Army Pensions Information - early 1800's

[NooshieW]

We are trying to find information on our ancestor Richard Andrews - born circa 1790 in Devon.  By the time he married in 1820 he was serving in the 3rd Royal Veteran's Battalion and living in Plymouth.  However, when our g-g-grandmother was born in Plymouth Citadel in 1823 it would appear he was a sergeant in the 28th Regiment of Foot (or Scot's) this is unclear.  When subsequent children were born he has left the Army and is a labourer.  At no time does it mention that he is in receipt of any Army pension.   What information would be on a pension record?   Did all ex-soldiers have a pension?    We are desperate to find out more about our ancestor but don't know where to turn next - would he have a record at the National Archives?   Did ordinary enlisted men have such a record back in the early 1800's?    I know this is a lot to ask, but anything that would enable us to find out more about him would be extremely important to us.  Many thanks!!!

[km1971]

There are two records on microfilm in the National Archives:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-6044542&CATLN=7&Highlight=%2CRICHARD%2CANDREWS&accessmethod=0

and

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-6044544&CATLN=7&Highlight=%2CRICHARD%2CANDREWS&accessmethod=0

They look to be the same man. If you cannot go to Kew you will have to follow the ordering link. You should be warned however that if you are looking for next of kin and other family information you will almost certainly be disappointed. If you are happy with the parish information you should start looking at church records there.

Normally men enlisted for life. But during the wars with France/USA they introduced 7 year ‘limited’ service. These men would not get a pension. ‘Lifers’ were normally given a medical after 21 years and often discharged then to pension. If pensioners had another job they would usually tell officials that occupation. They were not obliged to disclose they were also pensioners.

Ken

[NooshieW]

Many thanks - we are a long way from Kew unfortunately and our dear cousin who lived in London and used to visit Kew for us, has recently passed away - we are trying to find out where Richard was born as on 1841 census he is simply born "in county"!