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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: annaandchester on Friday 09 December 11 23:04 GMT (UK)

Title: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: annaandchester on Friday 09 December 11 23:04 GMT (UK)
Anyone got any ideas where you would get chelsea pensioner details from?
I am researching a Blackwatch soldier (4th great grandfather) who I know was pensioned off as a Chelsea Pensioner.

Any tips or advice greatfully received.

Anna
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: John915 on Friday 09 December 11 23:35 GMT (UK)
Good evening Anna,

In pursuit of your quest you need to know whether your 4g grandfather was an in or out pensioner. Until 1955 all army pensions were paid from Chelsea so all ex soldiers were Chelsea Pensioners. In pensioners, the famous men in red, gave up their pension in return for a place at the Royal Hospital. Out pensioners kept their pension and lived wherever they wished. But they were all Chelsea Pensioners, you can get limited info from here; http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/contact-feedback

John915
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: gortonboy on Saturday 10 December 11 00:30 GMT (UK)
hi,,what was his name,,and when and where was he born ?  ;)
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: annaandchester on Saturday 10 December 11 14:14 GMT (UK)
Hi there - thanks for the responses.
His name is Angus McLeod - we think he was born about 1784 possibly on Skye.  He joined 42nd Regiment of Foot (Black Watch) on 5 April 1809 and served throughout the Peninsula War and was at Waterloo. 

He is listed in the Peninsula Medal Roll 1793-1814 as Angus Mcleod, 42nd Reg of Foot.

Many thanks

Anna
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: km1971 on Saturday 10 December 11 16:32 GMT (UK)
Hi Anna

You need to be careful with a name like this in a highland regiment. To be awarded a medal for the wars against France and the USA you had to be alive in June 1847. So it is possible that there was more than one serving at the time, but only one lived long enough to receive the medal.

There is this record on microfilm in the National Archives - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-6307962&CATLN=7&Highlight=%2CANGUS%2CMCLEOD%2C42ND&accessmethod=0

The fact it was Kilmainham rather than Chelsea hospital suggests he retired to Ireland. The year after his discharge Chelsea hospital took over the running of pensions for the whole of the UK.

Where did you get the information that he was in the 42nd Regiment? From 1804 to 1812 they had a second battalion. Both battalions served in the Peninsular.

Ken
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: t mo on Saturday 10 December 11 21:35 GMT (UK)
hi all
hope this may help .

in waterloo medal roll 1815 there are 2 angus macleods first  a drummer in 42nd of foot - cpt james stirlings company and
angus macleod private ist bat 79th of foot  cpt wm bruces company no 1

in the service /pension records the earliest for an angus macleod  is born 1784 born killarney 21st of foot ,
the next record for an angus macleod is one with a birth date of 1801  place of birth -dornoch ross and cromarty  in 85th of foot .
if you need any more look ups just ask  ;)
regards
trevor

ps found this in 1861 worldwide army index

angus macleod  army no 2241 rank sgt 79th of foot [ cameron highlanders ] depot in stirling castle .  tna ref wo12/ 8432
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: annaandchester on Friday 23 December 11 19:00 GMT (UK)
Thanks everyone.
As there is a strong family connection to the Blackwatch (42nd Regiment of Foot) I am assuming that he is the drummer under Capt James.
I do not think he retired to Ireland as he is on the census's in Liverpool although I cannot rule anything out although this would mean he is an out pensioner and his wife on the census is listed as Jane so this is likely to be a second marriage as we know that he married a belgian woman called Elizabeth De Courcy who he met when serving abroad.

Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: lindapupcat on Saturday 21 January 12 14:39 GMT (UK)
hi,,what was his name,,and when and where was he born ?  ;)

Hello,
Not sure if I am doing this properly.  Is it possible you could give me advice too? My 4 x Grandfather was a Corporal in the 42nd Regiment at Edinburgh Castle and married Elizabeth Cameron in 1816. He is shown as a pensioner on Elizabeth death notice in 1841.
I would be pleased if you could give me some information or guide me in the c orrect direction as I can't find his birth record or his death.
Title: Re: Chelsea Pensioners
Post by: lindapupcat on Saturday 21 January 12 14:41 GMT (UK)
hi,,what was his name,,and when and where was he born ?  ;)

Hello,
Not sure if I am doing this properly.  Is it possible you could give me advice too? My 4 x Grandfather James Russell was a Corporal in the 42nd Regiment at Edinburgh Castle and married Elizabeth Cameron in 1816. He is shown as a pensioner on Elizabeth death notice in 1841.
I would be pleased if you could give me some information or guide me in the c orrect direction as I can't find his birth record or his death.