Chelsea Pensioner Look Up Please

[tillyann]

Hi. Could someone please look up a Chelsea Pension Record for me. I found Edmd Whittakers (actual name Edmund Whitaker) from Roscadale, Lancaster (actual place Rossendale, Lancashire). Born 1798 and discharged 1839. This is definitely his record but it sends me to Fold3 when I try to open it. I don't have Ancestry at home which is how I found the record. Any help much appreciated.

[emeltom]

Not sure exactly what you want to know.

He joined up aged 16 on 15 September 1813. He was born in Rossendale and a Tailor by trade. He was invalided out 12 June 1839 with Rheumatism. During his service he attained the rank of Corporal. He served one year in the Netherlands and the rest of his service is described as "at home". This apparently included Ireland.

His service record is also on findmypast.

Emeltom

[tillyann]

Thank you for doing this for me.
I have Edmund's service record but I was hopeful that something may have been recorded about when his pension payments ended. This would have assisted me in finding a death record. I have no information on what happened to him post the 1851 Census.

[ShaunJ]

Pension records on FindMyPast suggest that he moved to Ireland in 1856 (paying office changed from Preston to Longford at that time, and then to Athlone in 1862). 

[ShaunJ]

He was invalided out 12 June 1839 with Rheumatism

He continued to serve with 25th Foot until 23 October 1839.

[tillyann]

ShaunJ
That us the most amazing piece of information. I have spent years searching for him in Lancashire. It makes sense. His wife was Irish.
You have given me such a great lead and would explain a lot.
Thank you.

[ShaunJ]

Date of death 25 November 1874. Probably in the Athlone area.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM/WO23/57/00429&parentid=GBM/WO23/57/00429/1256601

[ShaunJ]

Can't see a death registration for him in Ireland in 1874 but there is this one in Q4 1873. It's possible that "died 25/11" was written in the wrong year column in the pension ledger: 

Name   EDWARD WHITTAKER
Date of Death   1873
SR District/Reg Area   Longford
Deceased Age at Death   70
Returns Year   1873
Returns Quarter   4
Returns Volume No   18
Returns Page No   154

[tillyann]

Thanks again ShaunJ.
The only thing that may not fit is that he is recorded as Edward not Edmund although we know that isn't so unusual.
Was there any reference to his wife Margaret? Her maiden name was either Donough or Donohoe. I suppose the pension died with him a d wasn't carried on until the wife died also.