55th foot 1813-1820 - Richard Friett

[bolsoverboy]

I am hoping that someone can give me some advice about where to go next with my family research. I discovered that my g-g-g-grandmother was christened in Watlington, Norfolk in 1814 and that her father was listed as Richard Fryatt, soldier. I have found discharge papers for a Richard Friett who was in the 55th foot regiment from 5th July 1813 until 25th July 1820. The place that he enlisted is Swaffham which is not too far from Watlington. The discharge paper gives no information about whether he was married. Can anyone think of a way that  I can find out if the Richard Fryatt listed as my g-g-g-grandmother's father is the same person as the Richard Friett for which I have the discharge papers? I would be grateful for any advice.

Also, does anyone have any information about what the 55th foot regiment were doing between 1813-1820?

[genechaser]

Hi

You should look at this site, the 55 are mentioned for the period you are looking for.

http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/The_Regimental_History_of_the_Duke_of_Lancaster.pdf

[neil1821]

Also, does anyone have any information about what the 55th foot regiment were doing between 1813-1820?

1813-14 Low Countries
1814-20 England
1820-21 Ireland

[bolsoverboy]

Thanks genechaser and neil1821. It seems that he would have been at the storming of Bergen-op-zoom 1814 which is interesting.

I am still interested in working out how to prove that my Richard Fryatt is the same as the one on the discharge papers, so if anyone has got any ideas about that, I'd love to hear them. Is it likely that other records for Richard exist other than his discharge papers?

Thanks again.

[Fryatt123]

Richard Friett or Fryatt as the family is now known was born in abt 1788 and married Sarah Whatling in 1807 in Watlington, I am guessing Ann Fryat is your realtion , they had quite a few children, will not list them all here, you can find some of them living with Richard and Sarah starting with 1841 census living (called Friet on this census) in Stradsett . They are an annoying family to trace as they or the census people never knew how to spell the surname......Their son William is our direct relation. Richard died in 1848 and Sarah died 1861. I too am going to try to find out what the regiment did during his service, but haven't started yet. Hope this proves useful, if I can help in any other way let me know.

[Standfast]

I think your best bet is a visit to the National Archives at kew if you can get there, and look at the Regimental Muster Rolls.
You will need to register as a reader when you get there, you'll need your passport or driving license, because of the photo ID, and 2 utility bills, your birth certificate as well would be a good idea. They'll issue you with a readers card that is valid for 3 years.
If you can't get there you can contact the National Archives, and for a fee they will photo copy the relavant files for you - and there will be a lot ! if you want every page copied where his name is listed.
I did this for my Gt Grandfather who served in the 44th foot 1854 - 1860, and it took me nearly all day ! But so worth it ! you can only order 2 files at a time so as you take 2, you need to order 2 more, or you'll never do it in a day, and you might not then if it's busy, weekdays are best.
The Regimental Muster Rolls for the 1st Battalion 55th foot are in WO12 / 6484 1813 - 1814 thro' to WO12 / 6487 1819 - 1820 for the dates you are interested in.
 Here .... http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C2466321?ck=!&sUp=false&sK=C2466321&v=r

These are the files you need to order through their computer terminals, or by quoting them by phone if you can't get there.

They'll show your man in alphabetical order, at every 1/4 of the year - the books were for use mainly for pay purposes they needed to know where a man was and what he was doing at any given time in order to get his pay to him, and any periods he wasn't entitled.
They'll show his regimental no. , periods of sickness and if in hospital, periods of leave, and punishment detention or pay stopages, and any men that were killed and where, ships embarked on for overseas duty and of course wherever he was at any given time.
They are the next best thing to a service record of that era.

Good luck

Standfast

[Tyrannosaurus]

A Historical Account of the Services of the 34th & 55th Regiments.
http://archive.org/stream/ahistoricalacco01noakgoog#page/n78/mode/2up

Rex

[bolsoverboy]

Thank you Fryatt123 for the information on the Fryatt family. Once I have had time to digest the information I am sure that I will be in touch with lots of questions.

Thank you Standfast and Tyrannosaurus for your advice on where to find out about the 55th. Its very helpful.