Help understanding service record

[hume]

Hi,

Found a service record for David Brown, b. 1844 Dunbar, army service 1862 to [I think] 1898.

Although I've managed to get some information from the record on FindMyPast, I'm struggling with the statement of service. A lot of it is abbreviations and difficult to follow.

Just wondered if anyone could help follow it and give me an idea of what David did during his long army career.

Thanks

hume

[ShaunJ]

Interesting that he was alias David Brown MacKenzie.

The medical history tells us that he was at the following stations:

1862 Aberdeen
1863 Perth
1863 Aldershot
1864 Madras
1865 Bangalore
1866 Bellary
1868 Tonghoo (Burma)
1870 Rangoon
1871 Secunderabad
1876 Chatham
1877 Aldershot, then Perth

Which bits of the (very lengthy) Statement of Services are you struggling with?

[hume]

Hi Shaun,

Thanks for your reply.

David was born illegitimately and apparently brought up as Brown until sometime [could be October 1867?] when he started using his reputed father's surname, Mackenzie.

As I understand it, David enlisted 1862 in the 74th. 11 months later, he's now with the 76th. He starts as Private, then promoted to Corporal (1870 - 1871), then Sergeant (1871 - 1878). It's after this that confuses me.

1. He was appointed OR Clerk in Feb 1878, but there's a note he was transferred - out of the regiment again or is this an error?

2. He then is appointed Colour Sergeant in Feb 1881 and then transferred to the Royal Highlanders - is this the Black Watch? He then continues as Colour Sergeant (and promoted in 2nd Mr Segt in 1884), I assume now with the RH?

3. He then joins General Staff in Dec 1884 but remains 2nd Mr Segt - what would this entail? Would he have remained at HQ, etc?

A lot of questions, sorry! Also noticed he said he was 18 on enlistment - but actually he was only 16 too.

hume

[hume]

Just to note I edited my post after saying I didn't have any further queries - seems I need some clarification on the above points. 

[km1971]

OR Clerk = Orderly Room Clerk

2nd Mr Segt is likely to be Qtr Mr Segt = Quarter Master Sergeant

QMS sometimes ended up as Quartermaster with an honorary commission. So worth checking the London Gazette Archive for the year he was discharged. Other Ranks were discharged and became officers the following day.

Yes, Royal Highlanders were the Black Watch.

Ken

[hume]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your reply - it really helps.

I've read up on what an OR Clerk does so have a brief idea of his duties. When he became Colour Sergeant, what would his day to day etc duties be?

David is later described as former Sergeant Major, Recruiting Staff after he left the army - does this match with the above?

Thanks again

[km1971]

There was one Colour Sergeant per company. So about ten per battalion. He would assist the Captain and his two junior officers day to day.

There were several jobs that a discharged senior NCO was suitable for - Barrack Sergeant, senior NCO in the Militia or Volunteers, or like here, working in recruitment.

Ken

[hume]

Hi Ken,

Thanks again.

hume