Can anyone help with a brick wall I have hit. My Grandfather, Charles Alfred Davis was born in Penrhiwceiber on 26-11-1896 to Charles Michael Davis and Jane Jones, he also had a brother name William, DOB.B. unknown. He served in WW1 as a Merchant Marine I am hope to find out more about my Grandfather and his family as he never spoke of them. The information I have obtained has been from his Marriage Certificate and Australian Military Records from WW2 where he served as a Stoker on HMAS Lonsdale, Painter, Gatehouse keeper.

I have tried to trace his birth certificate, but his Australian military records state that he did not produce his birth certificate for enlistment on 11-01-1940 into the Australian Army and later transferred into the Navy in 1942. My mother was the executor of his Will and has all the papers for his marriage, etc. but no birth certificate has been found.

On his Marriage Cert. it is recorded that his father was Charles Michael Davis and mother was Jane Jones. His Military records also mention a William Davis as N.O.K. in South Wales with no know address, until he married my Grandmother.

I have searched the BDM in England, Wales and have not been able to find him, his DOB.B. on all records show 26-11-1896.

According to my mother's information he served in WW1 as a Merchant Marine, but I cannot find any records either.

Does anyone have access to any information or suggestions on how I can find out: 1. How he may have left United Kingdom and arrived in Australia; 2. How I can obtain a copy of a birth certificate; 3. Find out more about his military services as a Merchant Marine during WW1

Dianne