Identifying a battalion / regiment in the 1921 census?

[AdrianB38]

I have located a relative in the 1921 census (Charles Purcell [indexed as Parcell], b abt 1899 in Nantwich, Cheshire). He is in the British Army in India - piece RG 15/28121, if I interpret the image filename correctly. Unfortunately, his detail just tells me that he's a "Private" in the "Infantry" - no data about what unit he's in. (No soldier's number, either).

The address sheet for him says that he's at "Chanbattia Hill Depot" (though it might be "Chaubattia", apologies if necessary!), which has an address of Ranikhet, United Provinces, India. Nowhere on that sheet does it say what unit(s) are stationed there and the catalogue description for RG 15/28121 doesn't mention unit(s) either.

Anyone got any ideas of how to find what regiment / battalion / whatever he was in? I've only pulled down the one detail image, which is labelled as page 35 but I'm not about to start buying the 34 previous images just in case one says something about the unit.

Thanks for any ideas...

[Neale1961]

1st battalion rifle brigade were in India in 1921.
https://rgjmuseum.co.uk/photo-archive-item/india-1921/

[AdrianB38]

Thanks - I'm sure that there were lots of battalions in India in 1921!    Ideally, if there isn't some data in the census that I'm missing, I was hoping for a list somewhere that says what was at Chanbattia / Chaubattia, maybe something akin to the reports on Stations of the British Army that appeared in newspapers before WW1.

[tonepad]

Historical background for Rhaniket and Chaubattia:

https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Ranikhet


Tony

[tonepad]

"At the end of November 1919 the 1st Worcestershire sailed for India, where the Battalion was destined to be quartered at Nasirabad and Meerut. The 3rd Battalion returned from Dublin to Dover, lay there until the spring of 1920 and then followed the older Battalion down the Straits and the Red Sea to India. The Battalion was cantoned at Chaubattia, with detachments at Dum Dum and Barrackpore, till the spring of 1921, when the companies were concentrated at Fyzabad."

http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/bat_1_1919_1921.php


Tony

[tonepad]

The 1921 Census was taken on the 19th June, so can not be certain that the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were in Chaubattia then.


Tony

[ALAMO2008]

Charles Henry Purcell born 10 June 1899 one of 11 Children to William John Purcell and Mary Williamson who married June Quarter 1888 Prestwich
It was normal to follow Enlistment as previous elder Siblings but after 1916 he probably never allowed a choice.
Eldest Pte 235416 Walter Purcell died 3 August 1918 in the 1st Btn  Worcester Regt
Charles was 18 in 1917 and may have enlisted then and after Training gone overseas 1918 or 1919
But the Medal Index Card shows only one C H Purcell in Worcestershire Regt but he Died of Wounds
So not him.
If he was sent to India 1919 as alot did.
Your Best and Only Chance using only his Date of Birth and Full Name is to apply to Glasgow for his Full Army Records


https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

[ShaunJ]

Charles Henry Purcell born 6 October 1899

Born 10 June 1899 per the 1939 Register. Baptised 2 July 1899 at Nantwich

[ALAMO2008]

Yes ShaunJ did originally miss quote Birth Date but did Modify and Correct it quickly