6nd Brigade @ Meean Mear in 1876

[Vee_02]

Hello

My ancestor John Collins enlisted @Meean Mear in April 1876 and had a 12-year career in service.

On his papers, it mentions the 62nd brigade which I believe to be The Royal Scots.

He served for 4 years in India and then appears to move to Ireland and Scotland before being discharged in Aldershot.

I have a few questions.

I have attached a photo of JC with a reference linked to it. Unfortunately, the bottom part is lost.

So:

1> As the reference states he was 'born into the regiment' I wondered if anyone could give a history maybe of the regiment or brigade from 1860 so I can try and identify his father who must have served too. Did the regiment name change or any locations from 1860 up to 1876?
We believe a relative bought him up and would have been in Salford or Manchester area in the early years of John's life.
The man we believe to ACTUALLY be his father served with the 14th Hussars in Ireland and Lancashire in the 5 years before JCs birth.

2> Does the uniform in the picture look in keeping with the details above?

3> Whilst I have the 6-page army record found on Ancestry and Fold would there be more detailed records pertaining to his misdemeanors and the like

4> And really any other information of knowledge relating to the above would be very very much appreciated as I am trying everything so that I can uncover a long-unsolved family mystery... Namely where this fella came from

Thank you in advance

[ShaunJ]

Have you identified his mother? Per the army record she lived at 79 Edburton Springs, Briding, Nr Hartspear Point, Essex.

[Vee_02]

That address, as it is, does not exist... I suspect it is Edburton nr Hurstpierpoint in Sussex but as yet I cannot identify her either

[ShaunJ]

Looking at his army records, I see that he enlisted in 2nd Battalion Royal Scots (1st Foot) on his 14th birthday 22 April 1876. He enlisted as you say in Meean Meer in India.

So born 22 April 1862.

The fact that he was in India at age 14 suggests that he was there with his family.

"Born into the Regiment" suggests that his father was also in the Royal Scots, probably 2nd Battalion.

In the second quarter of 1861 the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots returned from Hong Kong to Manchester. There were a number of soldiers named Collins on the muster rolls of 2nd Battalion at that time:

John Collins 2970
Robert Collins 3067
Terence Collins 225

[Vee_02]

John Collins 2970
Robert Collins 3067
Terence Collins 225

Wher can I view these please Shaun?

[ShaunJ]

Wher can I view these please Shaun?

The muster books are at the National Archives but for the time of the censuses 1841-1871 they have been collated in the "British Army Worldwide Indexes" which are searchable on FindMyPast and The Genealogist.

Of the three that I listed for 1861, only two (John and Terence) are listed for 2nd Battalion 1st Foot (in India) in the index for 1871.

[ShaunJ]

Private John Collins 2970 was at Meean Meer in November 1975 when his discharge from the army was approved (he was subsequently discharged at Netley in July 1876). Born circa 1836 in Co Mayo and intending to return there to reside at Westport.

No mention of family in what survives of his army file.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1919%2F082%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1919%2F406366

[ShaunJ]

Just comparing signatures; this soldier's attestation in 1876, your man's marriage to Emma Hall in 1889, and 1911 census signature. I think it is the same man: 

[ShaunJ]

Linking back to the birth and baptism certificates in your 2007 thread:

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=248358.msg1374010#msg1374010

If it is the same man, he would only have been aged 11 when he joined the army in April 1876 (or possibly the birth was registered two years late, with a false birthdate).