55th Regiment of Foot

[Winterbloom21]

I wonder if anyone can help with a bit more info on this one, please.

I have a Robert Wilson, born in Bleasdale, Lancs in 1816/7, occupation in later life tailor.

He joined the 55th Regiment of Foot as a private in 1840 and left in 1861.  His Service number was 1573.    His pension exam was made on 24.6.1861.

My first question is this.   According to what I've been able to find on the 55th, they were redeployed from another Far East posting to China in 1841.     If he joined in 1840, would he have been sent out to join them, or kept at home in a barracks?

My second question is: is it likely that the 55th could have been based in Devonport Barracks in 1861?    He has a daughter called Elizabeth Ann, born c 1860, who gives that as her place of birth in several census records.

[ShaunJ]

If you look at the first page of his army discharge papers, there is this comment:

He has also a medal for China 1841

[Winterbloom21]

Oh Great!    Where can I see his Army Discharge papers?

[ShaunJ]

You can find his discharge papers on FindMyPast. 

Regarding your second question, the depot of the 55th was at Devonport from May 1859 to October 1860 (per newspaper listings of "Stations of the British Army").

[Winterbloom21]

Brilliant, thanks very much Shaun.  S

[Winterbloom21]

What does it mean on an Army discharge paper that someone was 'discharged at own request indulgence No. 3'.     Is that some sort of category under which they acceded to his request?