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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: greenshed on Friday 09 August 13 09:18 BST (UK)
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I am attempting to trace some concrete evidence about John Robert Alexander.
John married Emma Harriett Favatt in Mhow, India in 1882, and in 1889, Charlotte Louisa Johns in Lucknow. Both of these marriages were listed in the Army record of marriages. Emma died after the second marriage. I don't have any details about Charlotte other than the marriage and their children from the 1911 census.
He married again in 1908, Elizabeth Shoobridge at Gretna Green and the 1911 census has the family listed at 59 Yarmouth Road, Watford with John's occupation being "Army Pensioner, Hall Porter".
Findmypast has a J R Alexander listed as being a gunner, 8th Battery, 1st Brigade London Division, Royal Artillery, with his number as 23389. His involvement was in the 3rd Burmese War 1885-1887. I have an understanding of that war from google searches.
However, that is as far as I can go so far in finding information about John.
Does anyone have information about his deployment or other details that I could research. he is not a direct ancestor, the uncle to my grandmother.
Thanks
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hi
it sounds like you,ve got quite a comprehensive start for jra but you can try and flesh out more regarding deployment of the regt here www.firepower.org.uk/ the ra museum they do research so give the site a go .
regards
trevor
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The John Alexander who married Emma and then Charlotte served in the 17th Lancers - born 1857 in Wolford (should be Watford) - http://www.findmypast.co.uk/army-service-records-show-image.action?sdrfnbr=972186027
His record gives the dates of the marriages and when Emma died - before he married Charlotte. Also that his parents were John and Martha. Served in India, but not the Burmah War. But he fought the Zulus in 1879 - so far more interesting.
If you post the link to the record you have found for the gunner we can have a look at that.
Ken
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Thank you Ken & Trevor for your assistance.
I have sent an email to the Royal Artillery for any details they can provide, but with Ken's information I will need to update that.
Ken, I do not have a sub to findmypast and I obtained the info from a local library that has a sub, so I will need to copy the link in next time I call.
The info I have provided was just writing down what I could find yesterday and that is obviously not correct, or were the details you came up with using the same soldier number?
JRA's parents were John and Alexander and given what I understand were their religious affiliations it is surprising that a second son went to war.
Have you a date for Emma's death, because I had 1896?
The next challenge is to find out about the Zulu conflict in 1879.
Thanks again
Ian
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Have you a date for Emma's death, because I had 1896?
The record says she died 21 June 1888.
Ken
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Thank you Ken for that date. What was your source please?
This link provides an interesting insight into the 17th Lancers battle with the Zulus.
http://www.anglozuluwar.com/content/html3/2009/04/08/2009040809273330000100.htm
I also note that they were stationed at Hounslow which is where children born to JRA's second wife Charlotte Louisa Johns were born.
I have not yet been able to google a list of army personnel who fought in the battle. Another website mentions he could have been a lance-corporal.
Have you dates for his stay in India?
Thanks
Ian
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It all comes from his army record on FindMyPast.
Ken
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Ian,
Lance-Corporal J. Alexander, 17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers.
The 17th Lancers were sent out after the disaster at Isandlwana. They served in a Cavalry Brigade under the command of Major General Frederick Marshall, and took part in the 2nd Invasion of Zululand.
The 17th Lancers were involved in some minor skirmishes during the advance to Ulundi, where King Cetshwayo kaMpande had his 'capital'. On 2nd June, elements of the 17th Lancers took part in the search for the body of the exiled Prince Imperial of France, who was killed in an ambush on 1st June, whilst serving as a 'volunteer' with the British forces.
The 17th Lancers' major engagement in the Zulu War was the Battle of Ulundi, which was fought on 4th July 1879.
For an account of the Battle of Ulundi, see my account on: http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/ulundi/index.htm
John
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Hi John
Thank you for the link. It provides a further part of the story that I was previously unaware of.
Cheers
Ian
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I have now accessed the FindMyPast record for JRA, thanks Ken
He joined the 17th Lancers in 1875, served in South Africa parts of 1879 and then shifted to India.
Returned home to UK in 1890 and discharged from the army in 1897 after over 22 years.
Was granted medal and clasp for the South Africa stint and a long service good conduct medal in July 1895 after 20 years. Reached the rank of sargeant in 1882.
I haven't found the death notice for his second wife Charlotte Louisa Johns on the army record so she must have passed away after March 1897 and before his marriage to his third wife in 1908.
It would also be good to know where he was buried. Would it be in a returned services gravesite?
The 1911 census show he and family back in Watford.
Thanks all for your help.
Ian