Looking for help…..why was Zachariah Ward in Stornaway?

[Blairvadach]

I am researching

Zachariah Ward 1825–1900 Birth 18 APR 1825 • Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire,
Death March 1900 • Yorkshire East Riding

In the 1861 census he and family are living at 7 Scotland St, Stornaway.
Two older children were born in Kent and the youngest was born in Stornaway in 1859.
He’s a Sargent in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He was discharged in 1867. Living in Yorkshire by the 1871 census.
Why would the army be in Stornaway?
Any help would be appreciated.

[Kay99]

I wonder if the location relates to him being in the Coast Brigade Royal Artillery in 1861??

[fiddlerslass]

Fear of a French invasion arose in the spring of 1858 and intensified in 1859. This was partly due to a deterioration in Anglo-French relations, including an assassination attempt on Napoleon III by a group of revolutionaries that included British citizens, and the French emperor's subsequent invasion of Italy.

As well as a volunteer Movement as a
 response to the perceived threat, including artillery and rifle corps, composed of civilians who would supplement the regular army in case of an invasion.
1st (Stornoway) Ross-shire Artillery Volunteers:
The 1st (Stornoway) Ross-shire Artillery Volunteers were established on February 16, 1860, as a direct result of this invasion scare.

Coastal Defenses were also reviewed and increased with the construction of new fortifications and the deployment of artillery.

[Blairvadach]

Thanks very much for this information.
The census shows that he was
Serjeant C B R Avillisag!
I am also lead to believe that he served in the Crimean war.
In later census records ( English) he’s a labourer/ Chelsea pensioner.
His wife Sarah was born in Haddington….maybe he was stationed there too!!
Thanks again

[Kay99]

The 1861 transcription is bad so I checked the image on Scotlands People which is attached hopefully!

The    British Army Worldwide Index 1861 on FindMyPast has a transcription for him which describes him as a Sergeant in the Coast Brigade R.A. and at the time it lists the Regiment was stationed at    Woolwich, Manchester, Folkestone,  Portsmouth, Devonport, Leith Fort, Tower of London, Pigeon House Fort (Dublin) and Spike Island

In 1851 the Index lists him as Gunner and Driver in the Royal Artillery: 1st Battalion - 2nd Company at the time in Bermuda

[KGarrad]

Thanks very much for this information.
The census shows that he was
Serjeant C B R Avillisag!
I am also lead to believe that he served in the Crimean war.
In later census records ( English) he’s a labourer/ Chelsea pensioner.
His wife Sarah was born in Haddington….maybe he was stationed there too!!
Thanks again

I think it says C B R Artillery? British Royal Artillery?

[Jebber]

I agree with KG it says CBR Artillery.