The Royal Horse Guards

[km1971]

The RHG became part of the Household Cavalry rather than being Foot Guards. Their copies of records are supposed to be in WO400 in the National Archives - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=3&CATID=60539&SearchInit=4&SearchType=6&CATREF=WO400 – rather than in their museum. Although it is always worth asking – unless they expect a ‘donation’.

But as you have his 'discharge' papers, I believe you already have all that is available - enlistment/attestment are filed with any discharge papers to form a man's 'service record'. Looking for a museum copy is usually only necessary when a man died while serving, as the War Office would have destroyed his papers 20 years later, while the regimental museums had their own policy.

The minimum age to be a Private/Trooper was usually 18. Generally people did not need birth certificates until old age pensions were introduced in Edwardian times. They certainly do not need one to join the army. Army forms do not record next of kin until c1880.

I do not understand the bit about his LSGC medal and you obtaining a copy. If his papers do not include information on him being in the defaulter’s book, there is no other sources. It is likely to be for a minor crime like being late off furlough, or missing a bit of kit. His ‘record’ should tell you if he lost a good conduct badge because of it or received (say) 3 days CB – confined to barracks. If not, that part of his record has been culled in the intervening 146 years to save space.

Ken

[Caro]

I downloaded James RUTHERFORD's discharge papers from findmypast. However, he enlisted in Edinburgh, Scotland, so would those papers be archived elsewhere? Or have been copied over into the discharge papers? I've found some next-of-kin, addresses, etc., for other regiments pre-1880. Just luck I suppose. I need some for this James, otherwise I'll never find his family.

The discharge papers listed his good conduct badges, defaulters (one), and mentioned the silver medal for good conduct and long service - that's what I'd like a copy of, the medal.

Dean1: I'm curious about the little photo; I have a very similar one (different dress, lady) probably of JR's wife.

[Dean1]

Hi,

The lady in the photograph is Sarah Ellen Sutcliffe 1845-1902.   She was born in Blackburn, Lancs and married Christopher Cronshaw 1845 - 1900.   He was born in Accrington, Lancashire.   They were my G Grandparents on the paternal side.

Sue