John Sitch

[Jackarmy1]

Hi , I've picked up on the above gentleman who is a distant Grandparent, he was born in 1839 in Onger Essex and joined the 2nd Battalion, 20th regiment of Foot, East Devonshire. Service number 717. He seems a very interesting character, it looks like he was in the Essex Militia prior. From reading his record he seems to have ran into problems when he joined the East Devonshires and was court- martialed at least  twice. I've also found a newspaper article where he was sentenced to 1 months hard labour for "stealing a dead fowl". I was wondering would the court-martial documentation be saved anywhere, and has anyone got any other suggestions for unearthing anything more as his surname is fairly rare. Thanks in advance.

[AMBLY]

You may already have this but in case not:

Examination of Invalid Soldiers, Tuesday 28th July 1863
John SITCH, age 24
Private, 20th Foot, 2nd Battalion
Total Service:  4 years & 7 months, with 3 years & 5 months deducted, equals effective service for pension: 1 year & 2 months. Worked out to 11 pence, and I think it says 'rejected'.
Conduct: Very Bad
Disabiltity or cause of Discharge: Asthma & Dyspnea able to contribute to. Unfit.
Place of Birth: Norton, Onger, Essex
Description: 5'9", Fresh Complexion, Dark Hair, Grey eyes

Cheers
AMBLY

[Jackarmy1]

Yes had most of it , thanks anyway.

[MaxD]

The only paperwork that survives in that regard would be an entry (entries!) in the on-line Register of Courts Martial on Ancestry (which come from the National Archives registers) and  as his name doesn't ring a bell for the off line registers, it looks as if you have all there is.  In any event, the registers are just that, a record of the charge, finding and sentence with no background.  The administrative paperwork that went with the trials have long since been consigned to the dustbin of history.  The National Archves guide is here:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/courts-martial-desertion-british-army-17th-20th-centuries/

Another element, the lowest level of trial, a trial at regimental level, is also called a court martial and these don't even figure in the registers. 
You have got more than most for that time frame, perhaps the image of him being done for breaking into the equivalent of the local Kentucky Fried Chicken (Ye Olde Dead Fowle Emporium)and making away with his supper could suffice.

MaxD

 

[Jackarmy1]

Thanks Max, any idea what the Essex militia would have been used for?

[MaxD]

His time frame was 1855-1859.  The militia had only to report once a year for annual 28 day training camp unless embodied by the Crown for full time service for some reason.  Some militia were embodied during the Crimean War for service at home to release the regulars to the war.  He was in the West Essex Militia which a quick trawl of newspapers indicate was disembodied in June 1856 having been embodied 18 months.  Seems it was embodied on 1 January 1855 with many other militias as a consequence of the Crimean War.  Can't find any evidence that it, or elements thereof served anywhere but in Colchester in that time.  A spot check of newspapers up to 1859 produces no more embodiments that I can see, just reports of their annual training.

MaxD

[Jackarmy1]

Thanks again Max

[Jackarmy1]

Max - Are you able to see any detail from his time in the East Devonshires, where they were based or anything ? 

[jennifer c]

Do you have him on the 1841 census with his family?

two John Sitch reg in Ongar

Sept qtr 1838 MMN Blows
Dec qtr 1839 MMN Cavill

Jennifer