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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: vic1047 on Wednesday 07 March 07 21:28 GMT (UK)

Title: Army Pensioner
Post by: vic1047 on Wednesday 07 March 07 21:28 GMT (UK)

Hi all,

Is it possible (or even worthwhile attempting  ??? ) to find army record details on the basis of name, date and place of birth only.

I have census records of individual in 1841 & 1851 who disappears from view until 1881 when he is shown as an "Army Pensioner".

Is there any hope of being able track his regiment?.  If so where do I start?

Vic

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: Wendi on Wednesday 07 March 07 21:38 GMT (UK)

Hi Vic

I think you've started already  ;D

What do you have on him already?

Was he just with the family to 1851 or already listed as a soldier?

It's very possible that his pension records are still at the National Archives, not on-line but as you are in the UK that's not insurmountable.

Wendi  :)

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: suey on Thursday 08 March 07 20:43 GMT (UK)

Yes! It's worth it.  As Wendi say's the records will be at The NA in Kew.
Some helpful info here
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/army/step4.htm

Good luck
Suey

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: neil1821 on Thursday 08 March 07 20:56 GMT (UK)

But do tell us his name, date and place of birth Vic

We may be able to look other places for you  :)

Neil

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: vic1047 on Friday 09 March 07 22:20 GMT (UK)

Thanks Guys and Gals!  :D

Yes, he was with family in 1851: John Mathew, b abt 1835, Beckenham, Kent, son of Michael Mathew (Michail Mathewes in 1841 census) and Maria Moorey, who were licensees of Crooked Billet PH, Penge, Surrey, 1851-1861 and living at Cokers Coke Farm, Beckenham, with grandparents Michael and Mary Mathew.

Next heard of in 1881, living at White Horse Road, Croydon, Surrey aged 45, an Army Pensioner and married to Sarah, b abt 1849 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, with 2 children, eldest 1+, youngest 6 months, both born in Croydon.

Possible death registration: 1891-Q1: London City, 1c 24

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: vic1047 on Friday 09 March 07 22:31 GMT (UK)

Hi again!  Following previous post I have found  some more info!

John Mathew married Sarah Jane Stanfield abt Sept 1875 in Croydon.

Vic

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: glenclare on Sunday 18 March 07 11:13 GMT (UK)

I have the same problem with a relative. At the National Archives you can search on WO22 for the payment of pensions if you can work out the office he was paid at. It took me several hours but I now know when my rellie left the army and when pension commenced and the regiment.

Title: Re: Army Pensioner
Post by: behindthefrogs on Sunday 18 March 07 11:21 GMT (UK)

It is always worth doing a search of the archives of the London Gazette for the relevant years.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/

Most army promotions across the whole of England are recorded there and you can determine his regiment from those details.  Similarly the Belfast and Edinburgh Gazettes but they seem to contain less information.

David