British military history data and records

[biggles5000]

Hi Biggles  Just very confused with this gggrandfather of mine, I might have to start all over again hes lost me.
Firstly what does H.R.H.A. stand for
cant find the years 1836 to 1839 in INDIA. am i looking in the wrong places.
Been through and sent email to sites I have seen on this section and others
IS it me not under standing the compure.

Loburt

Hi Loburt

I think the H.R.H.A. tands for Honorary Member, Royal Hibernian Academy have you tried contacting the National army Mueseum might be able to find thoes missing years

[Redroger]

Thanks for information Biggles, I don't think this is directly helpful; I actually meant in and around the City of York in 1776, and was hoping for a West Country or South of England Regiment. My 2XGGF was born in York in 1776 and I think baptised elsewhere, likely Somerset. He joined the Somerset Militia in 1794, and the surname is unknown in the north of England before he settled in Alford on discharge from the militia unit in 1796, then re-enlisted as previously stated.

[biggles5000]

Hi

Sorry Redroger i couldn't help you with your research you should try the National Army Nuseuem they might be able to help you further

[Redroger]

Thanks for that Biggles, but the attestation forms if they still exist should be at Kew? Or are they possibly also at the NAM?

[Doddie]

Hi Biggles5000, glad that you've joined us at Rootschat. I would be grateful for some information about the location of my late grandfather's regiment in 1918. He served with 6 Batt. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. In mid April 1918 he sent a postcard to his parents from Halesworth in Suffolk saying he was just about to leave for France. I would be interested to find out more accurately than I know at present were in France his regiment served. Also do records show where regiments were based before shipping out for foreign postings? I can find no record  of my grandfather's regiment being based in Suffolk even though (as well as the postcard) I have photograph of him in uniform taken  in a studio in Southwold, Suffolk. Not sure if it is relevant but before joining the Cam. Highlanders he was with the Lovat Scouts. I would be very grateful for any help.

Regards

Doddie

[Redroger]

Hi Biggles, Visited the NAM yesterday; their information from very helpful staff indirectly confirmed that the Halifax troops had been to America; i.e.there were no regular regiments at York during 1776, in fact all British regiments were at that time fighting against the rebels in the American colonies. York, in common with other places were garrisoned by militia troops.

[tailsticks]

Hi Biggles5000,

I've reached a stumbling block trying to research my gt gt grandmother.

Maria (sometimes Mary) Theresa Stangroom.  Knowing she was born in Mauritius I found an overseas Army birth record for her in 1850 (and her brother Henry 1850).  Both listed as 5th Regiment?  (5th Regiment of what?)

Any insight you might have would be helpful.  Any Stangrooms listed in military/5th regiment in Mauritius?

I have Maria back in England by 1870 marriage to John Gay in Plymouth.

Thank in advance!  Sue

[Dave6335]

Hello Biggles,
I don't know if the records you hold could help me but I've been struggling to find missing Royal Artillery details about my grt grandfather and grandfather.  The details I do have are as below:-

Although I have many details about where my grandfather was at times after 1919 I know nothing of his WW1 service and, as I have no death certificate and don't know when he died, I don't think I can apply for his details from the MOD. The same applies to my great grandfather.

With regard to my great grandfather, Thomas Parkinson, the only confirmed details I have are that he was a gunner (no 5949) in the Royal Horse Artillery "A" Brigade, Southern Company in Exeter in 1887 (the year my grandfather was born).

For my grandfather, Archibald Elliot Parkinson, I have a large number of photographs and have managed to build up something of a picture of his movements but there are gaps and dates missing. The info I have is:-
Born in 1887 he was a Corporal in the Royal Garrison Artillery in Sheerness in 1914. I do not know what company he was in though. Prior to 1914 he was in Simonstown, South Africa in 1909 and in 1918 he was in Swanley, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey.
From 1919 to 1924 he was in Blakang Mati, Singapore with his wife and presumeably his son (my father). I have a number of photo's that confirm the year date.
From 1925 to 1928 he was in Malta, again with his wife but no son, he was in boarding school.
1928 to 1933 saw them in Diyatalawa, Ceylon (again several more photos)
I have further photo's of them in Pakistan (Karachi) and India (Bombay) but, frustratingly, they did not write any dates on the backs of the photo's.
In 1936 he was a Captain and in Tynemouth. I have a newspaper photograph cutting of him attending the castle there along with the then Admiral Of The Fleet, Sir E.R.G.R. Evans and a Major R.A.O. Clarke.
By 1941 he was a Major and also I believe a Freemason.
I have no service records or numbers whatsoever and can find little on the internet about the military activities he would have been in the various countries for.

If you don't have any specific records can you suggest where I should look next?  Thank you for your time and patience in having read a rather lengthy query. 

Best regards
David

[plonker]

hi biggles

dont know if you can help me but here goes

looking fo any scrap of info on the following

 James Powell born in Ireland discharged between 1760 & 1854 in the WO 97 series of discharge papers: WO 97/319/142 JAMES POWELL Born FERMOY, Cork Served in 10th Foot Regiment Discharged aged 46 1805-1821

could you please check your records for any info this guy is my ggggrand daddy and know nothing about him or his life.

thank you very much