32 Regiment Chatham in 1861

[concord144]

Hello,
I have been looking at the 1861 census for a relative,Richard Brown, and he was an inmate at 32 Regiment Chatham Barracks 1st Depot Battalion. I can find no history of the Regiment in 1861 nor any info on what went on at this Depot. Does anyone know anything about this Army base at this time, which regiments were there, and what they did there? The word "inmate" according to the dictionary means "resident". Was he in prison, in hospital, or did the word mean something different in 1861?
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Graham

[jennifer c]

He was a 27 year old Private at Royal Marines Barracks Chatham born Brentford.

Jennifer

[cath151]

Or could he have been Richard Brown aged 24 born Ireland RG09/483  65/29
Long shot but did he marry a Sarah Button?

Cathy

[concord144]

thank you Cathy and Jennifer. The Richard Brown I am looking for was born in Dunmanway Cork and married Ellen Field.Jennifer, are you saying that 32 Regiment in 1861 was the Royal Marines? I thought they were the Royal Artillery.
Graham

[ShaunJ]

Graham

Welcome to Rootschat.

There are several soldiers named Richard Brown in barracks in Chatham in the 1861 census, hence our confusion. Can you tell us the reference of the census page that yours is on?

32nd Regiment was an infantry regiment with just one battalion and it had its depot in Preston at that time. The 1st Battalion of 23rd regiment had its depot in Chatham, as did 1st Batt of 24th.

[concord144]

Hello Shaun,
RG9 ; piece 483; folio 65; page 29; GSU roll 542647.
Did 32 Regiment also have an Army prison there and were they called inmates?
Thanks
Graham

[cath151]

Soldiers were often described as inmates, as in inmates of an institution in this case the Army.
I did find a soldiers records that appeared to fit but unfortunately he married Sarah Button and was born in Donaghadee Co Down so not your man.
Cathy

[concord144]

Thanks Cathy

[ShaunJ]

Graham

Thanks. I found the census page and I've also now found a number of online trees for this family from which I gather that Richard Brown married Ellen Field in 1858 in Bromley RD and had many children all born in  St Mary Cray including William circa 1859 and Charles circa 1860.

I'm not sure that this soldier (listed as unmarried) is your Richard. Have you found the rest of the family in 1861? 

You mention the Royal Artillery - is that from the marriage certificate or a birth certificate?

Shaun