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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: janthedig on Monday 18 June 18 15:42 BST (UK)
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Just wondering how the wives and children of servicemen would travel. In particular, I am interested in the return from India, of the 72nd Highlanders/1st Batt Seaforths. Any help with actual info, or on how to find it, much appreciated!
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The travelled by sea, on a troopship if travelling with the Regiment and were included on the strength, otherwise by ordinary passenger ship. If the soldier had married without consent and they were not officially on strength the would have to pay their way.
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Haven't quite found 1882 yet but the following link showing troopship movements 1878-1881 will give an idea.
www.garenewing.co.uk/angloafghanwar/resources/troopship_crocodile.php
MaxD
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If you are able to access the newspapers on Findmypast or elsewhere, there are plenty of articles relating to the return in 1882 of the Seaforths. They left India in
January 1882 (see Hanes Teulu post) but stopped at Aden and Egypt for the Anglo Egyptian War and look to have arrived in England October/November. It would suggest that their families came home separately.
MaxD
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Thanks all! That's really helpful. MaxD, I shall keep an eye out for 1882 in the future; great work so far though :-)
I have a 'missing' child in this branch of my tree, who was born in Kasouli but is never mentioned again, doesn't appear in the 1891 census or any death records that I can find. So I was thinking he may have died on the voyage home and that any lists of passengers might give me a clue.
I shall keep searching - thanks again :-)
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Have you been able to check the overseas army deaths for the appropriate time?
MaxD
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The 72nd Highlanders left Bombay around the 6th July 1882 as part of a force of 1,800 Europeans, 5,000 native troops, three batteries, together with the horses for transport, and 2,000 mules for Suez and the Egypt campaign.
It doesn't state if families accompanied the force. Perhaps, travelled with the force and continued on from Suez or travelled separately?
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By 4 Nov 1882 the regiment was quartered at Parkhurst Barracks, Isle of Wight.
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Yes MaxD, I have looked and his birth and baptism is there but no sign of his death and I can't find him in BMDs for the UK either.
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I have amended my earlier post re the date of leaving India.
There is no mention I can find of when (or if?) the families joined the battalion at Parkhurst. There is a great number of references to the battalion's journey and arrival but none mention waiting families. Where they were is a wee bit of a mystery?
I'm sure you will have looked everywhere but would you like to post the child's name and date of birth for other eyes to have a go?
MaxD
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I would be happy to MaxD, thank you! Details are as follows:
John Edward ALEXANDER
Born: 01/08/1881
Baptised: 17/08/1881
He was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (nee Brown) Alexander and was born in Kasauli. Joseph was a Sergeant in the 1st Battn Seaforth Highlanders (72nd)
I think the families must have been in Parkhurst at some point, as their next son was born there.
Thanks again :-)
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I had a look at Joseph on the 1911 Census to check the "Children who have died" column.
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Thanks hanes teulu, yes, they had 16 in total and 6 died; John Edward is the only one of the 6 for which I can't find details of death.
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The index records of British Armed Forces overseas deaths and deaths at sea have John Alexander aged 1 died on the Serapis [a troopship] in 1882. The GRO ref is page 413 line 33 in the GRO Marine Deaths register.
maxD
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Oh my word! MaxD you are an saint! Thank you so much! My guess was correct at least but I didn't have the correct resources! Thank you!
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The GRO will have the exact date, only the index for the document DMR2 1846-1902 is on line.
https://www.richardjoslin.com/gallery-detail.php/The-Troopship-i-Serapis-i-off-Bombay-Circa-1870-99/
As far as I can see she arrived in UK from Bombay in January, May and December. The arrival in December included 93 women and 166 children, there were 7 deaths on the voyage.
MaxD
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Wonderful, thank you so much!