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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: centrehalf on Thursday 07 September 17 19:10 BST (UK)

Title: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: centrehalf on Thursday 07 September 17 19:10 BST (UK)

My ancestor came home to Scotland after his regiment was reduced in 1817. He was a Captain on half-pay. His service return of 1828 confirms he was till on it then and remained until death in 1832.

Would his half-pay have been enough to live on during this period or would he have had to work too?

Any thoughts or help would be helpful. Thanks

Will

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: MaxD on Thursday 07 September 17 19:38 BST (UK)

This table will give you the figure http://www.napoleonguide.com/ukwages.htm  You should then be able to compare it with cost of living of the time through one or other of :
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cost+of+living+1800+england&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB703GB703&oq=cost+of+living+1800s&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l2.6773j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 (Google cost of living 1800)

MaxD

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: centrehalf on Thursday 07 September 17 20:01 BST (UK)

thank you Max

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: centrehalf on Friday 08 September 17 12:16 BST (UK)

Was it common for an officer to be on half-pay for so long 1817 - 1832?

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: MaxD on Friday 08 September 17 14:13 BST (UK)

There were different reasons for a man to go on half pay, one of which was "at his own request".  It was also a sort of pension in some cases in the event of sickness or the like.  This looks as if it might be the latter.  Are you able to post his name and regiment.

The 1830 regulations which aren't much different I believe from those they superseded can be read here:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Irw8AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA624&lpg=PA624&dq=half+pay+at+his+own+request&source=bl&ots=p2WhtN2mDg&sig=IMPhTpobnpD-xJR2B5CdcIN4HUQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0svmy0pXWAhWkIsAKHaf9DksQ6AEIODAG#v=onepage&q=half%20pay%20at%20his%20own%20request&f=false

MaxD

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: centrehalf on Friday 08 September 17 14:44 BST (UK)

hi Max

Captain John White 3rd Ceylon Regiment

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: MaxD on Friday 08 September 17 15:20 BST (UK)

Had hoped to find a London Gazette entry - no luck!

MaxD

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: centrehalf on Friday 08 September 17 15:30 BST (UK)

ah - what would it have revealed if there was one?

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: MaxD on Friday 08 September 17 16:29 BST (UK)

It may have revealed the reason although given that the regiment disbanded, retirement on  half pay would seem the most likely.

MaxD

Title: Re: Officer on half-pay 1817-1832
Post by: centrehalf on Friday 08 September 17 17:47 BST (UK)

thanks for your posts Max