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This man died in 1923 in Manchester; we think he was born James William Pepper, but changed his name during World War I. Does anyone have any further information about him, please?

Gary & Suzanne

What age was he when he died ?.

He was born between 1877-1880

Births Sep 1879
Pepper James William Sheffield 9c 555


Births Mar 1880
PEPPER James William Auckland 10a 188

What info have you got that he might be Pepper?

I know that he was a soldier in ww1, and he became James Hayes to re enlist. He was originally J W Pepper and I think died as James Hayes in Hulme. I need to know anything about his new identity, but he was definitely born 1880 Bishop Auckland as J W Pepper

I know that he was a soldier in ww1, and he became James Hayes to re enlist. He was originally J W Pepper and I think died as James Hayes in Hulme. I need to know anything about his new identity, but he was definitely born 1880 Bishop Auckland as J W Pepper

There's no death for 1923 to match your Definate birth year of 1880 for a James Hayes or a Pepper.

Just so we're on the right track.Did he marry Hannah Robinson 1st June 1903 ?.

James William Pepper did marry a Hannah Robinson; however in 1915 he changed his name to James Hayes, to re-enlist in the army. We have a pension record from Hannah Blenkinsop to prove the change of name. We also have a pension record for James Hayes (i.e. the same man), giving his year of birth as 1877; plus a death certificate for a James Hayes (d. 1923 at 40 Boston Street, Hulme, Manchester), listing him as an 'army pensioner'.

Basically, we need to find out if this was James William Pepper (including exactly whose identity - i.e. which James Hayes - he stole). 40 Boston Street was in fact the address on the pension forms - thus there is a 50% chance that this is our man, but we want to discover more about the real James Hayes. Thank you for your interest

On the pension record you have you say 1877 is the given birth year.

The death index state's that there was a James Hayes born c 1877 and died 1923,registered @Chorlton,Lancs.

What age doe's it state on his death certificate?

The death certificate we have does have the age at 46 but we are worried that this could still be the real James Hayes and not James William Pepper. We think that there is a real James Hayes who was born in 1877 and James William stole the identity of that man. The informant was listed as Helen Hayes but I can find no record of her. I would also like to know how to find the grave of the man who died in Chorlton. We are frustrated because although we feel sure we have the right man we know there is something we are missing.

Try contacting Southern Cemetry - South Manchester. The biggest in Manchester and it is so near to Chorlton

Forgot the phone number for you. It is
0161 881 5269

Thank you so much Julie. We will definitely do that. Will they be able to tell you where the grave is?

Try the "Manchester City council" web site for burial record's and related info..that may help you.

Thanks for that help. We have been researching for months and months and any help we can get is warmly received

Hi,Can you tell me the date/year on the pension Form's?

Hi,
The only pension form we could find states that he was living at 40 Boston Street Hulme and that his birth year was 1877. There appears to be some reference to the years between 1920-21 but as we only have 1 form that survives there could be other years involved. The form states name as James Hayes but we know through the army numbers and other documents that he was actually J W Pepper.

Thanks again for all your kind help

I was only asking because I've J W Pepper's for 1914 and just wanted to be able to compare the two.
I know it's long winded for you,but,could you tell me what was on that Pension document that you have?