A certain number of wives (plus any children) were allowed to follow the husband to overseas postings. The places available depended upon the soldier's rank. From 100% of staff and colour sergeants to about 4% of Privates. Details of the 'Marriage Establishment' were added to muster books from the end of the 1860s. It gives wife's name, the ages of any children and the date they were put on the Marriage Establishment.
Children were boys up to 14 and girls up to 16. Hence the large number of marriages of young women and older soldiers.
Muster books are in Kew, and not online.
Ken
