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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 11:46 BST (UK)

Title: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 11:46 BST (UK)

Please help me with military records. Looking for a Chelsea Pensioner pensioner and need help as I am new to this sort of record.

Alexander Watson born in Stirling, Scotland in 1808-1812 served in the Royal Artillery. I know this because we found his death certificate in Scotland for 1872. Would be grateful for any help to find his service or pension info if he was granted one.

Thank you.

Drew

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 28 July 23 11:56 BST (UK)

There's this possibility. Number 1057. Born Stirling circa 1812. Served from 1833 to 1856, including 8+ years in Gibraltar.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1355%2F099%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1355%2F731321

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 11:58 BST (UK)

Thank you Shaun.

That is him... I don't have a Findmypast sub which is a nuisance. Oh well

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 12:11 BST (UK)

Can I ask please, is this sort of record likely to provide details of parents, mariiage etc? Thanks

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 28 July 23 12:27 BST (UK)

Can I ask please, is this sort of record likely to provide details of parents, mariiage etc?

Unfortunately not! Army records from that time are very thin.

There are a couple of other records at the National Archives:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12673354

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13192843

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 28 July 23 12:32 BST (UK)

Is he the one in Elgin in 1851? Looks likely that he married a Jessie Man(?) (probably a widow) sometime between 1841 and 1844.

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 12:42 BST (UK)

yes he is in Elgin in 1851. Died there in 1872. His wife was Jessie Davidson

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 12:45 BST (UK)

I see he enlisted in 1833. I woder where he was at the time.

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 28 July 23 12:57 BST (UK)

He attested in Glasgow.

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 28 July 23 12:59 BST (UK)

There is a stepdaughter Jessie Man in the 1851 census, aged 10, and a son aged 7. Hence my assumption that he was married to a widow between 1841 and 1844.

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 13:00 BST (UK)

Ah ok, thanks

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 13:02 BST (UK)

Shaun - attested in Glasgow thanks. Hoping this will help go further back.

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: ShaunJ on Friday 28 July 23 13:02 BST (UK)

He was discharged as unfit by reason of his deafness.

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 13:03 BST (UK)

Given he was in the Artillery -- too many loud bangs!!

Title: Re: Alexander Watson
Post by: Rann69 on Friday 28 July 23 19:50 BST (UK)

I must try and get a copy his record that you've quoted from.