William Meek in India

[Morisco]

Hi

I wonder if you have any advice about next steps.  I am looking for information about William Meek born about 1864 at Chesterhill, Cranston, Midlothian. 

In the 1881 census he was a miner like his father and brothers but the next document is his marriage in 1890 which lists his occupation as a soldier.

He is not recorded in the 1891 census but appears again in 1901 living in Leith, Edinburgh as a Sergeant Instructor with four children William A Meek born (1893) in India, Robert R Meek (1894) in India, Ronald G Meek in Hamilton Lanarkshire (1899), and Catherine E Meek (1900) Lanark, Lanarkshire.

Can anyone help with any information or places to look?  Does the 1893 in India 1899 in Hamilton mean anything about Battalion postings that might tell me which regiment he served in or is it more likely to be related to his personal service?

Paul

[mmm45]

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/chelsea-pensioners-service-records-collection-search-start.action

His Service Record could be on Find My past

[bullet]

Just found the birth/baptism of William Alexander Meek in Faizabad, Bengal, India.

born 21 Dec 1892         Baptised 21 Jan 1893

Father - William            Mother - Euphemia Symington

All on Family Search

This will give you a starting point of where to look to where he was stationed.

[Skoosh]

Paul,  Cranston Meek's, Three boys accidently drowned in the canal at Ratho, Sep' 28 1891, when their boat capsized. Alexander Lawrie age 15 & Robert Lawrie age 9 & their cousin Robert Meek age 12 son of Alexander Meek, miner, of Edgehead, Cranston. From the Aberdeen Journal.   Skoosh.

[Morisco]

Thanks for your help.

Find my past says,

   
First name(s):    William
Last name:    MEEK
Calculated year of birth:    1862    
Parish of birth:    Banston
Town of birth:    Dalkeith
County of birth:    Midlothian
Age at attestation:    19 years
Attestation date:    20 July 1881
Attestation corps:    Highland Light Infantry    Report transcription error
Attestation soldier number:    7327

So I know the regiment.  There are apparently 9 images attached to this record though I will need to think about that as my subscriptions are with Ancestry and Genes Reunited I am just PAYG on Find My past.

The Family search stuff is great though they do not seem to have his brother. 

I do not have a Robert Meek of that age or Lawrie's but I do have two remaining Alexanders pretty much unexplored so i will need to get a look at them.

Paul

[mmm45]

Dont forget Naval records and Royal Marine ones too.Theres a number of Meeks listed with Scots connection.

Ady

[km1971]

Hi Paul

It was the 2nd Battalion of the HLI that was in India in the 1890s. In 1901 he could have been back in the Depot in Hamilton training recruits to the Regular army. Or seconded to the 3rd and 4th (Militia) Battalions, which were also headquartered in Hamilton. Sergeant Instructor was one of the ranks in the permanent staff of a Militia battalion. If he was living in a private house in 1901 I would tend towards the latter.

Ken

[MrMeek]

The Meeks in India ! Fantastic.

[LisaRobinson87]

The Soldier 7327 received the Egyptian medal and star. According to record

Egypt 8 Aug 82 - 23 Sep 82
Home 24th Sep - 30 Sep 84
West Indies 1st Oct 84 - 23 Dec 96
Home 24 Dec 96 - 18 July 03
Total years served 22

Discharged 18th July 1903

There is a address on the discharge record saying 144 Montgomery Street if that helps