Thomas Barrow Napoleonic Wars?

[Aboreal Addict]

I am clutching at straws,   but I have a Thomas Barrow who was born approx.1780 in Holmfirth West Riding of Yorkshire.   He married a Martha and had two children Hannah in 1804 both children are listed as parents  and George in 1808 where only Martha is listed. So where is Thomas?
I can't find any record of him dying or being in prison  so I was wondering if he was in the army .  I understand there was a regiment from west Yorkshire at Waterloo.
Thanks any help appreciated.  Wendy.

[km1971]

Hi Wendy

Men would enlist in any regiment that happened to be passing, and regiments did not really have a local connection until about 60 years later when they adopted permanent depots. The NA Catalogue - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp - lists five Thomas Barrows, none of which fits. These represent only a (unknown) percentage of what used to exist. You should select Class = WO (for War Office).

Men would join the regular army for life, or until some disability prevented them serving. The chances are he would have had to leave his family behind. So a more likely military idea would be that he joined the Militia. There were two types during the Napoleonic wars. Both were under the Lord Lt of the county, and any surviving records are likely to be in the local record office. The Militias served usually near the coast to guard against invasion, and some wives did follow their husbands, but it would not have been a right. They could serve anywhere in the UK, including Ireland.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=26

Ken

[Aboreal Addict]

Hi Ken,  Thanks for your reply and for the information .   It gives me something to go on and some ideas for the future.    It helps to speak to someone who knows about these things. I assume Thomas would have been local to Holmfirth  is it likely that they were passing through when he met his wife?  Wendy.

[km1971]

Hi Wendy

If you have got your information from the IGI you really need to research the Holmfirth baptism records for more children, and a possible death of Thomas or re-marriage of Martha. Did Hannah married John Batty in 1837 - two weeks before civil registration? Seeing the actual record might throw some light on Thomas.

Ken

[Aboreal Addict]

Thanks for the advice  and the pointers  Pity I don't live a bit nearer. Wendy.