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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: CoxDodds on Friday 20 February 09 23:31 GMT (UK)
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Can anyone give me any info or links for this miltia group?
My GGGgrandfather is listed on his wedding certificate as Color Sergeant Commissariat Staff Corp, but as a Quarter Master of the South Mayo Rifles?
Thanks
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They were raised in 1793 at Westport as the South Mayo Militia, and re-designated as Rifles in 1855, until they became the 3rd Battalion of the Connaught Rangers 31st July 1881.
Your GGF would have been on the permanent staff. The lower ranks would have enlisted for six years, and after 6-7 weeks of initial training, they would have turned out once a year for 6-8 weeks, during which time they would have been paid as Regulars. They could serve anywhere in the UK. Men who failed out turn out could be sent to prison. Three months with hard labour for missing two calls out was common.
Quartermasters were very important to the Militia, as the uniforms, rifles and other equipment was stored between callouts, so your GGGF would have been responsible for keeping them secure, and making sure that any repairs etc were carried out, until they were needed again.
His appointment should be recorded in the London Gazette - www.london-gazette.co.uk You should search for South Mayo Militia as well as South Mayo Rifles as it often took years for chances to take effect. Similarly after 1881.
His records may be in WO97 in Kew. Lower ranks in the Militia are in WO96. If you cannot get to Kew Findmypast will publish both series by 2011. His Commissariat Staff Corps service should be in the Musters Books (WO12), while Militia musters are in WO13. You will have to visit Kew to research the Musters.
Before about 1873 the Militia came under the Lord Lieutenant of the county rather than the War Office, so early records may be in the county record office, or in private hands, or have been lost.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=26
If you post his name, age and the date of the information, we may be able to provide more
Ken
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Hi Ken
Many thanks for the info.
His name is Michael James Dodd, born ~1811 Ireland, died 1st April 1876.
On his son's marriage certificate 1868, he is listed as a Gentleman. However if I have got my research right I think he was in the 87th Regiment of Foot in 1841, and is possibly listed on the Indian Mutiny Medals Roll 1857-59. He was pensioned out of the army and in 1861 is listed as a chelsea pensioner, so he may have gone back to Ireland and taken on the role with the South Mayo Rifles.
I am going to get a researcher to check the full records at Kew as we have 3 generations of army service from the period of ~1830 - 1905 to investigate.
Regards
CoxDodd
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Hi Ken
Have searched the gazette and found no mention of his appointment, I guess NCO's weren't often mentioned.
CoxDodd
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In the 1862 Army List the post of quartermaster is held by R W Jeffreys and he holds the post until June 1878 when the LG announces his transfer to another Militia. You will have to check Army Lists between these dates to see if he stepped down for a time.
Ken
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Can anyone tell me if my gggf James Rush born 1829 in Aughaval, County Mayo was a color sargeant for the South Mayo Rifles? If so any info would be appreciated.
He married my gggm Elizabeth Fitzpatrick born 1841.
They came to Australia somewhere between 1873-1875.
Sandy
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James RUSH born1829 Aughavale, Westport, Mayo
Attested at Bury, Lancashire 28 June 1850 into 88th Foot, discharged as a Corporal, medically unfit at Chatham, 30 October 1855
James RUSH born1829 Aughavale, Westport, Mayo
Attested at Bury, Lancashire 28 June 1850 into 88th Foot, discharged as a Corporal, medically unfit at Chatham, 30 October 1855.
Jebber
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I understand my G G Grandfather Samuel Darnell transfered from the 56 Regiment of foot to the South Mayo Rifles sometime in the 1850s I belive he was a sargent Keith373
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Can someone help
I note that the South Mayo Militia was "raised" in 1793.
Can anyone tell me if a unit/militia exited in South Mayo before 1793 and if so was it the forerunner to the SMM.
Julie
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My ggg grandfather, James Knowlen (or Nowlan) is listed on my gg grandmother's christening record in November 1818 as a sergeant in the South Mayo Militia. Can you please see if you have any information? Thank you so much!
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I am looking for information on Peter O'Malley who was a Lieutenant with the South Mayo Militia. He died on 4th Oct 1850 aged 67 (so born about 1783).
Any pointers would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Maurice
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He had a son, John Johnston O'Malley, who married Mary Keighron in 1848, and they had a child John Joseph O'Malley, born in New Ross, Wexford in 1849.