HYDE, Benjamin b c1879 AUSTRALIA - WW1

[fullscott]

This man's records in the WW1 Service Records (WO 363) are confusing. Was he born BENJAMIN HYDE ... or WILLIAM CLARKE? Was he serving under an alias, or did he legitimately change his name? There is a note on his record: "Jan 1915 - Man's name changed to HYDE, see Part II Orders No. 122 dt 13/12/1914" but the majority of the Record is in the name of CLARKE. (Medal Receipts are HYDE)

In case Benjamin Hyde's descendants are searching for him ...

He joined (as WILLIAM CLARKE) the RGA at Devonport on 19 June 1903, declaring age 23y 8m, born SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

He married (as BENJAMIN HYDE) JULIA ELLEN JEWELL in Sussex in 1910.
His father THOMAS (no surname) lives in Sydney, Australia.
His brother JAMES (no surname) is in the Hussars.

He left for TORONTO, CANADA in June 1911 and came back to serve at the outbreak of WW1 (wife stayed in Canada, receiving Separation payments in the name of CLARKE). Regimental Number (1903-1918): 15068. Discharged (unfit) December 1918, giving a Sussex address (East ???) as destination.

Hopefully, this will ring a bell with someone! (I'm filing him under both names!)

Anc****y, CLA, pages 177614-177628

[wimsey]

in one of his letters requesting passage he says his "proper" name is Hyde. He writes his letters from 85 Ashford Road, Eastbourne, Sussex. There's also an Albion Road, Eastbourne address.

[fullscott]

in one of his letters requesting passage he says his "proper" name is Hyde. He writes his letters from 85 Ashford Road, Eastbourne, Sussex. There's also an Albion Road, Eastbourne address.

Thank You wimsey.
Where did you find these letters?

Jane

[wimsey]

Thank You wimsey.
Where did you find these letters?

Jane

on Find My Past British Army Service Records 1914-1920. 15068 Benjamin Hyde, 4th Brigade, RGA. WO363. letters dated January - May 1919.

[fullscott]

Thank you again!
This is what puzzles me about WO 363 - surely FMP & Ancestry are using the same records? So how come Benjamin HYDE is not on Ancestry? (or maybe it's the way I search?)

Jane

[wimsey]

I've no idea. < shrugs shoulders >

just checked - FMP also has your William Clarke record (separately under Clarke)