Challenge!!!

[Jocie]

Can anyone help with this?

Louis Charles Lancaster
Born 1862 in Hastings
Died 1939 in Birmingham

I have failed to find him on the 1891/1901 Census returns

All I have is a Medal Card
This says he was a Marine Inspector in the Mobassa Marine Defence Force.
Theatres of war British East Africa and German East Africa
No one seems to have heard of this unit
I asked at Kew and they think it may have been a special unit set up to protect the railway at Mombassa.

Anyone want a challenge??
Jo

[spongebob]

Found him on the 1881 census (using www.familysearch.com)...

Louis C. LANCASTER
Male

Other Information:
    Birth Year <1863> 
    Birthplace Hastings, Sussex, England 
    Age 18 
    Occupation Upholsterer 
    Marital Status U <Unmarried> 
    Head of Household Henry LANCASTER
    Relation Son 
    Disability

 Source Information:
    Dwelling Grays Lodge
    Census Place Hastings St Leonards, Sussex, England 
    Family History Library Film 1341244
    Public Records Office Reference RG11
    Piece / Folio 1030 / 102
    Page Number 43

[spongebob]

Here is the info on his father from the same place...

Henry LANCASTER 
    Male   
 
  Other Information:
    Birth Year <1829> 
    Birthplace Reading, Berkshire, England 
    Age 52 
    Occupation Cabinet Maker Employing 3 Clerks 15 Men 3 Boys 
    Marital Status M <Married> 
    Head of Household Henry LANCASTER
    Relation Head 
    Disability   
 
  Source Information:
    Dwelling Grays Lodge
    Census Place Hastings St Leonards, Sussex, England 
    Family History Library Film 1341244
    Public Records Office Reference RG11
    Piece / Folio 1030 / 102
    Page Number 43

[spongebob]

Regarding the Marine Defence Force, not having much luck on this so far...

However, there was a Kenya Defence Force which was part of the East Africa Command. They were made up primarily of East Africans, but also West Africans. It's possible that they needed skills from the Allies and Louis may have been attached to this force due to his skills.

Just a thought.

[ec]

Here he is in 1891 a boarder in a lodging house -

Lancaster Louis C 1868 Hastings, Sussex Boarder  Holy Trinity  Sussex  (age is very difficult to read but i think it is 28)
Cabinet salesman
RG12/763 f 86 p 25
RD    Hastings 
Sub RD   St Mary in the Castle 
ED  14 

ec

[Jocie]

Spongebob
Many thanks for your your speedy and helpful response.
I have spent ages trying to trace this unit. It must have existed as there are medal cards for other members. 
He could have been in the Army prior to the WW1 as at least two of his brothers fought in the Boer War.
Thanks again for you help
Jo

[Jocie]

ec
And I thought I had looked!! I obviously didn't try hard enough!
That is a huge help and I'm very grateful
Jo

[ec]

I can't find him in 1901 though - I have looked...

ec

[Llwyd]

It seems a little strange that staff at Kew thought he may have been guarding railways when the term "marine" implies a connection with the sea.

Furthermore,the term "inspector" seems to imply a connection with,possibly,the police.

Just guessing,but you never know.Best of luck.