Military service record: William Raper, (? - 1823)

[Timbottawa]

The Prerogative & Exchequer Courts Of York Probate Index, 1688-1858 has a record for May 1823:

"Raper William, heretofore of Thirsk, but late of Calcutta in the East Indies, a Soldier and a Bachelor"

It seems clear that William was a soldier who died in or near Calcutta in early 1823.  However, I have been unable to find any service records on Ancestry or FindMyPast ... their coverage seems to start later.  Can any military expert please guide me to where I can uncover his military service record?

Thanks!

[GrahamSimons]

You have a complicated question. If he was serving in the East India Company's army, the records, if any, will be in the British Library. If in the British Army, they'll be at Kew....
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-up-to-1913/

[Timbottawa]

Thanks Graham ... I knew I was venturing into a "minefield", particularly because of the E. India Co. vs regular army question, to which I do not know the answer.

From the guide you linked me to, under "soldiers who died in service", I note "Registers of authorities to deal with the effects (possessions) of dead soldiers 1810-1822 in WO 25 ...".  Probate for my fellow was 1823, so unless probate was delayed (possible for a soldier who died in India, I suppose), I'm just outside the period covered.

But one thing that the guide did not answer - as far as I could see - presumably there must have been a death certificate of some kind in order to go to probate.  By whom/how would that death certificate have been issued?  Would it have been an army (/E. India Co.) - issued document, or would there have been some sort of civil certificate?  I can't find any!

[ShaunJ]

Perhaps the will would shed some light on his occupation. The Borthwick Institute should hold a copy.

There was a William Raper with 1st Battalion 24th Foot in India in 1815.

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/60546/images/42876_625537_0035-00032

[Timbottawa]

Thanks Shaun.  If that William Raper is my fellow, he would have been 14 years old at the end of 1814.  Possible in those days, I suppose?

Yes, the will is probably the next step.