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The 1911 census posted earlier is for Frank Edward C Wilkins born 1899

There is no birth record on freebmd for Frank Sydney Wilkins

The only record on FMP of the full name is for the award of the General Service Medal. 1918-62 to a Private in the RASC, which fits with your father’s birth cert. Info

Hello Kay

Oh thank you for your work, it is possibly Frank! I was unable to find his death certificate on the GRO because the online record stops in 1957, or have I misunderstood?

Is there anywhere else to view it/order it? The death certificate would surely show his date of birth.

I gather the 1911 information comes from the Census. So you have possibly found the family of my grandfather! It's so nice to know that the names of my great grandparents were Frank and Esther! He built coaches, amazing. And there are also all the names of my great aunts and uncles! Wow, it's so nice to know that.

I'm not understanding your second post, though. Violet Goss, are you saying Lily was named Lily Violet Wilkins, and then her married surname was Goss?

Also, Anna M Boyle - my grandmother was definitely Annie, not Anna, so that seems to be a mix-up. ErikaH has posted that Annie died in Plymouth in 1994 and that her surname was Wilkins. That would be right as I remember my father telling me that she reached a good age when she died (90 yrs).

Hello Erika

Thank you also for your detective work. :-)

If it is Lily, I did not know that she was 13 years older than my father, that surprises me because I did meet her. I searched for her on the GRO with the date you gave me of 1926, one comes up in Bury which is no-where near Plymouth, but if they were a military family, all is possible I suppose.

The GRO charges £11 for the certificate but is there a way to check if it is indeed the right one, or do I just have to buy it and hope for the best? This could potentially be expensive if I choose the wrong ones.

For example, I found 9 entries for Davis, Annie born in 1904. :-( How do I know which one it is?
I also found her death certificate in 1994 as you mentioned, but the GRO won't let me order a PDF for this date, which is a pain because I live abroad.
Would the death certificate show her birth place details, so I could eliminate 8 of the 9 birth entries for her name in 1904?

Douglas, I don't think that is him as Annie's maiden name was DAVIS, not Gater. And yes, I considered that perhaps he could be the result of an extra-marital affair but although I cannot be sure, I don't think that was the case. If it was, he was given to Annie because all the children were raised together.

I apologise if I am asking obvious questions, complete beginner here...

Thank you Kay and Erikah for your work, I certainly know more than I did a few days ago. You are both so very kind.

Best wishes
Aurore :-)

Holy cr*p! I have just seen all the latest posts!

There is so much to take in.....it's a soap opera!

Ignore my previous post, there is so much new information to take in...and it's very late here, work in the morning, so I'll need to stop by tomorrow evening.

I knew nothing about all this! At least the Gibraltar link was true, I remember her as having a foreign accent but I was very young though, so perhaps I am mistaken. I do remember her chopping herbs in the kitchen when she stayed with us...fabulous to learn that she was a cook! And I also remember that she had a little effigy of the Virgin Mary in her room which contained holy water.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Various points from your post above [EDIT: but you've now said to ignore it! ]:

As Erika said, there is NO Anna Boyle on the 1939 register with Lily - that's a mistranscription.

The image shows Annie Wilkins, DOB 22/3/1904, .
[ EDIT / Correction: re Lily] -
Then Lily Wilkins - 1 Jan 1926. - with an amendment made in 1960 after her marriage, to add the names Violet and Goss
Then (on Ancestry) there are two closed records, who are either people who are still living, or whose deaths haven't been picked up by the Register.
However, Erika has shown that FMP's version of the 1939 entry has Lily's name not closed - FMP are often a little more up to date than Ancestry with the 1939 Register.
Then there's Douglas A Wilkins, 21/4/1936, followed by another closed record.


Re Franks' possible death in 1959 -

yes, there's a gap in death records on the GRO site, from 1957 to 1984 - but you can find the intervening deaths on FreeBMD:
https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl


Annie's death cert would not show her birthplace.

If the DOB for Annie, as shown on her death record, is accurate - and remember, info on a death cert is only as good as what the informant believes to be true -

there are five possible births:

DAVIS, ANNIE mmn PITCHFORD
GRO Reference: 1904 M Quarter in SOUTHWELL Volume 07B Page 493

DAVIS, ANNIE mmn LILLEY
GRO Reference: 1904 M Quarter in STOKE UPON TRENT Volume 06B Page 275

DAVIS, ANNIE mmn LISSUS
GRO Reference: 1904 J Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 243

DAVIS, ANNIE mmn CLARKE
GRO Reference: 1904 J Quarter in ASTON Volume 06D Page 326

DAVIS, ANNIE mmn THOMPSON
GRO Reference: 1904 J Quarter in GATESHEAD Volume 10A Page 1105


This is also assuming that she was born in England/Wales.

