My Grandma's first husband war record

[kia cat]

We have a letter from one of the Chaplain's, who was in 3 CCS, BEF France during WW1. It gives the details of my Grandma's first husband.

The only details we have is a surname - POULTER, a date of death,4th Dec 1918, and "I buried him on Dec 5th in the Military Cemetery here at Caudry, near Cambrai." The letter is signed by "Ernest H. Gallop, Chaplain."

I've searched the CWGC cemetaries, but am no further forward. Ideally I'd love to find out anything more about him. If possible to pass the Chaplain's letter on to his descendants.
Any ideas please?

[Rose Maybud]

I had another look for your grandmother in the 1911 Census, but no luck. I couldn't find Henry, Charles or Ernest either, which is unusual, and I am wondering if they emigrated. Or they became Census-shy, which some people did. Or I'm completely losing it...

What I did notice was a very strong Rulton presence in the registration district of Halstead, Essex. Probably related to your family because they seemed to be recycling first names with remarkable consistency - it's as if they decided on any child born in a particular year would be named the same throughout the wider family.

The most relevant facts for Maud's family:

Her parents married Mar Q 1892 in Orsett district. Sarah's name was Stripling. BTW he was 'Harry' in the index.

He was born (and registered as Henry) Sep Q 1869 Halstead.

1871 Census - we find his family in Hedingham, Essex. His parents were William, born 1836, Sarah born 1844. Siblings Horace J (1863), Charles (1866) and later Ellen (1874) and Fanny (1876).

William Rulton and Sarah Wicks married Jun 1859 Q Halstead.

Apologies for the typo above - Maud's mother Sarah died Dec 1906 and not 1901 - doh!

[kia cat]

Rose - thank you. That's given me a lot more to add to her info. Maybe it's my lack of expertise, but I've yet to find her 2nd marriage to my Grandad, George Harry Ballard 01/05/1881 - ?/?/1955] or his death on free BMD.
CWGC have replied to say on rechecking there scans etc, Wiliam F was Poulter. It was an error transcribing from the handwritten records. They'll update the list in due course. Again thank you

[Rose Maybud]

Death for George H Ballard - registered Mar Q 1956 Lewisham (ref 5d 16) - age 74. If the death occurred too late in December 1955 to be included in that quarter's returns to the GRO, then the entry appears in the following quarter's index.

Was he born in Lambeth also? Any names for his parents or siblings?

As to the marriage - I see what you mean!! It would be easier if we knew the name / date / area of birth of their first offspring which will be your parent or aunt / uncle, but if that's getting a little too personal to disclose here, then that's fully understandable.
Btw FREEBMD becomes a little patchy the more recent the events you search for - I do intend to volunteer to do my bit of transcribing for them - great service. Easiest way to get over that right now is to take out a subscription to one of the family history sites where you can search the indexes by name and date, then you get an image of the books you would look through if you went to wherever they are kept now (used to be St Catherine's House).

All for now - must go and get the barn ready for the sheep: lambing due to start Easter Sunday, but lambs, just like human babies, can't read the calendar, so fully expect the first patter of tiny ovine feet tomorrow onwards

[Rose Maybud]

OK, found the marriage. Not on FREEBMD even with the reference number.

George H Ballard & Maud B Poulter married in Sep Q 1920, Halstead district, ref 4a 2289.

:))

[kia cat]

Rose - thankyou. It was a bit of a worry! I too sm thinking about volunteer transcribing. Good luck with the lambing. Take care

[patricia]

Hi
I have searched on CWGC, and I have found W. Poulter I clicked on the link and his name is given as William F Poulter, Driver. Died 4 December 1918, age unknown.
buried Caudry,