any help here please?
Have found out that the reason I cannot find one of my relatives in 1871 is that he, George Bentley, was a bandsman onboard HMS Rattlesnake in the Ashanti War.
The George Bentley awarded the naval medal had the following particulars. Born in Canterbury on the 10 of December 1839. (This confirms the George Bentley recorded in the Army Chaplain’s Registers as having been born at Canterbury.) Enlisted into the Navy on the 26 of October 1866. His height was 5’ 6”, dark complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, and his trade, that of a Musician. He served aboard the “Flora” until the 2 of May 1869 and then in the “Rattlesnake” from the 3 of July 1869 until the 25 of March 1874, when he was “Discharged ashore, paid off.” His rank was Bandsman and his number 667343. His conduct was shown as “very good,” and being in possession of one G.C. badge.
Would a census have been done on a ship??? Would his wife be with him onboard? (I can't find her 'at home')
Anyone able to help?
