C. O.
3177
BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL,
[Reg. 20 JAN 06
DUSSELDORF,
January 25th, 1906.
Treaty.
No.1.
(3260).
Sir;
93
A Mr. Thomas Benning, at present in Cologne, teaching English at the Berlitz school, has applied to me for a passport, but can neither produce a certificate of birth nor of identity. He states himself to be a British born subject, but the only paper he can produce is a certificate as to his having served in Hongkong, as a gunner in the Volunteers. He appears to have travelled about a great deal in America, and speaks with a slight American accent.
He believes he was left at school in Hongkong by his father when he was a little boy, and he has lost all trace of the latter. He believes he was born somewhere near or in London but cannot give me date, or parish. He is in possession of the Coronation medal and a membership ticket of the "Colonial Troops Club" which he received when in England 1902, showing his length of service 1898-1902.
In the absence of the 2 certificates required I did...
Sir Edward Grey,
Bart., M.P.,
80.
8C.
&C.
not
ch