Show Posts
1
Armed Forces / Re: Queen's Guard &/or Militia search
« on: Friday 28 January 11 16:07 GMT (UK) »
Thanks Ken, for your quick reply. John Tait lived in Horncliffe which is presently (since 1844) in Northumberland county, but before that was under the jurisdiction of Durham county. [I hurry to add that my knowledge of English history/geography is perhaps more than the average American, but much less than the rest of the members of this forum. So if I get details wrong, please be kind 
]
John Tait was a salmon fisherman, as his father had been, so he would have been just one of many in service, and not an officer or anything like that. My guess is that his service was not generated by an voluntary enlistment but was something like our National Guard - everyone had to sign up. I'm not sure why in our 'family lore' there is a distinction between his service in the "Queen's Guard" and the "militia". Perhaps someone earlier drew an association between John Tait's service and the fact that Horncliffe is not far from Coldstream?
Can you suggest a way I can follow up on your suggestion w/re Durham and the militia? Thx.
]John Tait was a salmon fisherman, as his father had been, so he would have been just one of many in service, and not an officer or anything like that. My guess is that his service was not generated by an voluntary enlistment but was something like our National Guard - everyone had to sign up. I'm not sure why in our 'family lore' there is a distinction between his service in the "Queen's Guard" and the "militia". Perhaps someone earlier drew an association between John Tait's service and the fact that Horncliffe is not far from Coldstream?
Can you suggest a way I can follow up on your suggestion w/re Durham and the militia? Thx.