Another pair of eyes on the census please!

[Christine in Herts]

That would tend to make him hard to find!

Christine

[Christine in Herts]

There's a George H BRADFORD who's living in Kent in 1891 - b Portsmouth. A policeman.
By 1901 he's in Maidstone as a police sergeant - b St Martins, London!
His wife is Louise/a.

In 1911 he's on a police pension, in Gillingham, Kent, married 32 years... and b Portsmouth.

Christine

[Christine in Herts]

There's a Medway marriage on FreeBMD for George BRADFORD to a Louisa HALL 1878q2.

It's on the IGI: 19 MAY 1878 at Gillingham. So it's likely to be on MedwayCityArk. The witnesses might tell you something?

Christine

[Elaine ..Spain]

Thanks Christine. I will check him out.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Found the marriage certificate on CityArk and although the witnesses are of no help, he gives his father as Charles Bradford, Principal Warden.

His father Charles (Bouverie) was in fact Principal Warden of Portsea Convict Prison so I feel I might be on the right track here.

George's occupation on the MC is Soldier of 2nd 5th Fusiliers. He seems to have had a mixed career!

[Elaine ..Spain]

In 1911 he's on a police pension, in Gillingham, Kent, married 32 years... and b Portsmouth.

That must be him Christine. The address on the 1911 census is 16 Greenfield Road, Gillingham.

The entry in the Probate Calendar for George Henry Bouverie is also 16 Greenfield Road, Gillingham.

Isn't it good when it all links up .... eventually! Thank you very much for all your help.

[Christine in Herts]

There's a George Bradford who joined up to the 1/17th Foot in January 1870, aged 17, born Marylebone. He has a wife née Mary ROCHE, married Portsea 8 May 1882, and two children: Ada 23.8.86 (bap 3.9.86) Lucknow and George Henry 16.11.90 (bap 28.11.90) Aden. He seems to have served overseas continuously from 30 Nov 1870 to 9 March 1882, and 12 Sepr 1883 to 5 Jan 1891.

That tends to suggest that this isn't your man.

Christine

[Christine in Herts]

"George Bradford" seems to have been a popular name... I've found another one whose name is "Thomas BIGMORE", but for whom "George Bradford" is an alias.

Christine

[Elaine ..Spain]

I did check on FMP to see if there were any Army records but couldn't see anything that looked relevant.

[HowardT]

Elaine, I am the great grandson of George Henry Bouverie. George as you say in your post married Matilda Hills. They separated some time after the marriage. George joined the Royal Navy serving in HMS Belaphrone for about 3 months.

He then left the Navy and at some time, no details known joined the British Army. Period of service unknown. Divorce at this time was not available. George changed his name to Bradford. I ask the question was running away from his marriage?
George then marries Henrietta Wraight was this marriage bigamous.

George then joins the Kent constabulary. He retires as an Inspector. He works at Chatham dockyard as a machinist. He had four children with Henrietta. Emily, Henrietta, George and Frederic.

This is a short version of my research. Let know if you want more info. Best regards HowardT.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Hi Howard- thanks for message and email. Will be in touch soon.