Genealogy Chat

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can possibly help me.

My great uncle served in the British Navy, married an Australian and then transferred to the Australian Navy. I know he returned to England around 1954 and noone in the family heard of him after around 1956, so I am trying to find any information about him that I can.

The details that I have are as follows:
Harold Lloyd, born Barnsley 1920
Joined British Royal Navy approx 1939 (Have a photo of him saying Scott Class, Trevol Camp, Cornwall,UK 1939)
Transferred to Australian Navy following marriage in Australia late 1940's/early 1950's (Wife's name Peggy - Margaret, wedding photographer's name says from Fremantle, Australia)
Returned to UK approx 1954
Last contact was by letter from his wife around 1946 asking if anyone knew his whereabouts as she wanted a divorce!

I have looked at the WA bmd's but they do not list marriages after 1916 on the free online search. Does anyone know of or have access to a site where I could try to find a record of his marriage please?

I have looked at various sites for details of his Naval career, but have not found anything yet. Neither have I found a death registration for him.

Obviously I realise that this is not a lot to go on, but any help or advice that may point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thank-you
Dawn

Hi
Some Australian states are very slow to release BDM information - they reckon its to do with privacy, but its been proved that you can obtain the info from other sources anyway - newspaper articles (birth notices, death notices) and Land Title office records have interesting details regarding bequests and transfers !!

However, there are microfiche versions of all states BDMs, I just cannot recall the limit of WAs. Sounds like he decamped from WA .

You probably won't be able to find much in the way of Navy records after WW2.

Did he have a middle name, there's lots of Harold Lloyds out there.

Have you tried the Ryerson Index, and other states BDMs ? NSW and Vic are on-line, and death entries include parents names if known.

He might still be alive, too, as my father-in-law born in 1920 is still going strong.
When I go to the FH library and see what dates the WA microfiche are.

Di

Hi Di,
Thanks for replying.
I have just had a look on the Ryerson Index, but there doesn't seem to be one matching him.
He didn't have a middle name unfortunately, which has made google searching impossible really because of the famous Harold Lloyd!
I have looked at other states bmd's for marriage and death, problem is, no one knows if he definitely went back there or not.

I did think there was a possibility that he could still be alive - one of his brothers lived to be 91.

Many thanks for your help and advice.
Dawn

Hi Dawn,

Found this Harold LLoyd on National Archives site; http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/PassengerReport.asp

Passenger FAMILY NAME, LLOYD
Given names Harold
Title Mr
Ship/aircraft name Ranchi

Port of embarkation London
Port of disembarkation Fremantle
Date of arrival 17 Sep 1949

Barcode no
9243041

bye Helen
Brisbane OZ

Hi Dawn

Just read your comment

"which has made google searching impossible really because of the famous Harold Lloyd! "

I can empathise with you, I had a horrendous job trying to research my family's immigration to NZ in 1950s. Try googling they came on the Captain Cook, and would you believe it the ship's captain was also named Cook. :-)

All the best with your research.

bye Helen

Hi Helen,
I have just been looking at the record that you found and think it is likely to be him, thank-you!

I have emailed the Australian Naval Historical Society to see if they can help me find anything on his career once he transferred.

Thank-you for your help
Dawn

Hi Dawn

Found the following on the SS Ranchi, perhaps if you contact Victorian Public Records Office, Melbourne, Australia as stated, they may be able to give you more information

Post-war career
On 18 July 1947 the SS Ranchi was returned to her owners, P&O. The Ranchi was used as an emigrant ship between 1947 and 1952, when she completed fifteen voyages from England to Australia. The shipping nominal rolls are held at the Victorian Public Records Office, Melbourne, Australia.

bye Helen
Brisbane OZ

Hi Helen,
I did see something similar about the ship but it didn''t mention the records office, so I will give that a try.
Many thanks
Dawn

Nudging up in case any of the daytime experts can offer any advice
Thanks
Dawn