Help finding 1861 soldier record

[M.T.H]

It is possible to find out where regiments were at any given time as the the army kept monthly returns for all regiments, but it requires a visit to the national archives at Kew.

Thanks for that Mick, a visit to Kew at least look promising doesn't it 

Definately,if you can get there! I'm like a kid in a toy shop whenever I go to TNA!!

The monthly returns for a regiment,which included their location,can be found in the muster rolls.Most records up until 1878 are in WO12, but those for the Artillery,Engineers and other corps are in WO10,11,14 and 15.Muster rolls were quarterly,each usually recording three 'monthly' returns.They note a units location and lists officers and soldiers names,ranks ,pay,dates of enlistment,discharge or death,punishments,time spent in hospital or other abscence from the regiment.The last muster roll on which a man appears should give a reason for the end of his service.

Regards,Mick

[sewingfooi]

Ok, I'm back again LOL.  What if my Charles Bailey is a deserter?  Will the regiment record say that or will he just disappear without explanation from the roles?
Dorothy

[M.T.H]

What if my Charles Bailey is a deserter? 

Hi Dorothy,

The harsh conditions and discipline did cause a lot of men to desert from the army.From 1799 until 1852 there is a register of deserters at the national archives,they are in WO25 and filed by regiment.They note a mans age and description and also the dates and places of enlistment and desertion.Trouble is,your man was in the army in 1861 and I'm not too sure if a deserters register exists after 1852,I'll see if I can find out for you.

If your man did desert,it will certainly be noted on his record.The description books that I mentioned earlier described the men in enough detail for them to be identified if they deserted,hence the name.

Regards,Mick

[Wendi]

Hi Dorothy,

Put us out of our misery Please 

What is your fascination with Charles?

Wendi

[liverpool annie]

Hi Mick!

I wonder if Mack has access to the Police Gazette for those years - maybe you could ask him if he doesn't pick up this thread!

Army: Deserters
There is an incomplete card index at The National Archives to army deserters (1689-1830), compiled from bounty certificates of rewards paid out of locally-collected taxes to those who had turned the deserter in. The index covers only rewards paid out in London and Middlesex (from E 182/594 to E 182/673 ) and in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Cheshire (E 182/2 to E 182/114 ). The main part of the index is of deserters, giving date and regiment:, as well as a reference to E 182 by piece number and sub-number. There is also a sequence by county, as well as cross-references from entries like "Dragoons", "Fencibles" and "Militia" to the main sequence. If you order one of these E 182 references, you will get one or more large boxes of tax documents, with no obvious clue as to where the bounty certificates will be. Look amongst the many unwrapped bundles of documents for a bundle wrapped up in linsen paper (a stiff brown paper).

There are registers of deserters, 1811-1852, in WO 25/2906 to WO 25/2934 . Until 1827 they are kept in three series, for cavalry, infantry and militia (the latter up to 1820 only). After 1827 they are arranged by regiment. These registers give descriptions, dates and place of enlistment and desertion, and outcome. There are registers of captured deserters, 1813-1845, in WO 25/2935 to WO 25/2951 , with indexes up to 1833 in WO 25/2952 , WO 25/2953 , and WO 25/2954 . Deserters who surrendered themselves under proclamation, 1803-1815, are in WO 25/2955 . On capture, some deserters were sentenced to imprisonment on the Savoy hulk: there are unindexed registers for the hulk, 1799-1823 (WO 25/2956 ).

Local newspapers and (for 1828 to 1845) the police newspapers Hue and Cry and the Police Gazette carried details of deserters, giving name, parish and county of birth, regiment, date and place of desertion, a physical description and other relevant information. For deserters in Australia (HO 75 ), consult Y Fitzmaurice, Army Deserters from HM Service (Forest Hill, Victoria, 1988)
 
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=23&j=1

But Dorothy - what makes you think he was a deserter 

Annie 

[sewingfooi]

Dear Helpers!
I suspect that my great grandfather Charles Davies was an army deserter who changed his name and eventually brought his whole family to the US.  There are a variety of family legend reasons and the fact that his sister's death certificate listed her maiden name as Bailey.  My mother is definitely not talking. Very upset with me for wanting to know and I am determined to find out. This Charles Bailey fits my criteria so far. If he were a deserter I think I may be hot!
Thanks everyone! you are great!
Dorothy

[Wendi]

So Dorothy it's not going to be an easy visit to The National Archives (UK Limited) is it 

Dorothy, and anyone else who is watching - I'm on a mission to encourage everyone to loosely fill in their Location on their profiles - it makes it much easier for us to answer questions pertinent to your geographical location.

Like  suggesting that you persue your research at Kew in the immediate  future, is it  

[sewingfooi]

Wendi-
I guess what I should be asking you all is if you can recommend an honest researcher, LOL. How do you know who to ask? What if they charge you for hours and hours?  Would it take hours and hours to research a very specific person in a certain regiment? If you were an expert?  I have no idea and I don't have unlimited funds, LOL.
Dorothy

[liverpool annie]

Hi Dorothy!

Maybe you could read this - it may give you some ideas!!

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/gettingstarted/paid_research.htm?source=ddmenu_research7

Annie