British Indian Army

[WkdWitch]

Hi All 

A bit of a long shot I am afraid, as I have no knowledge other than a few brief things my Mother told me about my Father.

One of them being that he, at some point, served in the British Indian Army as a Surgeon.

His name was George Charles Hannigan born 1909 and died 1973. He was Irish from Northern Ireland and briefly trained to be a Jesuit priest (not yet confirmed) before deciding on becoming a doctor.

I have found some entries in the Medical Register the first in 1940 in Lourdsville, Anderstown, Belfast. Then in the fifties in London (where he met my Mother who was a nurse) He was already married with grown up children, possible late teens to early twenties. He was also on the Electoral Roll for many years until his death. He spent most of those living in the Kings Road where he had a Surgery.

This is the total sum of my knowledge of my Dad. I also have one photo and a whisp of a memory of a brief meeting when I was 8 years old.

My limited search experience is exhausted and I would be grateful of any help anyone can offer. As you can imagine this is an emotional one being so close to the present and I gave careful thought as to whether to post for assistance. But Hey Ho! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

I decided the British Indian Army might be a good place to start as there must surely be records out there. And judging by the generosity of help and kind treatment I have already received with other queries, I believe I am in the right place to ask. 

P.S. Just thought I had better clarify, as I don't want to break any rules. I am not interested in finding his other children, who may or may not still be alive. I would just like to have confirmation of my fathers history that I have been led to believe. I would be happy with that. If I could get back a little way further (Grandparents etc) I would be delighted.

Thanks.

[JJen]

Hi,

Just a bit of info, which you may already have 

George Hannigan in the London Gazette -

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35487/pages/1171


JJ

[WkdWitch]

Oh My! I am a little lost for words. No, I had no confirmation what so ever that it was actually true.

You have no idea, how much that means to me.

Thank you!

[casalguidi]

Have seen JJ's reply so just posting because there is another mention

There is a George HANNIGAN (no mention of middle name Charles though) L.M.S.S.A. 21 Feb 1942 with seniority from 9 May 1941 (Indian Medical Service emergency commissions ......... to be Lts.) notice in the London Gazette.

There's a similar notice for a G. HANNIGAN "probationary appointments of the undermentioned capts." from 21 Feb 1942. It could be that he (and the others mentioned) were lieuts > probationary capts.

Also a probate notice (same source) 1973 but, again, no mention of second name Charles.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/

Casalguidi

[WkdWitch]

Wow, this is just amazing!

I have searched so many times and come up with nothing. Just like buses, hey! LOL

Thank you Casalguidi! I clicked your link and have tried to use your information to find the news items you mention BUT I have no idea what I am doing and being a bit excited am tapping keys like mad.

Could you give me a quick navigation course of where to find the details.

Thank you!

[casalguidi]

Use the advanced search and then use the "with the exact phrase box" for George HANNIGAN, HANNIGAN George, G. Hannigan etc.

Casalguidi

[JJen]

Hi,

Struggling to find George Charles Hannigan's birth  Equally no George Hannigan b. 1909 Belfast.

However there is a George Hannigan aged 4 b. Belfast on the 1911 census -

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001399582/

If you wish to go further back it may be a case of purchasing his marriage certificate which hopefully records his father but as this is a rather delicate subject you may not wish to do so.

Regards

JJ

PS Have found your tree, hopefully over the weekend I'll take a closer look 

[WkdWitch]

Good Morning JJ 

Oh no, don't worry, it's not that delicate. I want to find out as much as I can but it is tough with so little information.

The census form is very interesting, although I can't be sure he was born in Belfast. And I would be happy to get the marraige cert but without knowing his wife's name, where or when, I thought it would be an impossible task and seeing as I still can't find the probate entry in the Gazette that Casaguildi kindly directed me too, I am not feeling very confident in my detecting skills right now.   

However, I am still smiling at the wonderful news you found for me last night.  To have that confirmed was a major moment for me and it now also means there has to be Army records out there. But where to go to find them? I haven't seen any mention of British Indian Army information anywhere online, mind you, that certainly doesn't mean they're not there. Hehe. They could be holding another clue.

And where to go to confirm the Jesuit connection? That's another avenue to look down.

Hmmmmmm

[casalguidi]

If you search for ............. hannigan george ............. in the "with the exact phrase" box on the advanced search page it is the entry for 29 November 1973 (died 6 May 1973)

Please see here if you wish to order a copy of any will/grant of administration for £6 http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/family-history

There is a brief notice in The Times of 11 May 1973 "HANNIGAN DR George, service at Servite Church, Fulham Road, SW10 on Monday 14 May at 11am followed by interment at Gunnersbury Cemetery, Gunnersbury Ave, Acton.  Flowers and visits from Sunday 5pm at Servite Church.

There is also a later notice which looks to be family. I will PM the details of that one but it leads to the 1946 marriage for George in the Wandsworth district http://www.freebmd.org.uk

May we ask where you get the middle name of "Charles" from as it's not evident on anything else we can find

Casalguidi