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Armed Forces / Re: 2nd West Yorks Militia circa 1811
« on: Tuesday 14 June 16 22:40 BST (UK) »
OK so she was definitely born in Edinburgh then as Canongate is in Edinburgh.
Yes the Militia was a military reserve and they had to attend training for a number of weeks each year. They used to hold a ballot to decide who must join but if you were chosen, you could pay a substitute to take your place if you didn't want to. However, most people would be too poor to pay a substitute so would have no choice.
Yes they had to march everywhere and must have been exhausted.
During times of war, they would be permanently embodied. Our ancestors were in the militia during the Napoleonic Wars and so would have been protecting the coastline from the threat of invasion by the French. The miltia could not be sent abroad though.
In fact, my ancestor was persuaded to transfer from the militia to the regular army in 1813 and was then sent to fight at the Battle of New Orleans and later to France. I was able to follow his movements throughout his life by looking at the records at Kew. It took me on an interesting journey and was absolutely fascinating. Something which I couldn't have done if he hadn't been a soldier.
Anyway, good luck with your research and I won't forget to have a look at the 1814 records next time I go to Kew.
Best Wishes
Ermin
Yes the Militia was a military reserve and they had to attend training for a number of weeks each year. They used to hold a ballot to decide who must join but if you were chosen, you could pay a substitute to take your place if you didn't want to. However, most people would be too poor to pay a substitute so would have no choice.
Yes they had to march everywhere and must have been exhausted.
During times of war, they would be permanently embodied. Our ancestors were in the militia during the Napoleonic Wars and so would have been protecting the coastline from the threat of invasion by the French. The miltia could not be sent abroad though.
In fact, my ancestor was persuaded to transfer from the militia to the regular army in 1813 and was then sent to fight at the Battle of New Orleans and later to France. I was able to follow his movements throughout his life by looking at the records at Kew. It took me on an interesting journey and was absolutely fascinating. Something which I couldn't have done if he hadn't been a soldier.
Anyway, good luck with your research and I won't forget to have a look at the 1814 records next time I go to Kew.
Best Wishes
Ermin