All,
I need your help is trying to help break down a brick wall. Many years ago I became aware that there is an Alfriston in Auckland, New Zealand. I was able to ascertain that this part of Auckland was named by Dr George Edward Bodle after Alfriston, Sussex. However, George was born in Sydney, Australia in 1844 with no obvious links to Alfriston, Sussex. I was able to learn that George Edward Bodle was the son of George R Bodle and Anne Butler. They married in Sydney, Australia where George was serving in the army (80th Regiment of Foot). Descendants of George Edward Bodle have informed me that George Bodle was born in West Firle in 1812. They speculate that George's parents were William Bodle and Sarah Susan. William and Susan had 4 children that were christened in Alfriston - Mary (1801), Ann (1803), Jane (1805) and Anna (1806). All of these christenings are listed in the IGI. Additionally, William and Susan may have had three children born in West Firle - Susanna (1808), William (1810) and George (1812). These latter children are not listed in the IGI.
After serving with the 80th Regiment of Foot in Australia (on convict duty) and New Zealand (a whaling dispute), George Bodle was posted to India where he gradually moved through the ranks, becoming Paymaster. By 1853, he was in Ireland serving in a Depot Batallion. By the time that he retired (about 1870) he had risen to the honorary rank of Major. His military service can be traced through the Hart's Army list. The 1866 edition describes his military service thus: Major Bodle served in the 80th Regiment throughout the Sutlej campaign of 1845-6, including the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and Sobroan (Medal and two Clasps). Also in the Burmese war of 1852, including the capture of Martaban, operations before Rangoon on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of April, and capture of the Great Dragon Pagoda (with the storming party), and capture of Prome (Medal with clasp for Pegu). Interestingly, a picture of George's India General Service Medal can be found on the internet (
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17372).
George Bodle and Anne Butler had 4 children in Ireland. William Crawford Bodle (1853); Francis Joseph Bodle (1857); Robert Arthur Bodle (1856) and Mary Ann Grace Eliza Bodle (1862). Anne Bodle died in 1866. It has been reported that George was heartbroken and left Ireland, never to return. However, it is not known where he went to, although it is reported that he attended George Edward's wedding in London in 1870. However, he had a falling out with his children (they didn't agree with something that he had done). He hasn't been located in the 1871 census. In the 1872 Hart's Annual List it states that he took a commuted allowance in lieu of half pay. It is unknown when or where he died. Although George Bodle can't be found in the 1871 census, his three youngest children can be found in the 1871 census (as well as George Edward Bodle, his wife Eliza and their 3 month old daughter Annie). William Crawford Bodle has not been found in the 1871 census, although he may have been in India by that time. It is reported that he died in 1872 (drowned while taking a rope to a boat). Francis and Robert can be found in New Shoreham, Sussex, where they were attending the Protestant Grammar School (deceased mother being Catholic). Mary can be found in London (Tower Hamlets), living in the household of William and Priscilla Bodle. Unfortunately, Mary's relationship to William is not easy to read. Ancestry claims that it is daughter but that isn't correct. The reference for the census is Class: RG10; Piece: 575; Folio: 70; Page: 37. William Bodle had married Priscilla Brodrib and was working as an Exam Officer, HM Customs. He moved back to Alfriston, Sussex after Priscilla died in 1873. He remarried to a Catherine Willard in Dec Q 1874. William died in 1890 and Catherine died in 1894. His age fits with a William Bodle listed in the IGI as being christened in Alfriston, Sussex on 6 May, 1810 and being the son of Thomas Bodle and Hannah.
All four of George Bodle's surviving children (George Edward; Francis; Robert and Mary) emigrated to New Zealand in the 1870s.
That was a lot of background information, but it was necessary to set the scene for the questions that I need help with;
1) What was the relationship between William Bodle (m Priscilla) and Mary Bodle (daughter of William Bodle and Anne Butler)?
2) Who were the parents of William Bodle (b 1810 in West Firle) and George Bodle (b 1812 in West Firle)?
3) What happened to George Bodle after he left the army?
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Mark Milton
Show Posts