'Ninth Army Reserve' in 1881

[SteVP]

A census entry for a Henry Rouse in Isleworth, Middlesex in 1881 describes him as a 'Police Constable (9th Army Reserve)'

There appear to be rumours in part of the family that he may have served in India but these are vague. He was in the Hounslow area in the 1871 census and joined up subsequently. He spent at least some of the intervening years between the censuses in Liverpool where he married and had his first daughter in 1879. He eventually went on to rise to Inspector with the Victorian Metropolitan Police.

Can anyone help over exactly what the Victorian Ninth Army was/ comprised/ did? All Googling it seems to achieve is wonderful things about Americans in that little bit of WW2 they deigned to turn up for.

Henry's brother George was also in the army, but we only know this as we have his 1873 marriage lines at Christ Church, Fulwood, north of Preston, stating merely that he was a soldier in the local barracks. He is absent from the 1871 census and was previously with Henry in Feltham, Middlesex.

Any information or intelligent speculation concerning the above most welcome. 

[ainslie]

The 9th Regiment of Foot became the Norfolk Regiment in 1881.  Could he have served previously with them, and then been a reservist?  Someone will be able to state what the terms of engagement were then. - so many years 'with the colours' and so many on reserve.
A

[SteVP]

Thanks for that, Ainslie. I know of no connection with Norfolk. I presume he would sign up at his local barracks in Hounslow, Middlesex, though of course fate may have taken him in different directions following the 1871 census and he could have signed up elsewhere. Would a Ninth Regiment of Foot equate to a Ninth Army in those days - it's the best I have to go on being an ignoramus in military matters. He would seem to be involved in the early development of the military police. The Liverpool connection makes me wonder whether Irish troubles had a part to play.

[nanny jan]

Hi,

Welcome to Rootschat.  

His service record with the Metropolitan Police might shed some light on any army service.

Copy of his marriage certificate will also show his occupation.


Nanny Jan

[km1971]

There was a major reorganisation of the infantry in 1873. As George was married in December (qtr) it is likely he was serving in the 47th Regiment of Foot. The 47th were paired with the 81st Regiment, but their depot was still in Portsmouth in 1874. The 47th were in Limerick for the 1871 census.

The 7th Dragoon Guards were based in Manchester, and they may have had a troop in Preston.

Reservists could live anywhere in the UK so 9th AR may be the district covering Middlesex. Army Lists of the time do not give information on the structure of the Reserves. Equally it may be him remembering his old regiment.

Ken

[SteVP]

Now then, Ken, one has to admire someone who can state "as George was married in December (qtr) it is likely he was serving in the 47th Regiment of Foot" - I really do think his brother Henry would be proud of that statement during his time as a Met police inspector! The precise date was December 15 if that's helpful.

Liverpool seems to me to be something of a key, especially as you mention Limerick. George's bride, one Jane Tinsley, like him is absent from the 1871 census, she from her home in the Scotland Road area of Liverpool. Hers was a very poor family and it would be difficult to envisage her travelling much or meeting many persons other than those in her immediate area. Somehow she and George, from Middlesex, meet, and it is difficult to see his army involvement not having something to do with it.

Perhaps the 47th would have some form of base in Liverpool or members of it would perhaps commonly take periods of leave there as a relatively easy place to reach on the mainland?

George and Jane settled in Liverpool after their marriage. One of their descendents - my second cousin Alan Rouse - became the first Briton to scale K2, tragically dying on the descent.

Ninny jan - thanks, yes, the Met records might well reveal more, a good idea. As might Henry's daughter's birth certificate.

[km1971]

There were no permanent bases before 1873. The 47th would have passed through Liverpool a few times, but they do not appear to have been based there.

In the early part of 1873 the 8th Regiment were in Preston. but they did not become the Liverpool Regiment until 1881, and even then their base was in Warrington until just before WW1.

Ken