Britsh Forces in Canada 1870s

[Suttonrog]

After 9 years I have finally broken down a brick wall.

Walter Beswick Berridge ( my gg uncle) born 1848 disappears from the English records after the 1861 census.

By accident I have found his marriage as Walter Beswick in 1876 in Halifax Nova Scottia. This led to finding him in the 1871 Canadian census in Quebec. He is a soldier listed amongst 29 pages of other soldiers. No other information.

He reappears in the 1891 Canadian census, with his wife and 2 children born in England in 1876 and 1887 so he should be in the 1881 English census but none of the family are.

I am therefore assuming that he was still in the army until he returns to Canada in 1890.

So that I can try and find out more about him does anyone have any thoughts as to which regiments were serving in Quebec in 1871 and Halifax in 1876?

Thanks

Rog

[km1971]

Hi Rog

You need to post the names of the officers. They usually have distinctive names. We can then look in army lists.

His regiment may have been serving overseas in 1881 as well - or in Ireland

Ken

[Suttonrog]

Thanks Ken,

I will trawl through the census pages and look up the officers - it may take some time.

I'll post again tomorrow.

Rog

[neil1821]

I can maybe shed some light on this.
On the CGSM medal roll there's a Pte Walter Beswick (nr. 1597) in the 1st Batt, 60th Rifles - Red River clasp. Sure that must be your chap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Rebellion
http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/canada_general_service_medal.htm

- 1/60th were in Nova Scotia from 1871-76
- in 1876 they transferred back to England (would account for the 1876 birth)
- 1881 at the Curragh, Ireland (so absent from the census)
- 1887 in Aldershot (second birth in England)

[gortonboy]

hi,,Niel had found yer man,,,he joined the 60th riflesin 1867 age 18,,,he served for 22 years,,,he was in Canada from 1868 -1877,,married his wife Arabella in halifax,nova scotia,20th april 1876...his service record is available on the findmypast website

[Suttonrog]

Sorry,

I have been away for a few days.

Thanks you all for your comments. A lot to follow up on.

This site has never let me down.

Thanks a lot.

Rog

[Suttonrog]

Thanks Neil and Gorton.

He is indeed my man and family. It shows that he tended to lie a little about his age and occupation. AT his marriage he syas he is a musician, not a soldier, so I was not looking for him to still be in the army (but he spent some time as a bandsman).

The service records put all the details together even down to his description. Great stuff. He was small - all the rest of the family were large by the standards of the day.

Thanks again

Rog