If she had a Spanish (presumably Gibraltar accent) then perhaps she was born in Gibraltar.

AG,

The birthplace will show if it was known in 1994 when Annie Wilkins died.,,,,,,,

Dawn all info found is only whats there and only proof it determin if its 100% correct.and 100% proof can only be got by often by buying it .such as Certificates.

The Franks marriage in 1931 the certificate can be bought via the GRO site.

The additional notes on1939 are for LILY - not for Annie

The DoB on Annie’s death record matches 1939

The 1931 marriage cert is ESSENTIAL if you want to progress accurately with BOTH Frank and Annie

When Annie Gater went to Gibraltar in 1929 (mentioned earlier by ErikaH), her last UK address was Whiteleaf, Princes Risborough, Bucks.

She had previously arrived in Britain in 1928, heading for Lauriston, 38 Wendover Road, Aylesbury, Bucks.
She's listed as "housewife", and her "country of last permanent residence" was Gibraltar.
She's travelling alone, 2nd class.

Mrs Annie Gater
in the UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
Name: Mrs Annie Gater
Arrival Age: 24
Birth Date: abt 1904
Port of Departure: Yokohama, Japan [ Annie joined the ship in Gibraltar ]
Arrival Date: 18 Sep 1928
Port of Arrival: London, England
Ports of Voyage: Marseilles; Gibraltar; Singapore; Hong Kong
Ship Name: Atsuta Maru
Shipping Line: Nippon Yusen Kaisha
Official Number: 11597

Incoming passenger list,

1932,12 May.

Wilkins Annie , aged 28, HD...(house duties)?
Wilkins Edward -infant 3 mths..


Departed from--- Gibralter.----dis-embarked Plymouth.

intended to----22 Garden Street,Morice Town,Devonport.

More info from that newspaper report -
Harry Gater of 17 Pitt Street, Burslem, Staffs summoned before Police court
Re Maintenance for wife and 2 children, provisional order made in Gibraltar
Evidence read which wife made in Gib. she stated born in Gib. 22. March 1904 and was married to defendant at King's Chapel, Gib. 4 sept. 1922. Defendant at time a Private sit Battalion North Staffs. Regiment.
Lived Gib. for 1 month after marriage then he was sent to Constantinople and then India for c 3 years. Defendant sent to England January 1925
First child born while he was in India and she in Domestic service in Gib. Joined him in England May 1925.
Said happy whilst apart, wrote and she asked to join him in England. He said unemployed but as soon as had job, saved money, would send for her.
Heard nothing so came to England and he met her at Tilbury Docks but attitude changed.
Seems she returned to Gibraltar with ill child, he didn't want to go.
Magistrates confirmed the order for payment.

There's more but no relevant details

Will download article and send by PM - watch your personal email in box

A tree on Ancestry , apparently well backed up by documentary evidence, says he was Franklin Sydney Wilkins, born 8 Jan 1900, in Penang Straits Settlement, Malaysia.

Father: Alfred Edward Wilkins, born 19 Oct 1858, Alverstoke, Hants.
In 1880 Alfred went to India with the army, and married Mary Grace Hogan in 1884, in Cananore, Madras.

One son, Charles Hogan Wilkins, born in India.

1886 the family moved to Malaya when Alfred joined the Colonial Police.
All their other children were born there.

Margaret/Margery 1887; Hope Beatrice 1889; Frederick Edward 1893; Marguerite Enid 1896; William George 1897; Franklin Sydney 1900; Ernest 1903.

Alfred died in Shanghai, date unknown.
"Alfred was sent to Shanghai on an investigation with the Colonial Police and never returned. "

His wife Mary Grace Hogan was born 1860 in Bangalore.
Died 1903 Malaya - at or near the birth of Ernest.


The tree goes back another 2 or 3 generations for both Alfred and Mary.


Annie Gater (nee Davis) was born in Gibraltar 22 /3 /1904.
Parents: Alfred Davis and Maria Hernandez.
No further details about her parents.

Siblings all born in Gibraltar: Rose 1905, Mary 1906; John 1909, William 1910;

Lots of military info re Franklin, from his army record and "family information".

