Name: PAVER, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Gloucestershire Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd/4th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 19/07/1916
Service No: 3752
Additional information: Son of Mrs. J. Paver.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 60 to 64.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

This one is a bit of a curiosity. I think I have him pinned birthwise (1893) but the only trace of him on the 1901 census is as a pauper in the Bristol Union Workhouse. There is no sign of the family members apart from the cryptic entry on the CWGC which could be the initial of either parent.

Mel

Certainly a tricky one this, Mel, but your workhouse boy looks the likeliest candidate, although there's nothing concrete to link him to the following family:

1891
56 Hill St, Bristol
PAVER William, Head, 31, Carpenter, b ?Devonshire
PAVER Julia, Wife, 34, Laundress, b ?Devonshire
PAVER Mabel, Dau, 3, b Bristol
PAVER Lily, Dau, 5 months, b Bristol

Trouble is, I can't find birth records for Mabel or Lily.
I think William Sr was the son of Daniel & Emma, originally of Otterton, Devon, who moved to Pill nr. Bristol sometime between 1868 and 1871.

This may or may not be William Jr:
Births Q4 1892 in Bristol - PAVER William Thomas (6a 22)

William Sr must have died sometime before 1901.

1901
Home for Boys of the Bristol Union
PAVER William, Pauper, 8, b Bristol

11 New Street (Volunteer Inn), Bristol
WILD Horace, Head, 51, Beer Retailer/Pub, b London
WILD Alice, Wife, 40, b Bristol
WILD Horace, Son, 6, b Plymouth
McKENSIT Mary, Visitor, Widow, 40, Independent Means, b Bristol
PAVER Julia, Boarder, Widow, 44, Laundress, b Plymouth

Lily PAVER age 11, b Bristol, is Scholar at Salisbury St Martin, Alderbury, Wilts.
I can't find Mabel.

1911
47 Paddock, Bristol
PAVER Julia, Head, 55, Widow, Laundress, b Plymouth

Julia died in Bristol Q2 1917 age 60.
Lily poss. married Arthur HUNT in Bristol Q2 1922 (6a 408). Children William A (Q1 1923), Arthur H (Q2 1925), Margaret M (Q1 1930).

The only way to be sure would be to get hold of the birth certificate of PAVER William Thomas, Dec Qtr 1892, Bristol, Vol. 6a Page 22, as that would be the only way of connecting him with Julia.

Adrian

What can I say? A superb piece of detective work!

Mel

What can I say? It certainly was. Any progress on tracing the relatives on this one?

Best,

Tjapaltjarri