Where can I find records for an Army Captain?

[peterbaker]

Hi

Joseph Beldon Tapsell was born in 1833, Lambeth, London. I have found the record of his christening and his death, but the only census he appears in is 1891 when he was living in Foots Cray, Kent, married to Caroline and is described as a Retired Army Officer [Captain]. I can find no other references to him.
Can anyone suggest where I can look?
Thanks.

[maidmarianoops]

this should help with family
sylvia

Joseph Beldon Tapsell
Baptism
Date26 May 1833
Father Joseph Reldon Tapsell
Mother Maria Tapsell
Parish St Mary at Lambeth
Middlesex


============================

 Joseph Beldon Tapsell
Maria Tapsell
 Joseph Reldon Tapsell
Birth 26 May 1833 Middlesex
=====================================

Joseph Beldon Tapsell
Maria White
Marriage
Event 21 Jun 1830
St Mary at Lambeth
Middlesex


================================

Sarah Elizabeth Tapsell
Baptism
Date 21 Sep 1831
Father Joseph Beldon Tapsell
Mother Maria Tapsell

Parish  St Mary at Lambeth


============================

Sarah Elizabeth Tapsell
Spouse Alfred Thomas Edwards
Marriage
25 Jun 1861
Parish:St Mary at Lambeth
Lambeth
Father     Joseph Beldon Tapsell
Spouse Father  William Aaron Edwards

[km1971]

Here is one entry for him - http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25782/pages/686

There may be others.

Ken

[jds1949]

The records for army officers before 1913 are held at the National Archives:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmyofficerbefore1913.htm?WT.lp=rg-3140

They are not online and you will either have to visit of commission research or persuade someone to visit on your behalf.

jds1949

[peterbaker]

Thanks Sylvia and jds - and for the London Gazette link, Ken. I did find another reference to him - a previous promotion. As he had an 'honorary' rank of Lieutenant and then Captain, as an Army school teacher and then inspector of Army schools, does that mean he was a civilian, merely employed by the Army, or is it possible that earlier in his career he had a more active role?

Another thought - as he does not appear in the census record until 1891, could he have been posted overseas, or did the military have a separate census for home-based personnel?

I have found another Joseph Beldon Tapsell, a BMD death record - Nothampton 1897, age 35. I haven't managed to find any other record for this person. With the unusual middle name, it may be JBT's son - the absence of other records explained by being overseas??

Peter

[jds1949]

The only census which recorded overseas military was the 1911. If your man was stationed in this country for the other census years then he would have been recorded in whichever barracks he was in. If he was abroad he would not have been recorded.

jds1949

[km1971]

Hi Peter

Well he thought he was in the army as he described himself as an army captain in retirement. He would have come under army discipline. I bet he would have given his rank on any census/BMD certificate.

However unlike Quartermasters who also had honorary commissions it would not have been essential to have previous army experience as a rank & file. In the summer you will be able to check the service records for Other Ranks on Findmypast for any previous service. You could also check FindMyPast now for any regimental BMDs, as it will tell you where he was.

In the Army Lists of 1879 and 1882 he is listed with another 10-12 sub-inspectors without saying where any of them were. He could have been overseas, or in Ireland, and of course their 19th century census have been lost.

Ken

[DeniseBS]

Hi Peter

I know your query regarding Joseph Beldon was back in 2010 but just wondering if you have found anything further. Do you know for example that he served in India, was married there and had at least three children there. You've probably found this by now, but if not let me know and I will supply details.

Cheers

Denise

[peterbaker]

Hi Denise

No - I found nothing more - shame on me!!
I would love to know about his service in India and his family.
Where did you find this?
Many thanks for your help - look forward to hearing from you.
Peter