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I can find several records for James PF Betson including:

James Patrick Francis Betson born 1905 Derbyshire

1911 Census

Service records 1939 - 1945

He, also, appears on many passenger lists.

There is mention of him in Doris Evelyn Betson's (Wife) obituary Died 1986

However, I cannot find any record of his death. I know he lived on Alderney for a time, he also lived in Surrey. I think he died in the 1970's but I'm not certain...

Can anyone help - PLEASE?

How was he referred to in the obituary?

Did the couple have children?

They didn't marry in England or Wales

His wife didn't die in England or Wales, either

Channel Islands records - this would give you a starting point

http://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/

Curious as to when he got the OBE ?

Hi

In the obituary he is referred to as: Capt JPF Betson OBE

He had one daughter - Valerie F Betson born 1937 Surrey Died1959 Bucks

I will have another look at the Channel Island records - thanks for the link.

My cousin has the cuttings about his OBE... so, can't tell you the dates.

Navy captain rather than an Army Captain ?

Do you have these?

UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927

Certificate of Competency as Second Mate on a Foreign-going Steamship in the Merchant Service
NAME: James Patrick Francis Betson
ESTIMATED AGE: 20
BIRTH DATE: 1905
BIRTH PLACE: Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
ISSUE DATE: 15 Jan 1925
ISSUE PORT: Liverpool
CERTIFICATE NUMBER: 0018649

----------------------------------------------------------
and as First Mate of a foreign-going Steamship in the merchant Service - granted 4 May 1926

NAME: James Patrick Francis Betson
ESTIMATED AGE: 21
BIRTH DATE: 1905
BIRTH PLACE: Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
ISSUE DATE: 20 May 1926
CERTIFICATE NUMBER: 0018649

Yes, Merchant Navy

No death showing on FMP and nothing showing in UK probate records 1960-1996 I'm afraid.

Nothing on Find a Grave either.

OBE
Supplement to the London Gazette 1 January 1957

To be Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order -

Captain James Patrick Francis Betson, Commander, HMTS Monarch, General Post Office

HMTS Monarch was a Cable laying ship, in GPO service

Thanks for the Merchant service info...

I guess I'm going to have to extend my search world wide - for his marriage and death details. Any pointers on where to start?

National Archives - cost of £3.30

Reference: BT 395/1/6940
Description:
Medal listing of Betson, J P F
Discharge number:1072437
Date of Birth: 08 June 1905
Date: [1946-2002]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

I guess this is a list of GPO appointments - it includes Sorting Clerks, Telephonists, Postmen etc

The London Gazette 9 February 1937

Under Clause 3 of the General Regulations

Post Office: Navigating Officer on a Cable Ship

James Patrick Francis Betson

James Patrick Betson
YEAR: 1936
COUNTRY: England
COUNTY: Surrey
PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION/CONSTITUENCY: Mitcham
PLACE OF ABODE: 36 Crichton Road
REFERENCE NUMBER: CC802/53/6

Also there Doris Betson

Capt J P F Betson
ADDRESS: OBE, Copse Corner Cott,Moor Com...
EXCHANGE: Lane End
DIRECTORY TITLE: Oxford Feb
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1971
DIRECTORY COUNTY: Oxford
PAGE NUMBER: 32

So still in Oxfordshire in 1971 if above 'phone book entry is correct?

And 1972

J P F Betson
ADDRESS: OBE. Copse Corner Cott,Moor Com,Lane End...
EXCHANGE: H Wycombe
DIRECTORY TITLE: Oxford Feb
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1972
DIRECTORY COUNTY: Oxford
PAGE NUMBER: 35

That's great - so that confirms that he and his wife did spend time in the UK - and that is where they were living when there daughter was born.

From what we can remember Granny went off to see him when he was ill before he died - we know we were still at school so that would be - late 60's / 70's - but we can't remember any of the details about where she went etc. Unfortunately, there isn't any family member still alive who we can ask.

We have hundreds of photos of James, as a young man on boats and in exotic locations - yet we don't know what happened to him or where his final resting place is.

I will just keep searching..... and Thank You all for your input.
Cheers
Sorrilsain

Did his wife's obituary not say where she died. That may give you a clue. If you don't have the full notice, it may be worth visiting a main library that holds past editions of the Times to check it out.

They lived in greenwich for a time

NAME: Doris Betson
YEAR: 1937
COUNTY OR BOROUGH: Greenwich
WARD OR DIVISION/CONSTITUENCY: Greenwich
STREET ADDRESS: 3 Morden road
With
James Patrick Francis and others

1938 at the same address with the same people as in 1939

NAME: Doris Evelyn Betson
YEAR: 1939
COUNTY OR BOROUGH: Greenwich
WARD OR DIVISION/CONSTITUENCY: Greenwich

Address 20 Kidbrooke Grove

With James Patrick frances and several other people

The was the cable laying firm in Greenwich so maybe he worked for them


I come from that area and remember the firm but can't remember its name It may have been British Ropes. but think they were at Charlton Or Telegraph and Cables co ,they did have a fleet of cable laying ships as we had a lodger whose boy friend served on one of them and was away for weeks at a time as it laid cable under the seas