Belinda - and anyone interested in the 45th Regiment of Foot (aka Sherwood Foresters) - the following may be useful:
Dalbiac, P H: History of the 45th, first Nottinghamshire Regiment (published London, Swan Sonnenschein, 1902)
Col H C Wylly wrote an official regimental history of the 45th: you could find out more from the regimental museum:
Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) The Castle, Nottingham NG 6EL. e-mail
rhqwfr-nottm@lineone.net www.wfrmuseum.org.uk These details correct in 2006.
The museum does NOT hold individual service records of the 45th - these are at The National Archives Kew. Search the TNA catalogue at
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp?j=1(used to be PROCAT) You may need a military history researcher to access the actual records but finding a reference on the catalogue could save time. Check for muster rolls, 45th Regiment of Foot.
Belinda, I don't suppose you have an approx date for ALLISTON's desertion from the regiment in Natal? The 45th served in this area for a very long period - from 1843-1859 (a record for any garrison in Natal). Some deserters (any regiment) were mentioned in the Natal Government Gazette - see some examples at
www.genealogyworld.net/rose/deserters.html - though they don't include ALLISTON but it shows that such men do emerge in the Gazette. However if ALLISTON was a very early deserter he may not be mentioned in that source. You have his regimental number, which is a bonus, and may be a clue for searching records at TNA Kew.
See also
http://www.rapidttp.com/milhist/vol043at.html another article on the SA Military History Soc site - additional to the article previously suggested by Izabel.
I attach photo of Fort Napier.
Regards, Mole
