Certificate of Education Royal artillery

[daisy3]

I have come into the possesion of my Grandfathers Army account book, reading through, it looks as if he first signed up in December 1890 aged 18, but a few pages on there is a certificate of education dated October 1892, certified by the sub inspector of Army schools, stating that he was now proficient in reading,writing, and arithmetic. Would this be a matter of course for all soldiers, or only the least educated . Also i would like to research some of the campaigns that he was part of. He served as a gunner with the Royal Artillery, 75Th Field Batt, 2ND Depot Div FA, and was stationed in India, it is quite difficult to decipher the hand writing on the account book, there are a few places that are mentioned where he saw action, but the only one i can nearly read is "attack and capture Tanga ? Pass". Can anyone suggest any web sites with information on this regiment and its history. He also had three brothers in the 7TH company 3RD division Royal Artillery around this time, i would also be interested to research them. I believe that all of the records are held at Kew, but i live too far away for that to be an option. Any help would be appreciated.

Regards Daisy

[kyt]

Hi Daisy

The taking of Tanga Pass occurred in 1898, as part of the Buner Expedition of that year. It was the "mopping up" of the previous years expedition against the Malakand Uprising, which Winston Churchill had taken part in (and made famous in his book).

If you have access to The Times archive (your local library should have) then do a search for "Tanga" in the year 1898 and you will find a number of despatches, including units involved.

HTH

K

[daisy3]

Thanks for your reply Kyt, one of the other campaigns was in fact north west frontier 1897/98 Malakand. so plenty to go on.
thanks again

Daisy

[gortonboy]

hi,,can you tell us his name...and when and where born? 

[km1971]

Hi Daisy

In 1892 the lowest level of army education certificate was 3rd Class. They had a 4th Class until 1888 which was equivalent to the learning skills of an 8 year old. So 3rd Class would be about equivalent to the skills of a 13 year old - which was the school leaving age. So he probably left school without 'attaining the leaving standard'. The artillery required higher skills than say the infantry, especially if he was to operate the gun rather than just sit on the horse that pulled it.

You had to attain the 2nd Class certificate to be promoted to Corporal, and 1st Class to be a Sergeant in any branch of the army.

Ken

[daisy3]

Hi gortonboy, his name was James Campbell, born 1872 Londonderry.

Regards Daisy

[daisy3]

Thanks for that km, you are correct, the certificate is a third class, and your information on it has answered a few questions of his younger life

Thanks again

daisy

[gortonboy]

HI,,,His service record is available on the findmypast website.
if he is the man born templemoor,,,joined 1890,,,discharged 1900 unfit for further service,,,served in india,,north west frontier,,,awarded india medal with clasp,,,,mother called Mary,,,brothers william and charles......is this your man? 

[gortonboy]

the clasp was for the punjab frontier 1897/98