Help with service papers 1859 - 1881

[km1971]

They seem to have culled the papers just leaving the discharge papers. I have come across this a lot recently. You need to spend a long day at Kew going through the Muster and Pay Lists. As well as getting his promotions/demotions they will tell you where his was on the first of each month, plus how much he was paid, and if he got into trouble.

Ken

[SueJW]

Hi

That would be nice but unlikely to happen. The thought of London scares me never mind Kew    I cheated with the various army papers I have by paying a researcher. That was in the days when I worked full time. Can't afford that now.

Still, I got my grandfathers', gt grandfathers' 2 gt gt uncles' and my maternal grandfathers' navy records. Can't complain can I?

The one I really want is my fathers'. But I don't even know what regt he served in. Would never talk about it as he was invalided out without seeing action and, silly man, said he was ashamed. (WW2). Unfortunately he nor anyone from those days is around any more. Maybe one day!!

Sue

[cuckoo]

hello ive been looking for my ggrandfather thomas williams born 1838 oswestry, i was told that he was in connaught rangers but now have actually think  he was  ist battalion 5th fusiliers northumberland, and i found him on 1861 census at st botolphs colchester, so after reading your posts im convinced ive found correct regiment, my ggrandfather was in india for 13 years coming home in 1880 i now need to find muster rolls but if anyone has any advise id be thankfull,good luck with your research.

[km1971]

The 1st Battalion the 5th Regiment arrived back in Portsmouth in December 1880.

Ken

[cuckoo]

thanks ken, my ggrandfather came home early 1880 due to exhaustion after spending 13 years in india,any idea if army would haved housed him when he returned or would he have had to come home and be left to his own resourses, by 1881 he was working on railway in oswestry, shropshire, if anyone else had family in india with 1st battalion 5th regiment during this time i would love to hear from them, thanks

[cuckoo]

hi a quick follow up, ive just found out from little book by helen walker that 1st batt 5th reg northumberlands set sail to india 1867 on hms urgent,

[cuckoo]

hi sue i think youll find it was 1st batt 5th regiment northumberland fusiliers.

[cuckoo]

i dont know if this is any help but on 1861 census for st botolhs colchester there is along with my ggrandfather a thomas hardy born norfolk hope this still may be of help to sue.

[km1971]

Sorry I have just noticed your post of last Friday. Once discharged a man was left to fend for himself. The pension for a Private with 12 years service would have been about 4d a day - more if he served longer and left at a higher rank. It was paid 7 days a week and for life. But not enough to live on. Whatever the impact of his service iin India he was well enough to get a job on the railways.

Ken