rincess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers

[cesjak]

My GGGrandfather served with the 2nd Bat Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers during the period of the 1880's to the late 1890's. I would like to obtain his service record but am at a loss of how to go about this.
I believe that the records for the Irish regiments are held in Ireland. Are these records readily obtainable and, if so, would they be obtainable without having to go there ?

My ancestors name was John Low(e). He was described as a Lance Corporal on his marriage certificate and was a civilian by the 1901 census. I believe he may have attained the rank of sergeant by the end of his service.

Also I would be grateful for any information regarding this unit during the period that my ancestor would have been with the colours. I am particularly interested in where they would have been stationed at that time.

Any information will be gratefully received

[mmm45]

http://royalirishrangers.co.uk/irish.html

This may help 2nd Batt were in Sudan in that timescale

Ady

[km1971]

I believe that the records for the Irish regiments are held in Ireland.

Surviving records for British soldiers and regiments are in the National Archives in Kew. Soldiers records (in WO97) are filed according to date of discharge. Muster books for the regiments up to the mid 1890s are in WO12. If you cannot get to Kew WO97 is being put online by Findmypast. Service records will tell you when he served at home or overseas, and which battalion of the RIF he served in. The musters tell you where each man was on the first of each month (ie town or fort), plus promotions/demotions etc.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/army/step4.htm

Ken

[cesjak]

Thanks for the info. I've had a look at the TNA site. I will need a district number to find the correct documents. Would you know where to find a list of these districts ?

The Sudan does fit in with family knowledge. Will also look at the medal rolls.

Thanks for the help

[TF13]

Hi cesjak,
the Royal Irish Fusiliers musuem is in Armagh.I have to visit the musuem someday;it's on my list of things to do,just don't know when i'm doing them ,so I don't know what their archive will hold but you could contact the curator and see if she could help you;you can get contact details from this link,
http://www.rootschat.com/links/07hj/

Tony