My ancestor deserted in 1903

[Patricia Houghton]

My Ancestor, Robert FRANCIS was in the 2nd Battalion Royal Garrison Regiment, Service number 1369 from 13th March 1901.
On the 15th May 1901 he was shipped out with his Battalion to Gibraltar.
His rank on the 12th February 1903 was recorded as Lance Corporal and he had extended his service by another 3 years.
On the 13th May 1903, he deserted. I do not know why and I do not believe the Army ever found him again because he changed his name.

Would he still be court martialled in absentia ?
Would there be any records of same? Where would they be held?
Would the Army have published his desertion somewhere ?

Any help/guidance/pointers would be very welcome

[GrahamSimons]

This might help.....

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/courts-martial-desertion-british-army-17th-20th-centuries/

[tonepad]

Would the Army have published his desertion somewhere ?

...lists of deserters from Her Majesty's Service, published in the UK Police Gazette between 1812 and 1927

The above collection is on Ancestry, but have been unable to find your ancestor.


Tony

[Patricia Houghton]

Thanks Tony,
I checked that one too. Annoyingly the Gazette on Ancestry spans 1812-1902 and 1921-1927 and my ancestor went and deserted in 1903 so he has dropped through the date gaps.