What Profession...again ?

Do you know what happened to the younger Frederick Ruff?
I see you have him with an RN record.
I found on Trove the story of Able Seaman Frederick Ruff who in 1934 was working on the 'Remuera" a ship that was used between England and New Zealand and was also a troop ship in both wars. He fractured his skull on the trip over to New Zealand in 1934 and was looked after by the ships nurse to whom he fell in love and was to marry in Sydney (cant find a marriage) But when his sister read of his story in the newspaper they were both reunited after not seeing nor hearing of each other for 17 years and the only way she could recognise him was by a tattoo on his arm. (mostly only sailors got them back then) Her family had left to come to New Zealand after WW1. Her name was Mrs L Helsdon of Blenheim NZ.
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate 10th October 1934) Could be in other papers too.
 
Yes, that is him. He ended up living in Australia. He didn't marry the nurse in Sydney as the papers said, he ended up marrying in Essex, England, but....DA DA DAAAA he was already married and was done for bigamy. He married someone (can't remember off hand) in Australia.

Don't know who his sister was though, except her name was Mrs L Helsdon.
 
I have just been having a look at Frederick's navy record and it notes that he had a tattoo that read "In memory of Tom".

Just wondered who Tom was and if it could be a help - or a hindrance ;)
 
Daft Bat said:
I have just been having a look at Frederick's navy record and it notes that he had a tattoo that read "In memory of Tom".

Just wondered who Tom was and if it could be a help - or a hindrance ;)
Click to expand...
oooh that's something I hadn't noticed.
 
Sorry it's his marriage certificate that his parents are different. He may have changed their names because he had alredy been married twice and one of those was bigamously.

Parents on 3rd marriage are:-
Charles Percival RUFF & Francis Elizabeth STEVENSON. He listed his age as 42 in 1941, giving a birth of 1899.

He carried that age difference through till his death in 1960 aged 61.

My grandfather did the same, he was born 1900, borne out by 1901 and 1911 censuses but around 1918 he started saying he was born 1898. When he died in 1952 his son said he was aged 54. He wasn't he was 52.
 
I have sent for his first marriage certificate from 1925, it should be despatched this Wednesday, should be able to find out who he says his father was on that one.
 
Is the Charles P Ruff mmn McCarthy b1935 reg. in Shoreditch anything to do with your Frederick?
Frederick C Ruff married Flora McCarthy in 1922

(If not delete this post to stop any confusion)
 
I've been doing a bit of digging and think I may have solved the puzzle of the identity of Mrs L. Helsdon. I think she was Louisa Elizabeth Helsdon, nee Louisa Elizabeth Ruff latterly Louisa Elizabeth Bosselmann. Here's the trail -

New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1928 Marlborough
Helsdon Edward Peter, Nosworthy Street, Blenheim, labourer
Helsdon Louisa Elizabeth, Nosworthy Street, Blenheim, married

New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1935 Marlborough
Helsdon Edward Peter, Scott Street, Blenheim, labourer
Helsdon Louisa Elizabeth, Scott Street, Blenheim, married

New Zealand Marriage Index
Name: Edward Peter Helsdon
Marriage Year: 1937
Marriage Place: New Zealand
Spouse: Gertrude Louisa Miskell

New Zealand Papers Past Press 8th October 1942
upload_2023-7-9_11-3-49.png

New Zealand Papers Past Press 20th September 1947
upload_2023-7-9_11-4-48.png

New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1954 Canterbury
Helsdon Cora, 17, Forbes Street, married
Helsdon Edward Peter, 17, Forbes Street, engine driver
Helsdon Gertrude Louisa, 19, Wilmer Street, married

New Zealand Papers Past Press 7th January 1956
upload_2023-7-9_11-8-34.png

Now comes the interesting bit -
New Zealand Marriage Index
Name: Louisa Elizabeth Ruff
Marriage Year:1936
Marriage Place: New Zealand
Spouse: August Henry Frederick Bosselmann

I am presuming Louisa divorced Edward Peter Helsdon, as they were last on the Electoral Roll together in 1935. Then she married Mr Bosselmann in 1936 as Louisa Elizabeth Ruff, her maiden name. So, I’m thinking Louisa is the long-lost sister.

I hope that all makes sense :nailbiting:
 
That should read 1940 as date of death :rolleyes: - that would make her about 10 years older than Frederick.....:nailbiting:
 
You of course are right, I got caught up in the excitement and added her age to 1900 instead of giving the year of death :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top