The army early 1800s - what regiment would Irishmen have joined?

[vmhp]

My GGgf from Galway was a deceased Army Pensioner by 1866. Any idea which regiment he might have joined?

[MaxD]

Any one of all of them!  Ireland was part of Britain at that time and thus the British Army was "his".  There were a number of "Irish" regiments but belonging to them was not exclusively for Ireland born folk.

When looking for him, just look at the British Army.  Would you like to post his name and details (date and place of birth).


MaxD

[John915]

Good afternoon,

Do you know what regt's were stationed there at that time MaxD. That would at least narrow it down a little.

John915

[GR2]

If he was awarded an army pension, his discharge papers may well survive and give you precise details of his army career. Have you checked for these?

[heywood]

Good afternoon,

Do you know what regt's were stationed there at that time MaxD. That would at least narrow it down a little.

John915

When did he join? He may not have enlisted in Galway.

[MaxD]

John

Almost unanswerable.


Snap shot - in July 1866:

Of the 109 Foot regiments, 25 battalions were in Ireland;  of the 31 cavalry regiments, 7 were in Ireland.  Then there were the brigades of artillery, companies of engineers and many others.  My counting may be a bit out but really the only way is to chase him  by name.

Max

[vmhp]

Oh dear!!  His name was John Hoban BUT that is all I know. His son William was born in Castleblakeney, Galway 1837/38 and I have evidence of later family contact in Galway via his Grandson who was born in Lancs 1871 and grew up in Achill - so rather distant for those early years. The info I have is on his son's marriage certificate. I have been through everything in recent years and it looks like his is one of the missing records WO47 (or similar). I even approached a professional but he came up with the same so I did not employ him! I have several family on Gedmatch too with no result in that direction. I believe there are still Hobans in the same area of Galway but no evidence on websites. A friend who is ex Army said some regiments have separate records so thought finding the regiment worth a try Not a brick wall - a solid lump of concrete!
Many thanks and any bright ideas most welcome!

[josey]

Do you have a Bridget in the family? A Bridget Hoban was born in Galway in 1834 to a soldier in the 30th regiment [findmypast regimental indices].

ADDED: rootsireland have the baptism of Bridget, her father is Michael Hoban of the 30th regiment, mother Anne Gallagher so not your man. Baptised 1 Jan 1834 Congregational, 28 Jan 1834 RC.

[hallmark]

https://www.johngrenham.com/c_parish/c_parish_main.php?civilparishid=1057&county=&civilparish=Killosolan

https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0535  only start 1840