Find Ancestors

Yes, it's certainly possible that he changed his name, and there's little doubt that he disappeared deliberately.

There is some doubt about the paternity of his youngest son, and evidence in the military records that he tried unsuccessfully to get his wife's separation allowance stopped on grounds of her misbehaviour.

James went AWOL in August 1919 from the military hospital. They contacted his family to see if they knew where he was, and his brother replied that he had told him he had to go to Croydon but he had heard nothing since and had no idea whether or not he ever arrived there. James returned of his own volition after 32 days absence and signed a confession to desertion. Because of this, the court martial was dispensed with, and he lost pay instead.

So things were not hunky-dory between husband and wife! Why he had to go to Croydon is a mystery, but you can't rule out the possibility that it had some bearing on his subsequent disappearance.

If he disappeared deliberately, he may well have changed his name.

Thanks for looking, ArgyllGran.
No that's not him.

Just a suggestion - age not quite right, and I expect you've already discounted this one:

Deaths Jun 1950 (>99%)
CALLAND James 60 Preston 10f 318

My grandfather James Calland disappeared in 1920 after leaving the army. Can anyone suggest how to find out what happened to him, please?

I was lucky enough to find his military records, so I know a good deal about what happened to him until 1920. His discharge papers give his permanent address as 1 Back Albert Street, West End, Haydock, but he never returned home. I can't find any passenger details so I don't think he emigrated. Yet I haven't managed to find a death record that fits with his age. If I could find that, I could send for the certificate to find out who reported the death. Otherwise I can't see a way forward until the 1921 census is made available.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Facts known (for information)
Born 17 Mar 1889 at 52 Boston Cottages, Haydock
Baptised 01 May 1889 at St James, Haydock.
Father John Calland, mother Margaret Walmsley
Married Gertrude Peers 17 Dec 1906 at Emmanuel Church, Newton in Makerfield
Children
Gladys 1907-1978
John 1910-1983
Maggie 1912-1972
Doris 1915-1998
William 1918-1918
1901 Census - appears with his parents age 12 at 182 Crow Lane West, Earlestown, Newton in Makerfield
1911 Census - appears twice. Once age 22 with his wife and family at 22 Vista Road, Haydock, and again with his parents at 6 Vista Road (his father mistakenly entered all his children on his census return as single and living at home even though most were married and had their own homes).
Military Career
1910-1914 5th Battn South Lancashire Regiment (Rifles)
1914-1920 Special Reserve with the Black Watch/Royal Engineers
Served as a Railway Signalman with the Railway Troops Unit
21 Feb 1917 Posted to Egypt
02 Apr 1919 Invalided, returned from Egypt on Hospital Ship Valdivia
Spent time at The Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington
10 May 1920 Medical at Longmoor Camp. No disability claimed.
14 Jun 1920 Discharged at end of 6 years service, age 32
Permanent address at discharge given as 1 Back Street, West End, Haydock.