74foot in colchester 1870’s

[Myrtle boat]

Hi I am trying to find out about my ggrandfather. My Paternal grandmother was Susan Ann Farrelly born 20.12.1874. And registered early 1875. I have a copy of her birth certificate obtained from uk Gro. The birth certificate states his reg as 11th foot and his rank as lance corporal I think . The pension records from 1880 give a Peter Farrelly (his name) and the rank of sargeant, which is the name and rank given on my grandparents marriage certificate. Basically my question is where can I find out about his military service , where he enlisted etc. also there is some confusion about my  ggrandmother whose surname is either Gibson or Gibbons and I hope the military record would help me sort it out. His number according to ancestry is 16Bde/70. Any help appreciated

[Girl Guide]

This link should take you to a copy of their marriage certificate Farrelly/Gibson.  Last one on the page.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1874/11229/8116880.pdf

[Myrtle boat]

Thanks for that civil record of the marriage. Need to check the grandmothers birth certificate again.  Looks like she was a honeymoon baby. They married in Cavan and went to Colchester before the child’s birth. Still looking for info on the military record.

[MaecW]

I'm not clear on which Regiment he served in.
You've headed your enquiry 74th Foot but only mention the 11th in your text.
The 74th were a Highland regiment which in the 1881 Cardwell reforms were amalgamated with another to become the Highland Light Infantry. The 11th were the North Devonshire Regiment which, after another 1881 amalgamation, became the Devonshire Regiment.

Maec

[ShaunJ]

His army file is on FindMyPast as Peter Farley. It has the marriage to Susan Gibson so it is definitely him:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1953%2F026%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1953%2F409040

[ShaunJ]

He served with 10th Foot (3rd Battalion) from 1858 to 1876 (regimental number 496), then with 59th Brigade until 1880 (number 657) where he was with 74th Regiment. After discharge from the regular army in 1880 he attested for the militia in Monaghan and served for 2 years with 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Born Kilmore, Co Cavan circa 1841. Roman Catholic.

[Myrtle boat]

Thanks so much to all of especially the link to find my past, which I will check after my holidays. 

[koh506]

Hi Myrtle, I believe we might be related. My gtgt grandfather Thomas Farrelly was Susan's younger brother, born in Hong Kong. Peter died in Anderson St, Belfast, 1889.

I have more information including his pension records - think he served in South Africa as well as Hong Kong. Let me know if you get this and I'll send you a PM.

Best!

[koh506]

He served with 10th Foot (3rd Battalion) from 1858 to 1876 (regimental number 496), then with 59th Brigade until 1880 (number 657) where he was with 74th Regiment. After discharge from the regular army in 1880 he attested for the militia in Monaghan and served for 2 years with 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Born Kilmore, Co Cavan circa 1841. Roman Catholic.

While I'm here... Thanks for this Shaun! I have other birth certificates, e.g. Bridgid b. 1875  which states that PF was a sergeant in the Cavan militia - is that short hand for the 10th foot?

I also do have Margaret b. 1882 Monaghan barracks, which corroborates your Monaghan militia period from 1880. I don't have anything on the RIF - where is that to be found?

Do you know if it would be common to bring a wife on tour? I have Thomas b. cert and Susan (no maiden name given) is listed as his mother, father Peter Farrelly lance Sgt in 74th foot in Hong Kong. The remaining children were born in Monaghan (Bridgid) and Belfast (Rose, Patrick Healy, Peter, and Joseph William), all to Peter Farrelly and Susan (Gibson).

Peter and Susan died in Anderson St (1888, 1889) which is where Thomas and my family originally hail from in Belfast.

All best

Karl