Eric Ernest De Brath

Birth 21 May 1891, Simla, Bengal, India Baptism 13 June 1891, parents Ernest and Edith De'Brath. [Source: familysearch.org. index project number C75035-9, system origin: India-EASy, source film number: 510896, reference number: v 216 p 123]

31 March 1901 English Census Eric Debrath is listed as a Scholar 9 years old, born Simla, India, at Eastmaris Royal Naval Academy in Crawley, Hants, UK; (It was common to send English children whose parents were abroad to boarding school in England at a very young age.) Registration district: Winchester, Hampshire; sub-district: Micheldever; Ecclesiastical parish: St Mary Crawley with St James Hunton; Civil parish: Crawley; County: Hampshire

“1908 Army Notes.”

• The honorary testimonial of the Royal Humane Society has just been awarded to Mr. Eric De Brath, the eldest son Major-Gen. Brath, C. B., c.i.e,., Political Agent at Aden. Mr. De Brath, who is at present reading for the Army with Lieur-Colonel W.H. James, Bushmead Hall, Bedford was instrumental in saving the life of Miss D Pledge when she fell into the river August 11 (1908). [28 November 1908 - Army and Navy Gazette - London, England]

Qualified, Sept. 1910

• [India-L] 2- Queen's/King's India Cadetships, Sandhurst:
• register of candidates De BRATH, Neville Stanley (Eric's brother)
• M7151 Services of Father of Candidate: Maj. Gen. , 1876, 34 years’ service - Major General E. De Brath, CB, EI?, IA.
• Mother living,
• One cadetship (46f) Marks allotted to Candidates Length of father’s service: 4
• Father’s Honorary Distinctions or Appointments: 2
• Brothers already received cadetships: -1
• Total 5 Hon. KSC Feb 1911

1911 UK Census both brothers enrolled at Sandhurst Royal Military College for Officers:

• Eric Ernest De Brath Birth: Simla (Resident), Age in 1911: 19 Est Birth Year: about 1892, Student, Gentleman Cadet, Royal Military College, College For Training Officers For The Army, Camberley, Surrey
• Neville Stanley De Brath,Birth: Simla (Resident), Age in 1911: 18, Est Birth Year: about 1893, Student, Gentleman Cadet, Royal Military College, College For Training Officers For The Army, Camberley, Surrey

1914-1920 E E Debrath received World War I British and Victory Medals issued in India Capt. Supply & Transport Corps [Source: British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920]

1915, 20 March mentioned in London Gazette 8 June 1915, p. 5527, to be 2nd Lieutenant in Infantry Branch, attached to the 3rd (Indian) Porter Corps (who were non-combatants for the Great War). 1916 2nd Lieutenant in the Indian army reserve of officers

1st Marriage: 14 Sep 1916 Karsauli,​ Bengal,​ India'

• groom's name: Eric Ernest De Brath, 2nd Lieutenant Indian Army Reserve of Officers (stationed in Dehra Dun)
• groom's birth date 1891
• groom's age: 25
• bride's name: Gloria Catherine Vaughan
• bride's birth date 1898
• bride's age: 18
• marriage date: 14 Sep 1916
• marriage place: Karsauli, Bengal, India
• groom's father's name: Ernest De Brath
• bride's father's name: Jonathan C. Vaughan of Peshawar, India
• groom's marital status: Single
• bride's marital status: Single

(Source: familysearch.org indexing project (batch) number: M75047-4 system origin: India-EASy source film number: 527541)

1919 mentioned in London Gazette

28 August 1922 Age 31 Army Captain Eric and Gloria arrived in Seattle, USA from Delhi, India. - see Manifest of Passengers on ss "Empress of Russia" - for final destination of Los Angeles, to work as a cameraman in motion pictures.

22 APR 1925 Eric Connaugh DeBrath (Anthony acc to 1930 Census, and then later Jon Compton) born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co, California

22 SEP 1927 Eve DeBrath (later Eve Berkson) was born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co, California.

1930 US Census Los Angeles (Districts 0001-0250), California

• Head Eric Debrath M 38 Asst. Cameraman-motion pictures
• spouse Gloria Debrath F 31
• child Anthony Debrath M 4 (later changed his last name to Compton)
• child Eve Debrath. F 2

1931 June

Subsequently left Hollywood in June 1931 for Papeete, Tahiti with his family - purchased Neville De Brath's (Eric's brother) interest in the Blue Lagoon Hotel and Gloria operated the hotel under a lease from the owner in the property.

Eric engaged in and carried on a photography business.

The following year, in 1932, Gloria permitted a 'friend' to take the children to the USA while dealing with marital and financial issues. Eric and Gloria subsequently divorced (before July 1936), Gloria gaining custody of the children. However, it took three years and two court cases for Gloria to regain custody of the children in the U.S. from her so-called friend. (See Sources)

2nd Marriage:
Eric remarried on 20 July 1936 Irene Josephine Haumani (1915-2008), in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Children:

• Renee "Anita"
• Sonny (1937-2000)
• Minarii (1939-1942)
• Joan, married name Trutmann

In 1943, aged 51, Eric was a passenger from Liverpool, England to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on the cargo vessel m.v. Ajax - presumably for onward transportation to Tahiti.

Death

Eric died in September 1951 (60) in Papenoo, Windward Islands, French Polynesia.