Militia Service

[1963chris]

Hi,

I recently found a marriage record for my ancestors, William Bateman & Ann Waddington, who married in Calverley in 1855, which had William as a private in the militia (the writing on the record is indistinct, but it looks like West Yorkshire Rifles Militia Regiment) at the time of the marriage (Ancestry record).  This military connection was news to me, and I wondered if anyone could tell me anything about this militia regiment?  William was a waggoner (carter/drayman), and I had not been aware that he had done any military service.  Could he have carried on his normal occupation at the same time as serving in the militia?

Also there are some criminal records on Ancestry, including for one William Bateman in 1848, which seem to suggest that drilling with militia was a crime?? 

Any information on this subject would be most gratefully appreciated!

Christine

[KGarrad]

The Militia were part-time forces, similar to the Territorial Army of today.

Men who joined had to do 2 weeks camp per year, and regular training.
Otherwise they lived a normal, civilian, life.

The 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was formed in 1757 as the 1st West Yorkshire Militia.
In 1853 it was renamed the 1st West York Rifles (Militia).
It remained that way until the Childer's reforms of 1881, when it became the 3rd (Militia) Bn. The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (South Yorkshire Regiment).

[1963chris]

Thank you very much for the information!

Do you know if the men were paid anything for this service?

C

[MaxD]

You can read the history of the regiment to 1875 here https://archive.org/details/historicalrecord00raikrich
(Click the pages to turn)  Covers not just the regiment but a lot about their terms and conditions in different periods.

maxD