69th Brigade

[lalkav]

I've been searching for info on my great great grandfather who we've established joined the Militia after his discharge from the regular Army (SLI). I've found a newspaper article which states '69th Brigade Depot - Sergeant James Kavanagh has been transferred to the North Tipperary Light Infantry Militia for duty for two months on probation.'

I've googled the 69th Brigade and all it brings up is info on the New York 69th Brigade which I'm assuming is not the one I'm looking for as my man lived in Carlow, Ireland. I would think that the 69th Brigade that I'm looking for were attached to the British Army. Would anyone know anything about them or where I can look?

Thanks.

[km1971]

Infantry Brigade Depots lasted from 1873 to the reforms of 1881. Pairs of single battalion regiments (26th Foot and above) were formed into Brigade Depots. The 1st to 25th Regiments already had two battalions so their Depot consisted of these.

The 69th Brigade Depot was based in Clonmel (Tipperary) and comprised the two battalions of the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment.

What is SLI?

Ken

[lalkav]

Thankyou Ken. He had been in the Somerset Light Infantry and went back home to Ireland on discharge where he was in the Militia but I haven't been able to find anything on him when I've looked through the Carlow Militia records. Does the newspaper article mean that he temporarily transferred from the 69th Brigade Depot to the North Tipperary Light Infantry Militia? I'm trying to establish where he lived so I can look for records. Thanks

[km1971]

Soldiers joined the permanent staff of a Militia after being discharged from the regular army. They could also obtain jobs such as Barrack Sergeant (or Labourer for the less able). So it would not have been like a secondment.

Findmypast have one line on his discharge from the 18th Regiment/69th Brigade on 27 May 1879 -

http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo121%2f0224%2f001_141&parentid=gbm%2fwo121%2f121380766&highlights=%22%22

- so he must have transferred to the 18th Foot from the SLI. It says he was in the 2nd Battalion, 18th Foot. Forum rules (and FindMyPast T&Cs) stops me from quoting it all. But it says 5B meaning he had earned five good conduct 'badges'. each was worth one penny a day. It was likely that he was recommended to the Militia by an officer of the 18th Foot.

These are from indexes to Chelsea for his pension. I cannot find his service record on FindMyPast. It may be under 18th Foot or 69th Brigade Depot.

Ken