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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Ouse who on Tuesday 17 November 20 20:49 GMT (UK)

Title: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: Ouse who on Tuesday 17 November 20 20:49 GMT (UK)
I hoping to glean more about the military career of James so any advice/information would be greatly valued.

Do his children's birthplaces point to a particular regiment?

First son James was born Scotland c1821, then 2 sons were born in Ireland c1822 and c1825 (Dublin), and one son born in Gosport 1827. By 1841 his wife and children were living on or around Coombe Street, Exeter but no sign of James.

Although his Exeter marriage entry suggests he was of Exeter, thus far I have not been able to find evidence of his birthplace and when and where he died. I can't find him in 1841 census so perhaps he had already died - certainly by 1851 his wife Elizabeth is recorded as a widow in the census.

O.

Deaths recorded in 1849 and 1856 refer to grandson James and son James respectively.
British Army Service records have a James Blunt discharged 1808 from Lynn, Norfolk but I am inclined to think he is not my man.

Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 18 November 20 09:09 GMT (UK)
Quote
one son born in Gosport 1827

There's a baptism at Alverstoke in 1828 (7 September) for John Blunt born 16 August 1828, son of James and Elizabeth. James is a soldier in the Rifle Brigade. Abode Forton. https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=S2%2FGBPRS%2FPORTSMOUTH%2F008061864%2F00359&parentid=GBPRS%2FPORTSMOUTH%2FBAP%2F00222489


There's an 1833 record of a deserter from the Rifle Brigade (1st Battalion) named James Blunt, aged 39, born Troy, Monmouthshire. A labourer. Could be him. https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBM%2FARMDES%2F327019427

Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: Brentor boy on Wednesday 18 November 20 09:31 GMT (UK)
Free Reg has the following baptism:-
17 Feb 1793. James Blunt, son of William and Anne. St Cenedion, Rockfield, Mon.
Date about right. Geography a bit "iffy". Are parents' names repeated in his children?
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 18 November 20 10:02 GMT (UK)
There's another baptism which is a better fit - 14 Feb 1796 at Mitchel Troy Monmouthshire - James Blunt son of Peter and Mary.
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 18 November 20 11:35 GMT (UK)
Elizabeth Blunt's PoB on the 1851 Census is "Gosport". James Blunt deserted from the "1st Battalion"
 
The Miltary Register, Wed 10 February 1819

Rifle Brigade
1st Batt - Gosport
2nd Batt - Birr

 
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 18 November 20 14:47 GMT (UK)

Do his children's birthplaces point to a particular regiment?

First son James was born Scotland c1821, then 2 sons were born in Ireland c1822 and c1825 (Dublin), and one son born in Gosport 1827. By 1841 his wife and children were living on or around Coombe Street, Exeter but no sign of James.


The links below identify the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade in places and times that "fit" the births above -
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3324465/3324467/4/
See bottom col 2 - this was shortly after the Exeter wedding on 9 August (but it does mention wives/ family did not travel at that time)

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3873480/3873484/30/
See col3. I can see an earlier report (Feb 1822) of the Rifle Brigade in Ireland but it does not refer specifically to the 1st Battalion

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3325840/3325844/17/
See col 2

Yet to check for Gosport in 1827!

Correction - misread the 1825 item - the 1st Batt were in Belfast; it was the 2nd Batt in Dublin

 
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: Ouse who on Wednesday 18 November 20 15:58 GMT (UK)
Well what a difference fresh eyes and experience can achieve!  :o

Thank you all so much for the great links - so much additional information and new avenues to  explore. Don't let me stop you from supplying more! ;)

James Blunt's desertion (and disappearance?) perhaps explain why his wife and three of his children turned to petty crime.

O.
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: Ouse who on Wednesday 18 November 20 16:23 GMT (UK)
I notice the book The history of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) formerly the 95th by Sir William Henry Cope gives details of the movements of the Brigade and can be viewed/downloaded:

https://archive.org/details/historyofriflebr00cope/page/n3/mode/2up

O.
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 18 November 20 16:47 GMT (UK)
James Blunt of the 1st Battalion looks a good bet to be "your" James Blunt.

https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3325095/3325097/3/

Top Col 1 - this item in The Cambrian, 2 Mar 1822 confirms families were with the regiment in Ireland - but makes grim reading.
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 18 November 20 17:23 GMT (UK)
The 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade returned to Portsmouth from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 6 December 1827. The depot company went to Devonport, October 1827.ies returned
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: Ouse who on Thursday 19 November 20 14:46 GMT (UK)
Many thanks for the extra information and introducing me to Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru website with its very useful newspaper archive.

O.
Title: Re: James Blunt soldier in Devon 1819 - which regiment?
Post by: hanes teulu on Thursday 19 November 20 18:07 GMT (UK)
Croeso.
Welsh newspapers online is a great resource.