On a Wildgoose Chase: Solving the Mysteries
As I work my way back in to Walter's world after my hiatus, the list of little mysteries in the story keeps begging for attention. I don't know how many of them are solvable. Some things need bloodhounds and some just need perseverance.
Where's Harry? Will we ever find out what happened to Walter's older brother Harry who ran away from the Sheffield Children's Home?
Where was little Annie during the Sheffield years? Walter believed her to be in Whitley Bay the whole time, but there is some evidence that she, too, was in Sheffield for at least a while.
What's the story behind the family picture and the date (above)? It's dated 1887 but shows three sons. Bert wasn't born until 1889, Walter 1990, and yet Bert (we assume) is shown in the picture. It could be just a matter of mis-dating. Still, where's young Walter? From the looks of Bert, Walter would've been 1 or 2 years old when this was taken. Probably a simple explanation, but it makes one wonder.
What was the relationship between father John and his family in Sheffield? Did the boys ever see their grandparents and cousins while they were in the children's home? We know John's parents and some of his siblings lived in Sheffield when he was in the Workhouse Hospital. Walter never mentions any of his Wildgoose relatives.
Why did the family decide to split when John went to the workhouse? Was it simply a matter of money and/or healthcare for John? Why did Fred stay with his mother while the little ones were sent away? If little Annie was at Whitley Bay, why so far away from the rest of the family?
Why was Walter's injury at Le Cateau mentioned in his discharge record but no mention of the foot injury at 2nd Ypres that got him back to England in 1915?
Well, those are some of the loose ends I'd love to tie up. I have my work cut out for me.
Where's Harry? Will we ever find out what happened to Walter's older brother Harry who ran away from the Sheffield Children's Home?
Where was little Annie during the Sheffield years? Walter believed her to be in Whitley Bay the whole time, but there is some evidence that she, too, was in Sheffield for at least a while.
What's the story behind the family picture and the date (above)? It's dated 1887 but shows three sons. Bert wasn't born until 1889, Walter 1990, and yet Bert (we assume) is shown in the picture. It could be just a matter of mis-dating. Still, where's young Walter? From the looks of Bert, Walter would've been 1 or 2 years old when this was taken. Probably a simple explanation, but it makes one wonder.
What was the relationship between father John and his family in Sheffield? Did the boys ever see their grandparents and cousins while they were in the children's home? We know John's parents and some of his siblings lived in Sheffield when he was in the Workhouse Hospital. Walter never mentions any of his Wildgoose relatives.
Why did the family decide to split when John went to the workhouse? Was it simply a matter of money and/or healthcare for John? Why did Fred stay with his mother while the little ones were sent away? If little Annie was at Whitley Bay, why so far away from the rest of the family?
Why was Walter's injury at Le Cateau mentioned in his discharge record but no mention of the foot injury at 2nd Ypres that got him back to England in 1915?
Well, those are some of the loose ends I'd love to tie up. I have my work cut out for me.