Damian France, 65, from Auckland, New Zealand, has spent 15 years researching his family history but has been unable to solve the mystery of what became of his grandparents, William France and Veronica Rose Handley. The couple disappeared from the lives of their sons, Denis and Joe Cyril, in the 1930s, leaving them to be raised by an aunt known as 'Aunt May'.
Research hits a brick wall
Damian told the Liverpool ECHO: "I've come up against a brick wall. The more I've researched, the more questions seem to appear." He has searched archives, electoral registers, railway records, shipping documents, and newspaper clippings. Despite uncovering dozens of clues, the biggest mystery remains unsolved.
William France, believed born around 1901, worked on Liverpool's railways, first as a carriage cleaner and later as a locomotive fireman. He married Veronica Rose Handley on October 21, 1926, at St Sebastian's Church in Fairfield. The couple had two sons, Denis in 1928 and Joe Cyril in 1930, and lived at 17 Shortwood Road in Dovecot during 1934-1935.
Disappearance from records
Electoral records show Veronica living with the Handley family at 23 Alford Street between 1935 and 1936, while William disappears from the paper trail. Damian suspects his grandfather may have left the family and started another life. He said: "Veronica may have later remarried under the surname Warnock, although this has not yet been confirmed. I suspect William walked out on the marriage, but that's only a theory."
Damian recently received information from a railway historian suggesting William may have had five children. He added: "If that's correct, were the other three children from another relationship? I simply don't know."
Previous appeal in 1996
On January 6, 1996, a similar appeal appeared in the Liverpool ECHO seeking relatives of Veronica and her sons. The appeal read: "I wish to trace my mother's relatives - Veronica Rose France (nee Handley) born December 5, 1903, and her sons, Dennis William France born February 12, 1928, and married to Maria Anna Jenkinson in New Zealand on October 20, 1959, and Cyril Joseph France, born March 3, 1930. Any information would be of assistance."
Damian believes it was Joe Cyril France who wrote that appeal, but both Joe and Denis have since passed away. He is now hoping to continue the search and establish what became of both Veronica and William.
Railway medal story
Another family story has intrigued Damian: that William was recognised for sheltering trains inside the Runcorn Tunnel during Second World War bombing raids. Despite extensive research, he has never been able to verify it. He said: "The medal research was what really sparked my interest in the first place. I've searched railway archives and official records, but I've come up against another brick wall."
Connection to Liverpool
Damian visited Liverpool in 2010 with his father and brother, meeting relatives and visiting ancestral streets. He said: "When people ask me where I'm from, I say my dad was a Scouser, and I'm proud of that because you should be proud of your heritage."
Now semi-retired, Damian spends much of his time travelling New Zealand in a motorhome while continuing his research. He said: "This isn't simply about building a family tree. It's about understanding my family's story and preserving it for future generations - my daughters, nieces, and nephews - so they know where they came from."
Damian is appealing to anyone who remembers William France or Veronica Rose Handley, has photographs or documents, knows relatives linked to Shortwood Road, Alford Street, Fairfield, Roby, or Edge Hill, or has information about William's railway career. He said: "My hope is that someone might recognise the names William France or Veronica Rose Handley, remember a family story, have an old photograph or letter tucked away, or perhaps even discover that they are related to us."
