When James JOHNS joined the RMA at Portsmouth in 1835 he gave his date of birth as 1816 at Soley Hill (Solihull?). I have found him in various records but can't link anybody before him, except that his marriage certificate (Portsmouth) states that his father was Thomas JOHNS, a miller by trade but I think "miller's assistant" is more likely. Any help to unstick g-g-grandfather Thomas would be very much appreciated.