My research into my great grandfather, John Mildenhall,
has thrown up a number of problems that I’m hoping someone will be able
to give me advice about. He had a short but colourful life, although he
ultimately proved to be an unreliable husband and father. He was born
in 1866 in Inkpen and became a professional jockey in 1887. About three
years later he went to India to ride and married in Bombay Cathedral in
1898. He and his wife Elizabeth (nee Aylward) returned to England a
year later, where they had three children. He became a publican,
running public houses in Croydon, Kent, and East Ilsley. It proved a
bad career move as he also became an alcoholic and abandoned the
family. He died in Reigate in 1913. His two sons (including my
grandfather) went into a Barnardo Home in London, as their mother was
unable to support them.
I’ve discovered a little about his racing career in this
country, but nothing in India. I also don’t know how to find out about
his time as a publican, for example where he got his licence and
whether or not breweries kept records. I’ve heard that Barnardo Homes
don’t release records. Is this true? Any help will be gratefully
received.
BerksFHS 
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with any queries