British army 1880

[jan117]

Hi Everyone
I have seen a marriage document of a marriage in Nova Scotia in 1883 the husband states that he is in the Royal Artillery.
Does anyone know of any reason why the British (Royal Artillery) would be there at that time.
Many Thanks and a happy new year
Jan

[Calpe 1704]

Perhaps the following might assist you: -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/searchresults.asp?fldLettercodeRef=WO&fldClassRef=&fldSearchNumber=123453&fldInvert=0&SearchInit=6

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/artillery.aspx

http://www.firepower.org.uk/research/index.asp

On the 1st July 1859, the Brigade System was introduced, the old system which divided the regiment into companies and battalions with permanent battalion Head Quarters at Woolwich was abolished and companies serving in different parts of the Empire were linked together in Brigades on grounds of geography instead of History.  Companies of different battalions serving on the same station were christened battalions of the same brigade and the old battalion staff at Woolwich became the staff, at various stations of the brigades newly created.

You could check out a book Battery Records of the Royal Artillery, by M.E.S. Laws, this will tell you what Battery/Brigade was there.   

[km1971]

Hi Jan

If his service record survives in Kew it will be filed in alphabetical order, so you do not need to know his battery, etc - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/army/step4.htm

If you cannot get to Kew, Findmypast are putting them online (due 2011). If his papers have not survived you should find him in the Muster Books (WO12 and 16). You will need to know his battery to research these. From the 1884 Army List, the 6th, 7th and 8th Batteries, 1st Brigade, Welsh Division, Garrison Artillery were in Halifax.

BTW...are you aware that the 1881 Canadian Census is available free on the IGI? I have just found the entry for the Major of the 6th Battery.

Ken