Paying to leave the Army in the late 1880's?

[tenezledroit]

Hello there,

I wonder if anyone can enlighten me as to where I might find information on an elusive ancestor who apparently paid to leave the Army in the late 1880's? Is there a specific set of records to be consulted, or would these be in with the general service records?

Kind regards, Steven.

[nanny jan]

HI,

I found my grandfather (b 1880) joining up in September 1898 and "claimed discharge on payment of £10"  in October 1898.  These were just general service papers and he came from a labouring family in London so have no idea how they managed to raise £10.

Nanny Jan

[km1971]

Hi Steven

The normal cost of purchasing a discharge was £20 in the Regular army and £2 in the Militia. The £20 could be reduced if he was close to completing his engagement.

As he would not be getting a pension the man's record was usually not kept, but like aove you may be luckyt. In this case the only source of information would be the muster books. These stop c1890 or sooner and of course you will need the regiment.

Ken

[tenezledroit]

Hello Ken & Jan,

Thanks very much for your replies.

My ancestor was apparently in the Royal Horse Guards. I know he spent some time still working for the military in the early 1900's, and possibly served in World War One (although by this time he would have been in his fifties). He was in Aldershot with his family at the time of the 1901 Census, working as a Ward Nurse at the Cambridge Military Hospital, and worked in the Army Mess just before that. Do either of you know if muster rolls are available at any online source?

Kind regards,

Steven

[km1971]

Musters are not online, apart from the one for Qtr 2 1861 which is on Findmypast as the Worldwide Index.

Ken