Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-80

[Garen]

Could you please help me with Alfred Shakespeare born 1864 brierley hill,i have tryed & tryed,but come up with nothing.
This is my military album.Alfred is the third pic.if you can tell me any thing about the others i would be grateful
http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g437/niikib/military/

Hello niikib

Did Alfred serve in the Second Anglo-Afghan War? Unless he served as a boy (which is possible, of course) he'd be a little young (the war was 1878-80). Have you tried Find My Past in case they have his service record?

Most of the photos in your album look World War I era and after.

Best wishes - Garen

[peelaw66]

Hi

My gt grandfather George William smith (dob 1842 Demerara Guyana) enlisted in the 1st West India regiment approx 1864 and he was in charge of the Field Chest during the Ashanti War, he did serve in India as well, he was a paymaster, he died 1907 at Brighton UK and his obituary was in the Times   I believe he may of had a brother Joseph Alexander Smith (dob 1839 Guyana)  who may also have served in the 1st West India Regiment, would you have any info on Joseph by any chance.   I am really trying to find out the father of both George W and Joseph A Smith.


Thank you for any ideas you may have.

Regards

[Garen]

Hello peelaw66

While George served in the Afghan war with the 67th Foot, I don't believe Joseph saw service in that campaign, so is a bit outside both this topic and my expertise, I'm afraid. With that in mind, I did look up Joseph for a brief biography:

Ensign (without purchase) 1st West India Regiment Dec 1855 (seems he stayed with this rgt. throughout); Lieutenant Aug 1857; Captain Aug 1869; Major Sep 1876; Lt.-Col. Jan 1879; Appointed to command regiment Mar 1882; Colonel Jan 1883; Hon. Major-General Jan 1884, retired.

I note that George William Smith died at Addiscombe, though his funeral was at Brighton.

Best wishes -
Garen

[peelaw66]

Hi Garen

Thank you so much for your interest and help.

Where did you find out all the military details of Joseph A Smith and also George W?

Once again thanks.

Kind regards
Peelaw

[Garen]

No problem, sorry it's not much.

Most of the info comes from the London Gazette and some from The Times (which mostly consists of information reprinted from the London Gazette anyway, as far as promotions are concerned); also Hart's Army Lists.

I have George on my Afghan War database here:

http://www.angloafghanwar.info/database/permalink.php?pid=1022

All best - Garen

[Garen]

peelaw66 - just as an afterthought, and on the basis that sons often (but by no means always) enter the same regiment as their father (if, in fact, their father was in the military at all - he may not have been) - I checked the 1840 Army List for officers in the West India Regiment called Smith and found only one: William Nepean Smith.

He was a sergeant in the 96th Foot and became an ensign (without purchase) in the 22nd Cheshire regiment in Jan 1837. He transferred to the 1st West India Regiment in Aug 1839.

It does seem as though the 22nd Foot were in the West Indies (Jamaica) from 1826 to 1837, so a connection between the regiments, perhaps. A lot of 'perhaps'!

It's a bit of an arbitrary check as there may be Smiths in other years, or a Smith that joined the West India Rgt. much later when the boys were older. If you wanted to check for more Smiths in the West India Rgt. then see Google Books for Army Lists (many up to 1870 are available as 'full view').

Best - Garen

Edit/update: A William Frederick Nepean Smith married Emily Blum 1840 in London (so doesn't look good - oh well...). A William Nepean Smith died Northamptonshire 1857.

Have you looked at other Smiths born in Demerara on the census returns (bearing in mind Demerara is spelled in a variety of ways)? There's a number around - might lead to something.

[peelaw66]

Hi Garen

Thank you for all the info on Smiths.   I was assuming that George Williams father was also in the military as George was born in Demerara (British subject)  and I believe that other siblings were born at other military places.   There is a site run by Tikwis Begbie that has lots of people born in Demerara and have found info from there.

I am now sifting through the info and the sites you mention and I have also viewed your site - very interesting.

I am attaching a photo of George William Smith in full military dress (taken in 1907 - after he had retired but I imagine he wanted a portrait and still had all his uniform.)

Thank you once again for your help and injterest.

Regards
Peelaw

[peelaw66]

Hi Garen

Just a quick question do you know how to find out about records at the National Archives reference WO 76 and 42 - are these only available if you visit the Archives or are they online ?   If I could find the Attestation papers for George William Smith it would possibly give his parents names.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards
Peelaw

[Garen]

Hello Peelaw

What a great photograph - would you mind if I used a small version (just a portrait portion) for his database entry on the Afghan War database?

Good news on the WO 42 and WO 76 records - they are available for free as part of the National Archives Digital Microfilm project. They may require a bit of hunting through, though. Type 'WO 42' (or 76) into the search box here.

All best - Garen