Army pension eligibility 19th century

[maggbill]

Would anyone be able to tell me what length of service would be needed for a soldier to be eligible to gain an old age "Army Pension" in the late 1800's?

Would like to be able to prove that Matthew Cronan born Ireland - who lived in Glasgow at least from about 1866 - 1901 - is the same Matthew who is with wife Martha in Irish census 1911.

 Please see posting on http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,553596.0.html.  Helpful rootschatters have found this 1911 Irish census... but to prove it is the same Matthew - I need to find out when he would have served in ?Army for Army pension eligibility.  My Matthew was born Ireland about 1838 - but was otherwise employed and married in Glasgow from 1866 onwards - therefore would have only served for about ten years maximum??  Would that have been enough to end up as "Army pensioner"? 

Have tried to look for some Army records - but not finding anything.... don't have FindMyPast credits - and nothing immediately coming up.

Any help welcome!
Maggs

[km1971]

Hi Maggs

You could receive a pension 'time served' after 20 years in 1850s - 60s. However you could be discharged to pension before this due to a condition resulting from his military service.

Ken

[maggbill]

Hi Ken,
thanks for the reply.  This info still leaves the possibility open to this being "My" Matthew Cronan, but again -
all the more reason for me to somehow chase up Matthew Cronan's ???military records....  There is another guy who I have been working on also for more than two years - need his military records from about the same time...  At least with the second one I have a regiment.. but not with Matthew...  I definitely need to win Cross Lotto, to fund a "Family Tree" expedition to the UK - and visit "Kew"...

Thanks again for your helpful info