TOPIC:

There are 176 occurrences of that service number and only one is an Aird and it’s a Henry.
Harry Aird was also an enlisted man. Both had the same dad, Charles. How did you conclude that Henry was Harry? Did you search FMP and get that as a hint? My dad, John Henry, was nicknamed as Harry Boy in East London as a lad. I have a death certificate for Henry but no birth certificate. For Harry I have a birth certificate but no death certificate.

Logie
Do you have access to Findmypast ?

1881 census
search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBC/18...=GBC/1881/0005995814

Note
Father Charles G
Mother Eliza
Older brother William
Younger brothers John and Albert
Sisters Harriet, Janet, Lizzie

This coincides precisely with next of kin details from the service papers I linked.

I never found a better confirmation of identity.

If you don't have access to Findmypast get your email address to me and will copy details to you.

Best

Peter

I obtained similar results using the FreeBMD site, but the census results are clear.
Harry invented a younger self to take the Queens shilling but fearful of discovery he failed to regain his true identity. It’s my belief my dad found out and kept it quiet, but modern research tools have revealed what had been hidden. BTW Charles does not appear to have actually married Eliza, but the Grave Photographic Record site confirms they lived as man and wife. Thanks again for the help, I’ll be investing in the FMP (I have a free account) once my sister comes back from China and can join in again.

Logie
On FMP the transcription of the birth registration of Harry/Henry older brother William 1863 shows mothers maiden name as Grinham.
Looking for a marriage of Eliza Grinham to an Aird gives a marriage to a George Aird in Farnborough in 4th qu of 1862.
Use of alternative names appears to run in your family!
Pete

Yes I found the marriage shortly after I said I hadn't. Best to delay announcements in future! I had picked up Eliza Grenham, but most transcribers list Grinham. Also as you found, the marriage certificate drops the George.
I searched on FREEBMD on Farnbro' and Hartley Wintney for Births, Marriages and Deaths. Now I have 10 children with two who died after a year plus many of those children's marriages and early offspring. Such loyalty to Hartley Wintney! So far Ive found three transcriber errors on FMB, Their 1 year old son Charles George Aird b 1865 (chip of the old block?) died a year later in *arbia; terrible handwriting. My dads late registration oddly was referenced as John A Aird.

Tip: to get FMB to reveal spouse details when listing marriages click on the blue highlighted page entry (you get to see who else shares those index numbers).

Cheers

logie