Genealogy Chat

What a fascinating story! Thankyou so much for sharing it. All the effort and interest shown by members on here shows the true spirit of those who are totally committed to finding out about our past, and in particular what happened to this poor little girl. I hope you are able to trace her family. Well done everyone and thankyou, I look forward to reading more. Frances

nudging to bookmark

Her death certificate will give information about her parents at the time of death.

What a sad little story, but so I am gripped by it. How terrible for little Patricia and her family, but spare a thought for the poor little girl that was with her. How terrified she must have been?! Shirls

I wonder if Patricia was born at Woolwich because her father was based at the barracks there?

There is also another possibility with regard to her father's occupation. Many men who lived along the banks of the Thames were involved with the shipping and therefore in reserve occupations. It was preferred that these men didnot enlist but stayed in there jobs because the shipping was vital. My father worked for the Port of London Authority and had to stay in his job. Just another thought.

Facsinating story...........I wait with baited breath Bless her little heart Sue x

All I’ve been to Woolwich this morning and got Patricia’s birth certificate. 1934 Births in the Sub-District of Plumstead in the County of London No.: 390 When & Where Born: Twelfth March 1934 St Nicolas Hospital Name: Patricia Sex: Girl Name & Surname of Father: William Armstrong Name & Maiden Surname of Mother: Henrietta Maud Armstrong formerly Wilson Rank or Profession of Father: Ex Gunner R.A. of 22 Engineer Road Woolwich Signature, Description and Residence of Informant: W. Armstrong Father 22 Engineer Road Woolwich When Registered: Seventh April 1934 Signature of Registrar: M Taylor Registrar Thanks Rachel

Well Done Rachel !!!

Rachel you are a star, Pauline

Hi Paul and Everyone, I am caught up with this sad tale and have found the marriage of Patricia's parents. William Armstrong married Henrietta M Wilson AMJ 1933 Woolwich 1d 2308. Now I will search for siblings Keep up the great work Paul and All, Joan

Have checked for siblings 1935 and 1936. None show in Woolwich, although Armstrong seems to be popular in the North East. Joan

None in 1937 either. Joan

No births in 1938 either, Joan

Or 1939, Joan. Going shopping now x

Could be that he died (as a civilian) shortly after his daughter was born and therefore no other children? People could have assumed that as the mother was a widow that he was killed in the War but it might have been before then. I wonder what became of her and whether she ever remarried and found some happiness?

Hi All, Many thanks to Bo who kindly bought Patricia's birth certificate and has posted the details. A very big thank you for sending me a copy of it. There should be a number of clues in it. 1) Ex gunner RA. Royal Artillery? If so would not have likely been in the RAF 2. Name is still given as William Armstrong just as in the marriage index. No middle name 3. Know for certain that Henrietta was Patricia's mum and as already posted was born 1912 , Wilson, Henrietta Potts Poplar 1c 880 4. Trawled through the Death Index on Ancestry from Jan 1933 to Dec 1943 and can find no record of a death of a William Armstrong. 5. Contacted Cardiff & The Vale Coroner's Office and ask if I could obtain a copy of the Inquest Report. They advised me to speak with the Glamorgan Records Office. Unfortunately GRO do not have any copies of inquest reports prior to about 1952. Looks like it's going to be a trudge through the newspapers. Bye for now Paul

A regular soldier who had done his time in the 1930's would have been called up as a reservist in the second World War. Therefore he may well have died in France in 1940 or maybe in the Western Desert after 1940. The earlier suggestion about being based at Woolwich is a good one if he was an artilleryman.

Will be offline for few days and just want to keep tab on this very interesting thread. Bel

hello all a nudge to keep this sad litle tale at the top. regards stacy