Is there a record ?? ......

[liverpool annie]

I'm looking for somewhere that would have records of the Enrolled Pensioner Force which consisted of soldiers who went to the colony of Western Australia between 1850 and 1880 most going during the years of Transportation as Guards on the convict ships.
They were soldiers who had been discharged from Military Service and who on discharge from the army were awarded pensions
I'm particulaly looking for men who fought in the Crimean !!

Thanking you in advance

Annie 

[kyt]

There is a book called History of the Enrolled Pensioner Force in Western Australia, 1850-1880 by F H Broomhall, which covers the vast majority of 1200 or so, with small biogs.

ISBN: 085905103X
date: 1989

Probably need to get a copy via inter-library loans

K

[liverpool annie]

Thanks K ... I saw that .... but I haven't been able to get it here ... though I did put in a request ... twice at different libraries !!  ... I might have to breakdown and buy it !! 

It's just that I wondered if any records would be at Kew ... I'm going round in circles at Australian Archives !!

Annie 

[kyt]

Annie

I don't know why your requests for a copy via the British Library has failed so far as they do have a copy:

System number        009465115
Author - personal      LinkBroomhall, F. H.
Title      LinkThe veterans : a history of the Enrolled Pensioner Force in Western Australia, 1850-1880 / by F.H. Broomhall.
Publisher/year      LinkCarlisle, W.A. : Hesperian Press, 1989.
Physical descr.      1 v. (various pagings) : ill. ; 23 cm.
General note      Includes indexes.
Corporate subject      LinkGreat Britain. Enrolled Pensioner Force -- History.
     LinkGreat Britain. Enrolled Guard -- History.
Subject      LinkVeterans -- Australia -- Western Australia -- Employment -- History -- 19th century.
     LinkVeterans -- Great Britain -- Employment -- History -- 19th century.
     LinkPolice -- Australia -- Western Australia -- History -- 19th century.
Subject      LinkWestern Australia -- History.
     LinkWestern Australia -- Genealogy.
Holdings (All)      Details
Shelfmark      YA.1992.a.20041 Request
ISBN      Link085905103X
Dewey class. no.      Link362.86/8/09941 20

http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/?func=full-set-set&set_number=159980&set_entry=000001&format=999

I'd take the above details to you library and stamp your foot - they sound like my local library who always need a bit of a shove in the right direction 

K

[liverpool annie]

But I'm in America - remember ?!! 

[kyt]

Ah errr oh


......sorry, forgot 

[liverpool annie]

 

I've been Googling and I found this ... but I can't find out where to look for details .... thats if there are any !!  but I imagine there are ... somewhere !!

As part of their emigration policy, the English government began to send military pensioners to Australia. By the time the policy ended in 1864, more than 2000 people had come to the Swan River Colony through the scheme. At that time, life in the British Army was harsh. Soldiers were often recruited under dubious circumstances and would have been predominantly taken from the working class in rural areas. Their barracks were overcrowded and squalid. From a basic wage were deducted expenses for food, laundry, medical treatment and haircuts. The average soldier did not retire wealthy.

Against this background, an offer of free passage, six months employment, and a grant of land must have appeared attractive, and another pool of useful, loyal migrants was established. Pensioner guards were encouraged to accompany convicts aboard the ships, and worked for the government for a time when they arrived at the colony, but they were not generally retained permanently, and thus found their way all over West Australia where they worked for other free settlers, or established their own businesses.

As enrolled pensioners they were paid a retainer, somewhat like today's army reserves, and were required to be available to serve in the case of an outbreak among the prisoners. Theres no evidence found but with guards stationed at any number of remote sites like Kojonup, it is easy to assume that they were also required to protect farms and stock from the land's original inhabitants.

To encourage them to stay in the colony, they were offered an allotment of ten acres of land, which they could select, and after leasing it for seven years they owned it freehold. As an added incentive, they were promised the use of convict labour to clear the land and a gratuity of ten pounds.

The pensioner guards were a creation of their time. The colonial government needed to bolster the population for strategic purposes, and the guards needed a way to escape the grinding poverty in Europe. Even though the new life was hard, they were used to the privations of fighting in places like Afghanistan, India and South Africa, and many had brought their families with them on what was a new adventure.

[spof]

Hi Annie

I've posted a link on the board for us colonials 

Glen

[liverpool annie]

Smart thinking !!  ... thanks Glen !!

Annie