Royal Artillery request

[CAMION_FRERES]

Hi

Can anyone tell me how I could trace my Gt Grandfather George Armstrong  born 1829 and in 1867 was married in Belfast to Mary Savage. In the 1911 census it is recorded that he was on  Army Pension Royal Artillery. Don't know what year he joined or left.

Thanks
George CF

[jds1949]

The Army pension records for soldiers discharged between 1855 and 1913 are in WO 97 and most are not yet online, although the National Archives are slowly digitalising them. The relevant page for the NA website is

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmysoldierupto1913.htm?WT.lp=rg-3110

I had a quick look, but could not find any record for George Armstrong available online, although there were some men with the same surname. I suspect that you will either have to visit the NA at Kew, or get  someone to do so on your behalf, or wait until the relevant record is put online.

jds1949

[CAMION_FRERES]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I will write to Kew and may'be have some success.

Regards
George CF

[annswabey]

Only those who were discharged to pension up to 1854 are name indexed online.  After that the discharge papers are filed in date bands so your man could be in the date band 1855-1872 or possibly in the next one if he left 1873 onwards.  Was he still in the Army when he married? 

So you would have to wait until they are all online or go to Kew or get someone to go for you.

[km1971]

I will write to Kew and may'be have some success.

Hi George

I think you will be wasting your time. The NA is not staffed to answer lots of queries. Especially in this case when they have an ongoing project to put pre-1914 records online. You need to . link - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/stories/212.htm - but I see that they are now 10 months behind the first published completion date. It is Findmypast who will be publishing the records. At least when they are available you will be able to do a name search irrespective of discharge date.

In general terms most men enlisted after the age of 18. In his day the term was for life, or until a disability prevented further service. He would also have been reviewed after 21 years.

Ken

[CAMION_FRERES]

Hi to you both.

Many thanks for your help.I am posting off today to Kew and hopefully they may be able to help me.

Kind Regards
George A.