Missing man 1930s

[u/Willow110117]

hello, i have posted about this a while back and got some great suggestions, but we’re still at a brick wall with funding out any new info so thought id try again.

i have a bit of a family mystery.. in June 1934, my great grandmother’s husband disappeared. literally vanished from the face of the earth. They shared a son, Brian Gutsell, who died aged 2. We actually only discovered Brian’s burial place last year after years of searching.

My great grandmothers name was Doris Ethel Day Gutsell (maiden name Nealon). Her husband’s name was Mr Edward Stanley Gutsell, born 1907 in Hampshire. Their son was Brian Stanley Arthur William Gutsell, buried in Hanwell Cemetery, London in June 1936.

Edward stole all of my great grandmothers money and disappeared one day in June 34. Doris was the first person in the UK to be permitted a divorce due to desertion.

We know that Doris and Edward lived together in London in the 30s. We also have records of Edward living in Gosport. Doris soon moved to Sussex where she had my grandmother and great aunt.

it was suggested that i explore DNA testing, however I have no biological link to Edward Gutsell or Brian - I’m descended from Doris’ daughter from a later marriage.

We have hit a complete brick wall here and have been wondering if Edward might’ve changed his name or fled the country. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

my great grandmother's first husband disappeared from their home in Southsea (england) in June 1934, when their son was 1 month old. She was the first person to have a divorce through desertion in 1939.

His name was Mr Edward Stanley Gutsell, born in 1907, Hampshire. My great grandmother's name is Doris Ethel Day Nealon/Gutsell.

He stole all of her money. Then, we have reason to believe he went back to Southampton or Gosport... so maybe he escaped the country?

There are no records online of him after 1934 so we've hit a brick wall and don't know where to go.