Search for content in message boards

Henry James Ollenbittle III

Replies: 9

Re: Henry James Ollenbittle III

Posted: 5 Aug 2010 1:56PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Ollenbittle & Preston
Hi Steven,

I am the grandson of your Grandfather Henry's sister Louise Eliza (through her second daughter, my late mother Doris Lilian Pullinger). My mother always told me that her uncles Henry (your grandfather) and Walter took the name Preston. She thought that it was to do with anti-german feelings in the early 20th Cent prior to the Great War. After researching the family (particularly the military records) I think the reasons could be different.

There is listing in the National Archive for a Henry Ollenbittle (born 29 Oct 1875)in the Royal Navy - where he was signed in for 12 years service. However, as you have stated Henry joined the army (there is a service record of a Harry Preston also in the Archive). My theory is that he did not get on in the navy (for what ever reason) so may have "jumped ship" and then later joined up in the Army, using an assumed name (Ollenbittle would have been rather easy to notice). Later when his younger brother Walter joined up in 1902 - under age (in the same regiment - Royal Field Artillery), being Henry's brother he therefore also assummed the name Preston. Walter was later killed in an accident at Aldershot barracks during WWI. Henry's other brothers also served in the army but both used the name Ollenbittle, William also in the Royal Field Artillery and Tom in the London Regiment and Royal Medical Corps

I had not heard of Henry Ollenbittle III, your grandfather's father using the name "Preston", but he seems a rather rum fellow, who later in life assumed the christian name "Thomas" and seems to have run two separate families at the same time, so I would not put that past him too. I have never heard that my grandmother used the name Preston, but someone else may have provided the details for the (2nd) certificate that you have.

As to what happened to him after 1915, I have one small bit of information. My mother (who was born in 1916) when she was abot 12-13 was set to go and live and work with your grandfather Henry in his sweetshop. Louise Eliza took her there, my mother went to bed, and Louise & Henry stayed up (drinking). They evidently had a row, as in the morning Louise Eliza took my mother home (without explanation) and mum never did work at the sweet shop.

Finally I only have one picture of the Ollenbittle family, which I attach a copy. It does not (I think) have Henry in it. It is Tom Ollenbittles wedding (23rd May 1915). Those identified are as follows:
Back row - all unknown
Middle row l-r - Elizabeth Mary Ollenbittle (maiden name Moore) wife of, William Ollenbittle, unkown male, possibly Rosa Ollenbittle, Louise Eliza Ollenbittle (married name Pullinger)
Front row sitting l-r - Unknown woman, Eleanor Ollenbittle (maiden name Bennett)- your great grandmother, Tom & Violet Ollenbittle, unknown woman (bride's mother ?) Eleanor Hannah Ollenbittle (eldest sister of your grandfather).
Sitting front l-r - Albert Pullinger, unknown, Louise Pullinger and Geroge Pullinger (my uncles and aunt).

Hope this helps. I have other fragments of information about the family and some documents. I have also (possibly)traced the Ollenbittle family back to Hanover, Germany where they are called Oldenbüttel not Ollenbittle.

Regards

Max Rasmussen
Attachments:
SubjectAuthorDate Posted
stephenjohnpr... 4 Aug 2010 8:29PM GMT 
max1658 5 Aug 2010 7:56PM GMT 
stephenjohnpr... 7 Aug 2010 6:34PM GMT 
max1658 8 Aug 2010 10:36AM GMT 
stephenjohnpr... 25 Dec 2012 4:31PM GMT 
carolboman1 3 Jul 2013 7:22PM GMT 
max1658 6 Jul 2013 3:14PM GMT 
stephenjohnpr... 7 Jul 2013 7:10AM GMT 
carolboman1 9 Jul 2013 8:23PM GMT 
max1658 10 Jul 2013 8:06PM GMT 
per page

Find a board about a specific topic