William Yemm Church - Forest of Dean FHT Forum

I have a William Yemm Church born in Littledean 22/01/1865 - Baptised 16/02/1865 Mitcheldean Congregational.

Parents John Church & Eliza Yemm - married 04/10/1860 at St Michael, Abenhall.

John deserted the family in 1866. Their children were bording with who I believe are Eliza's parents. William Yemm (80) & Mary Yemm (81) at Baby Lane, Abinghall. His broethers were John F (Frank) Church and Albert Church.

Only records of William is his Royal Engineer service records - Joined 01/01/1890 to16/12/1899 Home based service. South Africa 17/12/1899 to 22/08/1902 - Discharge Chatham.

Looking for any help or information for 1881 census, marriages etc.

As not sure when he left the area or if he came back and married locally.

Thank you in advance

CHURCH, JOHN FREDERICK. Mother's Maiden Surname: YEMM
GRO Reference: 1861 M Quarter in ST PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 158

CHURCH, ALBERT: Mother's Maiden Surname: YEM
GRO Reference: 1863 J Quarter in WESTBURY ON SEVERN Volume 06A Page 200

CHURCH, WILLIAM YEMM. Mother's Maiden Surname: YEMIN
GRO Reference: 1865 M Quarter in WESTBURY ON SEVERN Volume 06A Page 213

1881 Census (only record I can find)
Name: William Church
Age: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1862
Where born: Westbury On Trim (?)
Civil parish: Vessels
County/Island: Royal Navy
Country: England
Street Address: "Achilles"
Occupation: Ord 2 Cl
Registration District: Royal Navy
ED, institution, or vessel: Achilles

Apr 5th, 1891, Census
Name: William Yemm Church
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Relationship: Soldier
Birth Year: 1866
Birthplace: East Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Civil parish: Gillingham
Residence Place: Brompton, Gillingham, Kent, England
Registration District: Medway
Sub registration district: Gillingham
ED, Institution or Vessel: Brompton Barracks

UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 Preview
Passenger Lists.
Name: William Church
Other: H W Hayes
Birth: Abt 1867
Departure: 8 Jul 1891 England
Arrival: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

The only other records I could find for a William, has his occupation of a Wheelwright?

Is this their Father?

Name: John Church
Birth Year:abt 1837
Age:35
Committal Date:14 Dec 1872
Residence Year: 1872
Residence Place: Mitcheldean
Occupation: Butcher
Reference Number:Q/Gc6/6
URL: http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/genealogy/Search.aspx

Ancestry has John Church. Trial: 1 Apr. 1873. Gloucestershire, England. 14 years Imprisonment for Bigamy.

Possibly Eliza?

1881 Census
Eliza Ann Church
Age: 45
Estimated Birth Year: 1836
Relationship to Head: Servant
Where born: Abenhall, Gloucestershire, England
Civil parish: St Georges Hanover
County/Island: London
Street Address: 28 B Albemarle St
Marital Status: Widow
Occupation: Nurse Domestic Serv
Registration District: Chelsea

Thank you for looking.

John Church was sentenced to 3 months hard labour as he pleaaded guilty for Bigamy, according local newspapers of the time.

Managed to find 1881 census of William in Silver street, Abenhal, occupation is wheelwright.

William served in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. Found a 1921 Census of him living at Tower Hill, Stroud. Says born Cinderford & unemployed Wheelwright. There's a Kathleen Church also married, belive to be William's wife and census says she's from Wrexham, West Wales. So am 50/50 on this.

Still looking for their marriage record and William's death record etc.