Royal Marines Division Foston

[CWilli]

Hello,

Newbie here. I stumbled across this site after typing into google an ancestor and hoping that this site might shine a light on where to go next with my research.

I have a 2nd great-grandfather, born 1837 - 1916. In the 1861 census it states his profession was a Sgt Royal Marines Division Foston based Alverstoke Hampshire. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find his service number and hence do not know where to go to find further info.  I'm on Ancestry but the info is limited prior 1900.

Thank you in advance
Claire

[MaxD]

Welcome Claire!

Look through the National Archives guidance on RM records here first:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-marines-other-ranks/
Note that it talks about knowing his Division.  I am a liitle unsure about Foston, it may be a badly transcribed Portsmouth which was/is a RM Division.

You could also put his name and any other details on here and the serried ranks of keen helpful Rootschatterers will leap to your aid I am sure.

MaxD

[rosie99]

Could it be Forton, a Hamlet in Alverstoke 

[Drosybont]

Forton Barracks was the home of the Portsmouth Division Royal Marines Light Infantry.  Even had a school for children of Royal Marines, my mother's first school in 1915 or thereabouts.

Drosybont

[CWilli]

Thank you all for your responses.

This is the information I have, from Census's only

George Goddard b abt 1837 - abt Dec 1916 Brentford, Middx

1861c - Aged 24yrs Alverstoke Hampshire - Marine
1871c - Alverstoke, Hampshire - Sgt Royal Marines
1881c - Brentford Middx - Pensioner Royal Marines (Naval Pensioner)

Thank you in advance

Claire

[rosie99]

The 1861 has him as a Marine - Unmarried - Sergeant.  The front page of the Enumeration book has
District Alverstoke
Enumeration book for Division of Royal Marines.
Stationed at
Forton County of Hants

Parish - Alverstoke
Town- Forton nr Gosport
Ecclesiastical district of St John the Evangelist, Forton

[rosie99]

This may be him
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10115912

Reference - ADM 157/539/314 
Description - Folios 314-319. George Goddard, born Middlesex.
Attestation papers to serve in the Royal Marines at Portsmouth 1854 (when aged 18).
Discharged 1876 as Length of service
 

[MaxD]

You could also put his name and any other details on here and the serried ranks of keen helpful Rootschatterers will leap to your aid I am sure.

Told you so!

MaxD

[Drosybont]

In my experience records held by the National Archives for Royal Marines are well worth seeing, more in them than some of the Navy records for my relatives.

Drosybont