First name(s) Harry
Last name Gater
Marriage year 1922
MarriageFinder™ Harry Gater married one of these people
Annie Davis
Marriage place Gibraltar
Records year range 1922

Archive reference ARM2
Page 19
Line number 40

Archive General Register Office
Record set British Armed Forces And Overseas Banns And Marriages
Place type Place
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Country Gibraltar
Subcategory Civil Marriage & Divorce
Type Armed Forces
Collections from Great Britain, UK None
Source Gro Index Army Marriages (1881 To 1955)

The tree mentions that Annie and Henry Gater had (as well as Violet Lily - 1/4/1926 Gibraltar) a daughter Dolly Annie - 13 Jan 1923 Gibraltar.

So this is Annie and Dolly:

Mrs A Gater
in the UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960
Name: Mrs A Gater
Gender: Female
Departure Age: 21
Birth Date: abt 1904
Departure Date: 25 Jul 1925
Departure Port: England
Ship Name: Orsova
Shipping Line: Orient Line
Destination Port: Gibraltar
Master: Captain C G Matheson

Travelling with Miss D A Gater, age 2.
Last UK address: 26 Lower Street, Burslem, Staffs.


They had arrived in the UK earlier that year .
The tree says:

"Arrival
9 Apr 1925 • London, England
Travel: Mrs A GATER 21 & daughter age 2 Gibraltar to London. UK address 17 Pitt St, Burslem, Stoke on Trent [Note: this is the home of Annie's husband Harry GATER's family]"


UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
Name Mrs A Gater
Arrival Age 21
Birth Date 1904
Port of Departure Brisbane, Australia
Arrival Date 9 Apr 1925
Port of Arrival London, England
Ports of Voyage
Melbourne; Sydney; Adelaide; Colombo; Port Said; Naples; Toulon; Fremantle; Plymouth, Devon, England
Ship Name Ormonde
Shipping Line Orient Steam Navigation Company Ltd
Official Number 141866


Dolly came back to England in 1940:

"Departure
29 Jul 1940 • Gibraltar
Evacuation from Gibraltar to UK on The Belgravian All residents of 62 Flat Bastion Rd, Gibraltar GATER Dolly 17, DAVIS Alfred 66 &DAVIS Maria 53 [Dolly's grandparents], FLEETHAM Walter 16 HERNANDEZ Ana 88 [Dolly's great grandmother] & PAYNE Ada "

Married Alberto M Beiso, in 1942, Kensington.

The tree says they later went to Brisbane, but doesn't offer proof of that, and no date of death for Dolly or Alberto.

Incoming passengers,
1928,18th September.
Dis-embarked London..

Mrs Annie Gater aged 24,,alone.housewife.dep--Gibralter,---
going to,

Lauriston 38 Wendover Road,Aylesbury,
intended to live -England.



Name Annie Davis
Sex Female
Spouse's Name Gater
Possible Spouse's Name Harry Gater
Marriage Date 1922
Marriage Place Gibraltar, Gibraltar
Marriage Place (Original) GIBRALTAR, GIBRALTAR
Source Collection Title GRO Index Army Marriages (1881 to 1955)
Line Number 55
Page 19
Reference ARM2
Affiliate Publication Title British nationals armed forces marriages 1796-2005

Frank Sydney Wilkins S/8093 Private 1924 Royal Army Service Corps





Royal Army Service Corps. The Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) was the unit responsible for keeping the British Army supplied with provisions. The exceptions were weaponry and ammunition, which were supplied by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. View this object. Army Service Corps …


I dont know if this is the same Frank,

The tree on Ancestry is "William Johnston Family Tree" - owner is Emma6110.

Frank's military history, from the tree , as already mentioned:


Military
13 Apr 1918
Private Frank WILKINS no 205187 captured by the German Army at Eglise and taken as a POW [Note of interest - The 16th Kings Royal Rifle Corps was fighting the German Army at Neuve Eglise on the 13th & 14th April. It was a German victory)

Military
28 Jun 1918
Private F S WILKINS 205187 Kings Royal Rifle Corps listed as missing. Next of kin address Secunderabad, India.

Military
7 Oct 1918
Private Frank WILKINS No 205187 of the 16th Kings Royal Rifles captured 13 Apr 1918 K Eglise (probably near Ypres, Belgium). Unwounded. Born London 8.1.99 Next of kin Mr GOODHALL 118 Hoppers Rd, Winchmore Hill, London .

Military
7 Jan 1919
Private F S WILKINS 205187 Kings Royal Rifle Corps . POW released from Germany & arrived in England


Military
1923 • Europe


Military
2 Aug 1924
Frank Sydney WILKINS S/8093 private Royal Army Service Corps dob 01/08/1900 awarded the Iraq Clasp for services in the region


Military
Dec 1927
A member of his family says that Frank was serving in the army and was at Port Sudan, on the Red Sea in Dec 1927.


