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Births Jun 1894 (>99%)
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Besley Francis Wellington, Som. 5c 289

Surname First name(s) District Vol Page

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Births Sep 1896 (>99%)
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Besley Henry William Wellington, Som 5c 275

I can't find a death for Thomas Besley of the right age.....these two could be candidates for the two you think you might have but have found a birth for a Henry in SQ 1896:

Surname First name(s) District Vol Page

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Births Jun 1896 (>99%)
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Besley Thomas Tiverton 5b 407

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Births Mar 1904 (>99%)
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Besley Thomas Taunton 5c 287


Can't find an Ernest until 1903


The only way you will sort this lot out is to purchase birth registrations...bit expensive at £7 a time !!!

If you decide to purchase any, put the parents names on the online form then if it is not their child you will not get charged all of the £7.

A possibility:

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
about Thomas Besley
Name: Thomas Besley
Birth Place: Bampton, Devon
Residence: Wiveliscombe, Somerset
Death Date: 16 Feb 1915
Rank: Private
Regiment: Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry)
Battalion: 5th Battalion.
Number: 1800
Type of Casualty: Died
Theater of War: Brough - Sic

Name: BESLEY
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Somerset Light Infantry
Unit Text: 3rd/5th Bn
Age: 17
Date of Death: 16/02/1917
Service No: 1800
Additional information: Son of Steve and Fanny Besley, of Holelake, Wellington. Born at Wiveliscombe.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Cemetery: WIVELISCOMBE (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD



EDIT:

Just noticed that the two entries for Thomas have different death year, one is 1915 the other 1917.

Yes this family has had me running round in circles for years was so hoping 1911 census might shed some light!! Neither dates of deaths or ages add up!!!

Both of the death records appear to be for the same Thomas. The first one makes his birth about 1898 if he was 17.

I guess they weren't too sure how old the children were !!

Army pension information is on Ancestry for Ernest. Says he was born 1898 !!!

This is the info i have as to births deaths and marriages:

Births Sep 1898 (>99%)
BESLEY Frank James Wellington, Som. 5c 275
Marriages Jun 1916 (>99%)
Besley Frank Parsons Axbridge 5c 909
Parsons Alice M Besley Axbridge 5c 909

Births Dec 1889 (>99%)
Besley Florence Lily Tiverton 5b 419
Marriages Jun 1922 Cardiff 11a 971
BESLEY Florence l
Owen Charley
Marriages Dec 1925 Cardiff 11a 767

Births Dec 1888 (>99%)
BESLEY Ernest John Wellington Som 5c 297
Marriages Mar 1920 (>99%)
Besley Ernest Prout Taunton 5c 631
PROUT Beatrice Besley Taunton 5c 631

Deaths Jun 1914 (>99%)
Besley Mary A 57 Wellington Som. 5c 333

Births Jun 1885 (>99%)
Besley Frederick Wellington, Som 5c 305
Possible death
Deaths Jun 1914 (>99%)
Besley Fred 29 Wellington Som. 5c 331

Births Mar 1885 (>99%
Besley John Wellington Som. 5c 325
possible marriage
Marriages Dec 1905 (>99%)
BESLEY John Williton 5c 559
HOWE Eleanor Williton 5c 559

Births Dec 1880 (>99%)
BESLEY William Wellington Som 5c 285
Marriages Dec 1909 (>99%)
BESLEY William Wellington Som 5c 623
PROUT Ann Wellington Som 5c 623

ok i think ive solved the puzzle ... I have all the children, but in 1911 Thomas Besley aged 7 is possibly williams son Stephens brother. It seems williams wife Elizabeth died during the birth of thomas. So im thinking this is the only explanation. They took him in as their own!!