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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Myrtle boat on Tuesday 22 October 19 22:54 BST (UK)

Title: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: Myrtle boat on Tuesday 22 October 19 22:54 BST (UK)
Hi I am trying to find out about my ggrandfather. My Paternal grandmother was Susan Ann Farrelly born 20.12.1874. And registered early 1875. I have a copy of her birth certificate obtained from uk Gro. The birth certificate states his reg as 11th foot and his rank as lance corporal I think . The pension records from 1880 give a Peter Farrelly (his name) and the rank of sargeant, which is the name and rank given on my grandparents marriage certificate. Basically my question is where can I find out about his military service , where he enlisted etc. also there is some confusion about my  ggrandmother whose surname is either Gibson or Gibbons and I hope the military record would help me sort it out. His number according to ancestry is 16Bde/70. Any help appreciated
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: Girl Guide on Wednesday 23 October 19 00:06 BST (UK)
This link should take you to a copy of their marriage certificate Farrelly/Gibson.  Last one on the page.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1874/11229/8116880.pdf
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: Myrtle boat on Wednesday 23 October 19 05:18 BST (UK)
Thanks for that civil record of the marriage. Need to check the grandmothers birth certificate again.  Looks like she was a honeymoon baby. They married in Cavan and went to Colchester before the child’s birth. Still looking for info on the military record.
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: MaecW on Wednesday 23 October 19 06:22 BST (UK)
I'm not clear on which Regiment he served in.
You've headed your enquiry 74th Foot but only mention the 11th in your text.
The 74th were a Highland regiment which in the 1881 Cardwell reforms were amalgamated with another to become the Highland Light Infantry. The 11th were the North Devonshire Regiment which, after another 1881 amalgamation, became the Devonshire Regiment.

Maec
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 23 October 19 10:38 BST (UK)
His army file is on FindMyPast as Peter Farley. It has the marriage to Susan Gibson so it is definitely him:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1953%2F026%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1953%2F409040
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 23 October 19 14:08 BST (UK)
He served with 10th Foot (3rd Battalion) from 1858 to 1876 (regimental number 496), then with 59th Brigade until 1880 (number 657) where he was with 74th Regiment. After discharge from the regular army in 1880 he attested for the militia in Monaghan and served for 2 years with 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Born Kilmore, Co Cavan circa 1841. Roman Catholic.
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: Myrtle boat on Thursday 24 October 19 18:00 BST (UK)
Thanks so much to all of especially the link to find my past, which I will check after my holidays.  ;)
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: koh506 on Sunday 16 August 20 09:13 BST (UK)
Hi Myrtle, I believe we might be related. My gtgt grandfather Thomas Farrelly was Susan's younger brother, born in Hong Kong. Peter died in Anderson St, Belfast, 1889.

I have more information including his pension records - think he served in South Africa as well as Hong Kong. Let me know if you get this and I'll send you a PM.

Best!
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: koh506 on Sunday 16 August 20 09:30 BST (UK)
He served with 10th Foot (3rd Battalion) from 1858 to 1876 (regimental number 496), then with 59th Brigade until 1880 (number 657) where he was with 74th Regiment. After discharge from the regular army in 1880 he attested for the militia in Monaghan and served for 2 years with 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Born Kilmore, Co Cavan circa 1841. Roman Catholic.

While I'm here... Thanks for this Shaun! I have other birth certificates, e.g. Bridgid b. 1875  which states that PF was a sergeant in the Cavan militia - is that short hand for the 10th foot?

I also do have Margaret b. 1882 Monaghan barracks, which corroborates your Monaghan militia period from 1880. I don't have anything on the RIF - where is that to be found?

Do you know if it would be common to bring a wife on tour? I have Thomas b. cert and Susan (no maiden name given) is listed as his mother, father Peter Farrelly lance Sgt in 74th foot in Hong Kong. The remaining children were born in Monaghan (Bridgid) and Belfast (Rose, Patrick Healy, Peter, and Joseph William), all to Peter Farrelly and Susan (Gibson).

Peter and Susan died in Anderson St (1888, 1889) which is where Thomas and my family originally hail from in Belfast.

All best

Karl
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: Jebber on Sunday 16 August 20 10:30 BST (UK)

Do you know if it would be common to bring a wife on tour? I have Thomas b. cert and Susan (no maiden name given) is listed as his mother, father Peter Farrelly lance Sgt in 74th foot in Hong Kong.

It was quite normal for a wife to go on tour, provided the soldier was married with his CO’s permission, or already married when he enlisted.
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: ShaunJ on Sunday 16 August 20 11:00 BST (UK)
Quote
the Cavan militia - is that short hand for the 10th foot

No! It's the Cavan militia - part time soldiers.

Quote
I don't have anything on the RIF - where is that to be found?

Right at the end of the army file - see the link I posted last year. He was discharged in January 1883 after being reduced to the ranks (from sergeant) for insubordination. 
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: koh506 on Sunday 16 August 20 11:15 BST (UK)
Thanks both!

One more question, Shaun (really appreciate this - it massively illuminates him for me): it looks like he had a history of insubordination, going down the ranks several times. Is that 'confinement' for drinking, on the record of service?

 Is there any significance to the red score through the 'by sentence of court martial for insubordination'?

Thanks again - I'd realised he was in 74th ft but hadn't connected this to the other two periods of service.
Title: Re: 74foot in colchester 1870’s
Post by: ShaunJ on Sunday 16 August 20 14:10 BST (UK)
Quote
Is that 'confinement' for drinking, on the record of service?

It looks like Drunkness doesn't it - but it's normally just the rank in that column so it's a puzzle.