. McCarthy is father of child born to Hilda Mizen in 1920. Have no further ino on his other than regimental number 41449, and he was a Gunner with RFA No1 Cornwall Fire command. Have no idea where he came from

You may have to get the 1902 birth cert to see if it shows both parents,Cant see Hilda on the 1911 census

Reply to Lindsey

My grandmother's name was Hilda M Mizen (M stands for McCarthy we think)
My great grandmother's name was also Hilda Mizen (we assume the orphanage named her after her mother, she died aged 18 on the day my grandmother was born) in August 1920.

Any idea how I can find out about J McCarthy (father), are the records complete as I can't find his regimental number

Sorry I meant Hilda born 1902 mother

No idea of name of her mother. I have found a birth entry for a Hilda in 1902 in Thingoe, but was not sure it was her, am in process of trying to obtain her birth certificate

Anyone know how I can find out about a J Mccarthy Regimental No 41449, RFA No 1 Cornwall Fire Brigade. Is regimental number his service number or a number attached to regiment

The number would be his Regimental Number, ie attached to that regiment. If he was transferred to another regiment the number would change.

Several J McCarthys coming up on Ancestry - none with that No., not even a medal card.

you could try this site
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1729

or the National Archives Kew

As he was in there still in 1920 it doesnt sound like a specifically WW1 record

I agree with you Shirley, but there would be no way that Nina could get his service record after 1920 unless she can trace his descendants.

If he served in WW1, he should have a medal card. These are from the National Archives and it is odd that there are 3 men with the same number:

Medal card of Rooke, Fred
Corps: Royal Field Artillery
Regiment No: 41449
Rank: Driver...
1914-1920 WO 372/17
Medal card of Morgan, John O
Corps: Royal Field Artillery
Regiment No: L/41449
Rank: Gunner
1914-1920 WO 372/14
Medal card of Quinn, James
Corps: Royal Field Artillery
Regiment No: 41449
Rank: Driver
1914-1920 WO 372/16

I wonder if RFA is not Royal Field Artillery but Royal Fleet Auxillary?

I am trying to find the above medal cards on Ancestry but not having much luck!

All we know is that he was posted from Falmouth, after leaving his child with barnados at 9 weeks old, but apparently he paid 10/6 to barnados from his salary to cover the cost of her keep. Barnados have no other information but it seems quite a lot of money for a gunner to pay. I will try the website you suggest. Thanks

Thank you so much for your help with all this.

Ok, found records for all the above on Ancestry - the only one who is a gunner is John O Morgan - he was awarded the Victory and British Medals, Roll No RFA/168b, Page 13541.