Obtaining service record of member of Royal Marines Light Infantry pre-1907

[J from Canada]

I'd appreciate any advice on how to obtain the service record or any details about Edward Charles Gay b. 1876 and found on 1901 census in Royal Marines Barracks, Stonehouse, Devon but then pensioned out and dead of TB in Brompton Sanitorium, Surrey in 1907. I have no idea about his rank or number.

Joanna from Canada

[nickgc]

I presume that you have looked at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

For me it is a frustrating site to decipher how to use, or even how to go about ordering items, especially from outside the UK.  Perhaps someone else will be able to respond with better info.   I too am looking for the service record of Sgt John Simpson, Royal Marines, as well as a couple of army relations.

Good luck.

Nick 

[angela.mark1]

My gr.grandfather was on HMS Mersey  (Queenstown) in  1870 as a Marine, i believe he died in active service between 1881 and 1891(census dates) I can find no record of his death it's a complete mystery. It's possible he may have been awarded Ashanti Medal and Egyptian Medal 1882.
As he lived in Gosport i take it he was  at Forton Barracks  or came under Portsmouth Div.
Why can i not find his death ? would i be able to get his service record given the date ? were marines issued with a service number then.
His name  Richard Saunders/Sanders Born 1850 Rothwell Northamptonshire.

I would be grateful  of suggestion's where i can look next.

[Jebber]

The National Archives have the records for a Richard SANDERS who may be yours, you will need to pay to download the records to learn more.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7739958

Jebber

[angela.mark1]

Many thanks Jebber, by a sheer fluke   this afternoon i found his death in a news paper having died in a railway accident October 1886 and given a military funeral. i would still like his military record each report of his death, inquest and funeral spell it Saunders, the one you kindly sent me  DOB is wrong but then he might of lied
but finish date is wrong . I find looking in National Archives very confusing.

[Jebber]

A shame it was not his record, but I am glad you have managed to find some more information on him.