Northamptonshire Regiment 1898

[Stebie9173]

I've had a look at the possible enlistment date for Thomas Pearsall Junior. It's a bit before my period, so my initial estimate wasn't all that close - I have narrowed down the date with the help of a few other service records (I had used Silver War Badge roll dates previously, which were misleading) and the date of enlistment is most likely August 1888.

This would make Thomas 17 years old, which was the minimum age of enlistment (without enlisting as a boy soldier). In theory, he wasn't old enough to serve overseas at that age, however since his father was probably still serving with the 48th in Malta at that point, the proper age of overseas service of 19 was probably irrelevant.

The 48th had been in Malta since 1867, and moved on to India in 1872, eventually returning to Ireland in 1880. I suspect that Thomas probably stayed with his father's battalion until they returned.


Have you attempted to trace the family births and marriage through the overseas Birth, Marriages and Death records.


Steve.

[stevetewk65]

Good evening Steve.

yes, the theory that 'jr' joined up while 'sr' was still around certainly sounds very plausible, 1888 certainly sounds a good fit.

No, to be truthful I came across their joint Northamptonshire involvement a long time ago, but it wasn't until my friend moved to the Withyham area very recently (the village where jr's wife lived) that my interest was re-kindled. I hadn't dug much into them before starting this amazing thread.

Steve

[Stebie9173]

Frederick William Pearsall's entry in the Tirah Campaign casualty list published in the London Gazette of 5-4-1898.

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26954/pages/2185

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

When Thomas Senior joined his basic service would have been on the old terms of service of 10 years (before "Short Service enlistment" was introduced in 1870 under the Cardwell reforms). There was a possible extension of another 10 years once that had expired.

On the basis that Thomas Senior would have likely enlisted age 18 or 19 (in 1858/59-ish), his service would have been from say 1858 to 1868 or 1878, if extended. On the basis that T P H was born in Malta in 1871 whilst his father was serving, that would likely mean that Thomas Senior had extended his service up to the late 1870s. This was more than likely necessary in any case for a soldier to reach senior NCO status.

This fits with the known dates and places of birth of his known children.

Thomas - born in Malta in 1871.
Frederick - born in ?? in approx. 1874.
Ethel - born in India in approx. 1876.
Evelyn - born in India in approx. 1877.

Gertrude - born in Stafford in approx. 1887
Ivy - born in Stafford in approx. 1889


The article below appeared in the Times of 9-4-1890:






Steve.

[Stebie9173]

Back to TPH - he appears in a list of officers mentioned in despatches in the Times of 26-2-1917. Unfortunately, I can't locate the London Gazette entry to see if it places it in any context (e.g. France/UK/elsewhere).


I've also just realised that in my post at the top of the page I stated that Thomas Senior would have been in Malta when Thomas Jnr. enlisted. That is wrong - he would have been in Malta when Jnr. was born. He was actually back in Stafford by 1888, as evidenced by the younger daughters places of birth.

Thus Thomas Jnr. would have probably followed the standard path through the Regimental postings - 4 or 5 months basic training at the Depot, a year or two in the UK and then overseas, either with 2nd battalion (Singapore up to 1892 when returned to UK) or in India with 1st Bn. (from 1892 onwards).


Steve.

[stevetewk65]

There is also a Mildred Agatha baptised in Malta whom I assumed must be the eldest daughter? And what about the 3rd Pearsall on the photographs, do we believe Sidney James was another son?

[Stebie9173]

I can't prove it conclusively but I think he is. The Yeoman of the Guard site links him to both the Northamptons and the Sherwood Foresters. His date of death is recorded as 21-6-1961.

The BMD records list him as having died in Surrey, aged 88. This would but him as born in 1873 which fits with the ages of the other children, and also with his enlistment a year or so after Thomas.


There is no record of a birth for a Sidney James Pearsall in the BMD records.


London Marriages and Banns record:

Name: Sidney James Pearsall
Age: 26
Estimated birth year: abt 1873
Spouse Name: Amy Eva Johnson
Spouse Age: 22
Record Type: Marriage
Event Date: 2 Aug 1899
Parish: Saint Ann, Tottenham
County: Middlesex
Borough: Haringey
Father Name: Thomas Pearsall (listed as a Clerk on the page entry)
Spouse Father Name: Peter Johnson


He is additionally listed as a soldier, and as living at 17 Ferndale Road, Stafford.


Of course, coincidences can be wrong!


...but I would be including him in a "draft" family tree....


If he is the Northamptonshire Regiment man then he has also left the 1st Battalion in India and is back in the UK for his marriage....





Steve.

[stevetewk65]

That's great. As you say, there are too many coincidences there for him not to belong to my tree! He's worth a pencilling in I think.

[Stebie9173]

On the basis that we think the three are brothers, it is very interesting to see them together as the Guards of the Queen's and Regimental colours. Whilst, the officers were the custodians of the Colours, the Colours themselves were sacred objects in the army, the embodiment of the Queen/King and the Regiment on parade, and being their guard was a Regimental honour.

Up until 1881 they were also carried on the battlefield - in fact the 2nd Battalion of the Northamptons (the old 58th of Foot) were the last to carry the Colours into battle - at Laing's Nek during the 1st Boer War. Two officers of the 58th were awarded the VC for protecting the colours there and a Colour Sergeant was awarded the DCM for carrying one of the Colours to safety.

I have to say that I hadn't noticed that all the Colour Party in the photo were Pearsalls until looking at them for this topic. It must have been a VERY unusual occasion - especially considering that two of the three were not in fact Colour Sergeants whom would normally be afforded the role.



Steve.