John Curtis, Quarter-Master 60th Rifles, before 1888

[RenateLuise]

Hello all,

I am not sure if this is the right place to look for info but I'll try.

I am researching Arthur Henry BARKER, born 1862 in Biggleswade. While I have found sufficient data for him, I seem to have hit a brick wall with his wife.

I have a GRO marriage certificate in hand:

Westminster district, 1888 No. 126
Arthur Henry BARKER  married Elizabeth Kathleen PHILLIPS, formerly CURTIS, she was the divorced wife of John Phillips. At the time of her 2nd marriage she was 26 years old and lived at 25 Duke Street, St. James', Westminster.
The bride's father was John CURTIS, already deceased in 1888, and his rank or profession is given as "Quartermaster 60th Rifles".

I cannot seem to find any records on FreeBMD for the first marriage of Elizabeth Kathleen Curtis with John Phillips nor her own birth registration nor anything about her father.

I'd be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction where or how I could find anything about the quartermaster and his family.

Thanks!

Renate

 

 

[ShaunJ]

According to 1889 press reports of the breach of promise case against Arthur Henry Barker, his sister had written to his erstwhile fiancee Ellen Constable to say that "he had recently married the daughter of a quartermaster general from the Cape, and he hoped she would not feel it too much".

[ShaunJ]

The earlier marriage took place in the Roman Catholic chapel. King Williams Town, South Africa on 27 November 1873 per the 1886-1888 divorce papers which are viewable on Ancestry.

[ShaunJ]

The Phillips family are in the 1881 census at North Camp, Farnborough:

John Phillips 30 Band Master East Indies
Elizabeth Phillips 22 wife Cape of Good Hope
Lilian 6  daur Cape of Good Hope
Elizabeth M 4 daur  Cape of Good Hope
John F  2 son, at sea
Henry 7 months son,  Middlesex

[ShaunJ]

John Phillips' army papers on FindMyPast  http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo97%2f5687%2f031%2f002&parentid=gbm%2fwo97%2f5687%2f1004970

[km1971]

Most Quarter Masters were promoted from the ranks, and given honorary commissions. So they are listed in army lists. I will have a look tonight. The 60th Regiment/Rifles/ Kings Royal Rifles had four battalions when Elizabeth was born.  In 1858 half of the 3rd Battalion were in Cape Town. They moved to India later in the year. So he was probably serving in this battalion at least in 1858. But men could be transferred between battalions.

Ken

[RenateLuise]

Hello ShaunJ and Ken,

Thank you so much for your quick replies. Your are great!
I must have been extremely blind when I searched ancestry for my 'suspects' 

I know about the breach of promise court case and subsequent bankruptcy of Arthur Barker.
He went to the Continent afterwards and worked as a jockey, but returned several times to ride in England. He also lived in Newmarket for a time where their son Arthur Cliff L. was born. He died 1909 in Hungary (then part of the k.k. monarchy)

ShaunJ, would you mind sending me the link where you found the divorce papers on ancestry?

Thank you.
Renate

 

[ShaunJ]

Here's the link to the divorce papers: http://goo.gl/DQrGWu

[RenateLuise]

Wow! Thank you so very much.

Renate