Help wanted with soldier in India Mutiny

[tigger]

Hi,

We have a family story that one ancestor served in the army in India and there was a suggestion he was there
during the Indian Mutiny. His name was Martin Chester
and he was born in Newport Pagnall. If he was in the
army he had left by 1860 when he married in London
and his occupation was labourer.

I recently stumbled across a George Chester of Newport,
Bucks (presumeably Newport Pagnall) listed on an index
of army deserters mentioned in the Police Gazette 22nd
July 1840 from the 84th Regiment of Foot. This could be
my Martin Chester's brother (or possibly cousin).

Armed with this clue I looked in the index to the Indian
Mutiny medal roles and found a Martin Chester, private
in the 84th regiment of foot.

Where do I go from there?

Is the only way to find out more to go to the PRO in London or are there any other sources that could
give me a few more clues first?
And if I do go to London, where should I start ?

Is it possible that this could be 'my' Martin and that he would be married in 1860 aged 27 with no more apparent mention of a spell in the army.

Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks,
Tigger

[suey]

Hi Tigger, have a look on www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Any surviving record for your man will be in the National Archives at Kew.

Try to get a copy of Tracing your Ancestors in the PRO by Amanda Bevan - your Library can get it for you.  It has lots of information about all the records that are held at Kew, advice on how to search and information about the place itself..
Suey

[tigger]

Thanks Suey,

I'll try to get a copy of the book,

T

[SHOTLEY50]

Hi Tigger,
There is an excellent site which gives the names of all recipients of the Indian Mutiny medal.
http://users.rootsweb.com/~indwgw/medalpage.htm Unfortunately the page containing CHE... surnames wasn't available when I tried it this evening. You may have better luck. However the compiler of the list is KevinAsplin@aol.com.
I contacted him in 2002. He gave me details of my Grandfather's medal and service number.
Good luck.

[Blanc]

Hi Tigger

forgive the direct approach but I am very new to Rootsweb Chat!
You will find the INDIA-LIST very helpful. Its free to join and the members are very expert and helpful.

Regards  Blanc

[tigger]

Thanks,
I'll give it a go!
T

[manmack]

hiya tigger,the 84th did serve in the mutiny,a lot of them were massacred at cawnpore by mutiniers,manmack

[Blanc]

Hi Tigger

you could also try FIBIS -
Families in British India Society.
Regards blanc

[tigger]

Thanks for your suggestions, Blanc and Manmack -
I'll follow them up
T