1936
Frank Sydney WILKINS awarded Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. Dob 01/08/1900. Served with Royal Army Service Corps S/8093, Kings Royal Rifle Corps A/205817 & Army Service Corps ES/50462

Military
12 May 1937
Private F S WILKINS S. 8092 awarded King George V1 1937 Coronation Medal




These records are offered as proof, but much is "family information":

Frank S Wilkins
in the UK, British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
Name: Frank S Wilkins
Military Date: 1914-1920
Military Place: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, United Kingdom
Regiment or Corps: King's Royal Rifle Corps, Army Service Corps, Army Service Corps, Army Service Corps
Regimental Number: A/205187, Es/50462, S/8093, S/8093


Frank Sydney Wilkins
in the UK, World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920
Name: Frank Sydney Wilkins
Military Year: 1914-1920
Rank: Acting Staff Sergeant
Company: WO 329
Regiment or Corps: Royal Army Service Corps
Regiment Number: ES/50462
Medal Awarded: British War Medal and Victory Medal


Frank Sydney Wilkins
in the UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949
Name: Frank Sydney Wilkins
Service Date: 1793-1815 [Mistake by Ancestry ]
Service Place: Europe
Campaign or Service: Napoleonic Wars [ Mistake by Ancestry ]
Regiment or Unit Name: Royal Army Service Corps
Regimental Number: S/8093

That third record is dated 1924.
The mention of Napoleonic Wars isn't on the image , of course - it's the screen title given by Ancestry for the image, but is wrong.

Info from the marriage cert - per the tree:

Marriage
19 Aug 1931 • Registar's Office, Gibraltar

Frank Sydney WILKINS age 32 bachelor Private R.A.S.C of Town Range Barracks, Gibraltar
F: Edward Albert WILKINS (deceased) soldier

Annie GATER formerly DAVIS Gibraltarian of 10 Armstrong Buildings 27 divorced, cook
F: Alfred DAVIS Dockyard Constable.

Lily's death:

GOSS, VIOLET LILY 1926
GRO Reference: DOR Q4/2018 in PLYMOUTH (416-1A) Entry Number 518037436

Date 12 Oct 2018, per the tree.

First name(s) Frank Sidney

Last name Wilkins
Death date 30 Mar 1959
Death year 1959
Registry Bodmin
County Devon
Country England
Probate year 1959
Probate date 20 May 1959
Residence town Plymouth


Frank of 77 Abbotsbury Way Ham Estate Plymouth died 30 March 1959 ADMINISTRATION Bodmin to Annie Wilkins widow Effects £660 13s 6d.

Hello. I am overwhelmed at the sheer amount of information you all have discovered. It is truly astonishing! How are you doing it? You are either experts or magic folk or both!

I have one million questions but these particular ones are foremost in my mind at this moment:

There was mention of a son of Annie and Frank Wilkins in a post by Kay:
Edward Wilkins born during the 1st quarter of 1932. I have never heard of him. He would have been the Ist child of their union I imagine, as they were married in 1931. Two sons followed, Douglas in 1936 and Ronald (my father) in1939. That just leaves John...

Is there any mention of a John Wilkins being born to Annie and Frank Wilkins? I remember meeting an Uncle John only once in 1979, with his wife Auntie Sheila; they inscribed a large children's animal encyclopedia which I still have. I think they emigrated to Australia, which may be true as Dolly (John's aunt, Annie Wilkins' sister) may have gone there with her husband, Alberto, as mentioned in a post by AG.

Perhaps though, John is the missing Edward, and his second name was John which he preferred to use?

My father, Ronald Eric Wilkins died in May 2015. You have told me that his half-sister (Violet) Lily Goss née Gater, died in October 2018. I believe that Uncle Doug(las) Wilkins died in the 70s or 80s; I remember him a little, he stayed with us when I was perhaps 5 years old. I think that he was in the Merchant Navy or like my father, in the RFA. I do not think that he was married but if he was, it was before he came to live with us for a while.

I was so excited to see that the Gibraltar connection was true and that my great grandmother and great-great grandmother on Annie's side were Maria Hernandez and Ana Hernandez respectively. ¡Ay caramba!

You cannot know how exciting this all is, I kept waking up during the night thinking about it! My parents divorced when I was very young, and I knew hardly anything regarding my father's family, so this is so AMAZING to me, you have no idea how much!

Thank you, sincerely. :-)