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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Martha 14 on Tuesday 13 May 14 22:37 BST (UK)

Title: Deed Chelsea Pensioner
Post by: Martha 14 on Tuesday 13 May 14 22:37 BST (UK)

One of my families ancestors enlisted in the 35th foot in July 1799 and then enlisted in the Royal artillery in October 1799 and was in the 6th battalion.  He was discharged from the army "in consequence of a reduction and admitted to the pension list" on 7th September 1814. 

I have his discharge papers from the archive - would anyone know what the 6th battalion would have been doing (I'm assuming fighting napoleon in the peninsular) or how I could find out about the movements of the battalion or if I am likely to find any more about George Deed's army career.  What was the reduction in the army - was this simply that they thought we had defeated Napoleon? 

thanks

Title: Re: Deed Chelsea Pensioner
Post by: km1971 on Tuesday 13 May 14 22:56 BST (UK)

A reduction was as you say a reduction in the size of the army. So men discharged were given a pension when normally they had to serve about 21 years.

The musters for 1809 to 1814 are in the National Archives. These will tell you where he was.

If he was alive in 1847 he may have been awarded a medal for the Peninsular. So the clasps will tell you the battles he was in.

Ken