formation of ASC 1875/100th regiment of foot

[winstoncunningham]

Hi,

I have a relative, Private Charles Allkins b. Derby 1847, with the 100th Regiment in 1871 census. The census record is marked by Ancestry as ''Burnley'', but that may be admin district.

He marries Margaret Glenn in Burnley 1871, and their first child Charles W. Allkins is born Aldershot 1872.

Just for interest  .

WC

[km1971]

Hi WC

The main force were in Wellington Barracks, Bury for the 1871 Census - http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/?htx=view&r=5538&dbid=7619&iid=lanrg10_3959_3961-0385&fn=Jeremiah+B&ln=Kersteman&st=r&ssrc=&pid=29530222

But they would have been spread around other towns like your relative. They moved to Aldershot in June 1871.

Ken

[winstoncunningham]

Thanks Ken

Having read a little about the 100th, they seemed quite a cosmopolitan unit, drawn from Canada, Ireland etc etc. (confirmed by the census report you sent me) and formed initially to serve a specific purpose (Indian Mutiny). How did an ordinary private from Derby end up joining a regiment like that? Or were the lower ranks just attached to units at the commanding officers' behest on joining up?

Regards
WC

[km1971]

How did an ordinary private from Derby end up joining a regiment like that? Or were the lower ranks just attached to units at the commanding officers' behest on joining up?

The CO only looked after his own regiment. When there was shortage they would send recruiting sergeants far and wide. Even when the battlion were in Canada they would have had a Depot in the UK.

Within a few years they were linked with the 109th (Madras Infantry) which was another single-battalion regiment, with a regimental district in Birr. After 1881 they were formally merged into the Leinster Regiment.

Ken

[winstoncunningham]

Many thanks Ken

WC