Curragh and Shorncliffe Camps 1898 & 1908 - Regiments

[JohnnyMills]

I would appreciate some help in researching my Great Grandfathers early military career.

The facts are:

Lt Quartermaster John Richard Sealy Mills, 11th PAO Hussars
Died of Wounds May 1918 (buried Cheriton, Kent), aged 49 (born 1869)

That information comes from family knowledge, CWGC, and the Regimental history at the Winchester Barracks.

I know what he did during the war but have always wondered what he did beforehand. I know he had a military background but that he wasn't serving at the outbreak of the war.

The 1911 census shows him in Edmonton, Middlesex, working as a Steward Marine. He had a wife and 2 children and this is where I need to start putting some meat on the bones.

My Grandfather was born at Shorncliffe Barracks in 1908.
His brother was born at Curragh Barracks in 1898.

In the 1901 census, my Great-Grandmother was listed as visiting her father in Kent and had her first born son with her. My Great-Grandfather was not with them. We know he served in the Boer War.

So, I'm looking for a regiment that was at Curragh Barracks in 1898, abroad (Africa) in 1901 and in Shorncliffe in 1908.

I'm forming the opinion that he was with the 11th pre-war, retired between 1908 and 1914, then rejoined the regiment, and given his age and experience, was made Lt Quartermaster, a position given senior NCO's.

Have I talked myself into a solution?! Can anyone confirm my guess work? Does someone have detailed records of NCO's serving in the 11th (the Regimental museum doesn't).

Thanks very much indeed.

[km1971]

Hi Johnny

Do you have his WW1 medal index card? I can post it if you haven’t. It says he was firstly GS/3277 Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant in the Reserve Cavalry Regiment, before becoming a Lieutenant and Quarter Master in the Hussars. It also gives his widow’s address.

The 11th Hussars did not serve in the Boer War. In the Medal Roll there is a 3030 Sgt J R Mills in the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He earned the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, and South Africa 1902. They arrived in SA in January 1901.

I cannot discover where the 3rd DG or 11th Hussars were in 1898, but the 3rd Provisional Regiment of Dragoons were based in Shorncliffe around the right time. As there was a break in service his first set of papers should be in Kew in WO97 for men discharged between 1900 and 1913. These are original documents so you will have to visit, or wait for Findmypast to publish them – due 2011.

Ken

[JohnnyMills]

Ken,

That's absolutely amazing! No, I don't have his index card. You've just solved a family debate, in the space of 5 minutes.

Everything you say makes sense. I know he was in SA because my father was christened in a piece of silk taken from a dead Boer!

Anything you have would be very gratefully received, including sources.

Thanks once again - remarkable.