Genealogy Chat

Percy Watson b.1900 Thornton Dale, North Yorkshire. Married to - Kathleen Unknown b.1905 Scarborough Yorkshire. My Mom (Percy's niece) was their bridesmaid, so they definately got married. Mom born 1927 and she was quite young when they married according to 'Old Auntie'. Now for the story! He was in the Navy, WW1 and WW2. During WW2 according to 'Old Auntie' she wrote to him and told him she was pregnant, and it was not his child. He was captured and died a POW in June 1945. I would like to get his WW2 Naval record but have to prove I am one of the NOK. The MOD have Kathleen as his NOK so I have to find her death and possible marriage to someon else as her name would have changed from Watson. It would also be interesting to find out if she did have a child and what name it was registered under - but thats just for interest sake. I can't find a marriage for her after his death, please can someone else try for me? Many thanks ~

This is the info about Percy from the CWGC... Name: WATSON, PERCY Initials: P Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Able Seaman Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Sultan Age: 46 Date of Death: 04/06/1945 Service No: C/J41288 Additional information: Husband of Kathleen Watson, of Scarborough, Yorkshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 6. E. 11. Cemetery: KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY Georgina.

Thanks Georgina, I have all his Naval info I can find, its the marriage I cant find.

Have you tried getting their marriage certificate to find out what Kathleen's maiden name was? Perhaps she went back to using this when she remarried Dawn

That wouldn't have been legal surely? If she just used her maiden name then her 2nd marriage if she had one, would not have been a legal marriage. I have not traced their marriage so can't get the certificate.

As far as I am aware, you can be known by whatever name you wish.Lawfully, you should use official names on certificates, but no one ever checks and lots of people did lie about ages and such. My ggrandfather gave himself a new middle name on his marriage certificate! Someone else may advise better, but thought it may be a starting point to rule names out. Good luck with the search Dawn

The child would have been registered under the name she was using at the time, that is presumably her married surname. Unless she chose to call herself something else - there were no checks made. You are who you say you are. OC

Thanks Georgina, what site did you find it on because I have not been able to trace it?

Her name was Kathleen Dale & they married in the september quarter 1938 in Scarborough ref no:9d-967. Georgina.