Royal Horse Guards

[moverton]

Hi

In 1861my 2nd Great Grand Uncle John A Overton was living at St Pancras Barracks where he was a Corporal. I was wanting some details about his service if possible but not sure where to look. Any suggestions? His brother Arnold was reputed to be a fine horseman and was in the Worcester Yeomanry Cav (Captain) before immigrating to New South Wales Australia to join the mounted police in the outback.
His nephew Francis C Overton was also a trooper in the 1st Life Guards at Combemere Barracks in 1901. Would love detail about that as well.
All are from Astley Worcestershire where the family were millers and its is believed the Earl of Warwick facilitated their recruitment.

Any help or suggestions appreciated

mark

[km1971]

Hi Mark

I checked the Boer War medal roll for the cavalry after seeing the photograph. There are a number of Overtons listed. There are two As – Corporal 3337 in the 19th Hussars (he was in the siege of Ladysmith, so was there at the start), and 4709 Private in the 17th Lancers – he was only there in 1902.

There is also a 1991 Trooper FC Overton in the 1st Life Guards. Findmypast are due to publish records for men discharged 1900 to 1913 this month. You should find one or two in these. They have already published those for men discharged 1883 to 1900, and other periods will follow.

The lower the number the older they are.

Ken

[moverton]

Hi Ken

Thank you for taking the time to help.

I had an idea the photo might be Uncle Arnold in the Worcs Yeomanry Cav but never thought about the Boer War. They look a bit disorganised uniform-wise. The helmet might fit with Lancers. I have not heard of any Overton's of mine in the Boer War.
I will check on Findmypast. Not heard of that before. John A Overton died in service of an "effusion of blood on the brain". Presumably that means a stroke or aneyruism. I forgot to say in my earlier post that John A was a Corporal in the Royal Horse Guards which think later became the Life Guards?  The Overtons were all big men over 6' and good with horses by all accounts. Still are funnily enough.

Cheers

[Pmitchell]

Hi

I think you will find that the Royal Horse Guards are The Blues & Royal. They are The Household Cavalry, with the Life Guards.

Hope this is of some help to you.

[Pmitchell]

Hi again

That should be The Blues and Royals.

I just had a look on Ancestry for military records and there is a Francis Charles Overton, which I think may be the one you refer to. It is under British Army WW1 Records.

9177 Pte Overton. Enlisted with the Special Reserve 8 Sept 1914 Lincolnshire Regt. for the term of 1 year. He was aged 38 years and lived Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. Usual occupation, a Porter. Question: have you ever served in the army - yes 1st Life Guards.

If you have not seen these records before I can copy them for you.

[km1971]

The 'Royals' part comes from the 1st Dragoons.

Ken