13th Hussars - 1890 to 1916

[jambouk]

I am researching family history. I've found out my Great Great Grandfather, Arthur Finch, was a sergeant in the 13th Hussars - I only found that out this morning when his daughters birth certificate came through the post.

I'm trying to find out anything more I can about him, to help continue with the tree.

I'm not sure when he was born, but I am assuming about 1870 given the age of his wife. His eldest child was born in 1892 so I guess he married Janet McLean (or MacLean born 1874) in 1890-1892 though I'm not sure where. She was born in Sheerness, Kent. Interestingly their children were born:

- Ballincollig (Cork) 1892 and 1893
- Dundalk 1896
- Dublin 1897
- Hounslow (Heston Barracks) 1900 which seems to follow the whereabouts of the 13th Hussars.

In the 1901 census the family is living in 110 Priory Street, Colchester with another family (the Williams') but there are no men-folk registered at the address - where they away, or dead?

By 1916 when one of his daughters (Christine Louise) got married, he was dead.

I'm really keen to find out more about his roots (parents and siblings) to continue tracing that side of the tree back, but also very interested to learn more about him and his role in the army and where and when he died.

Any help out there, or pointers in the right direction?

Kind regards

James Dawson
Birmingham

[Hackstaple]

In 1901 the 13th Hussars were in South Africa - the Anglo-Boer War.
Colchester was a miltary town with many regiments quartered . It was the home base of this regiment of which Baden-Powell was once the adjutant.

Arthur Finch is not listed as a casualty in WWI [Commonwealth War Graves] so his death occurred earlier or in another way.
I will look around for more detail but other Rootschatters may be quicker then me.
 

[jambouk]

That was quick! Thank you.

I had guessed he died pre-WWI, but it must have been post 1899 as the youngest child was born in August 1900.

I've just established the 13th were also referred to as Lillywhites, and I've since found a replica silver badge I've ordered off the internet - it was only £4!

James

[jambouk]

I've also just found this list on the net, where a Sgt A Finch in listed, but not sure if it helps matters or not:

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/kevinasplin/CAVDF.html

James

[Hackstaple]

That is the list of soldiers who were awarded the Queens South Africa Medal so we have confirmation that Sgt. A. Finch, 13th Hussars served in the Boer War.
That is why he was not with his family at the 1901 census.

I have had a bit of a look around but I have not yet found his marriage nor his death. The latter might be hard to confirm as the indexes only give name, date and registry of death. Only an examination of the death certificate can confirm.

He probably did die in service as his daughter listed his occupation as that. If he retired then he would have had another listed occupation. 

[jambouk]

Thanks again, that it's really useful to learn that he was in the Boer War.

There are several Arthur Finch's who died between 1900 and 1916 registered on the standard BMD index. If he died in action, where would the death have been registered, in Africa, or his home town / registry office, or somewhere specific?

James

[Hackstaple]

I found the marriage of an Arthur Finch at Colchester in 1889 but no woman on the same page is a match. Colchester Sep 1889 Vol. 4a P. 646.

I also looked through the deaths registered but working on his probable DOB of 1868 -1871 I cannot find a plausible death between 1900 and 1916.

I have not found a marriage for Janet McLean/MacLean at the right time. Do you have her birth details?

[jambouk]

Blimey - that is impressive.

Janet McLean, b 1874 to Alexander McLean (b c1838) and Agnes McLean (b c1840) in Sheerness, Kent - this information is from the 1881 census. It might not be the right Janet McLean, but she is the only Janet McLean born in Sheerness I can find, and the 1901 census from Colchester states Janet Finch  was born in Sheerness.

James

[Hackstaple]

I was wrong - in 1890 the Home Depot of the 13th Hussars was at Canterbury so that accounts for Arthur meeting Janet from nearby Sheerness.

Janet's birth was registered at  Sheppey, Kent Dec 1873 Vol 2a, P 774.

In1901 on the census she is shown as married so we can be fairly sure Arthur did not die in South Africa.