To: Gasmine 6877
Hello, I am writing from Malta. George Hutchings (Jn)(GH) happens to be my grand grand father. I just ran into this, Rootschat, site when looking for information about GH's Lucknow Indian Medal. This Medal is in my possession. It has his name and HMS Shannon engraved on the rim round the medal.
I do not know exactly when he came to Malta. Maltese official records say that on the 22/01/1870 he married Giuseppa Carbonaro, aged 35 years of Valletta. GH was declared aged 32 years and to be from Chichister, England, occupation bandsman. GH's (Jn) parents were father GH (Sn), alive, farmer, and Sarah Fleet, no occupation, alive.
According to the Maltese records, on the 15/01/1875, a boy was born to GH(Jn)(from Sussex) and Giuseppa. The boy was named Bernard George Hutchings, who happens to be my grandfather on my mother side. Giuseppa Hutchings died on Sun, 13th June 1915, widow of GH. No information was passed on GH's death (disapperance?). What was verbally passed on, is that Bernard was raised by his mother Giuseppa. Bernard eldest daughter, Jenny, married an Englishman by the surname Ephgrave and emigrated to England. My mother, Doris, was the youngest of Bernard's daughters.
I do have a copy of GH(Jn) service record certificate from the National Archives (UK) but as the original is hand written, it is not easily legible. Numbered as 82976, date of birth of GH is 20th August 1835, place of birth Chichester, Sussex.
I hope was of some help.
Regards
MikeA46