Royal Marines 1797

[haney]

Hi Everyone I am doing research on my GG Uncle WILLIAM BYRNE (also Burn/e).  He joined the Royal Marines in 1797 for what appears "Life" on the records I have. 

William was 17 when he joined and was born in Kings co. Bracknagh.  Seems as though he left about 1822.

From attestation papers below
 
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/967bcc1b2e7e4b7ab1d3a8052693f035


From doing research recently it seems that some of the guys who enlisted/joined the Royal Marines this was actually a preferred method to transportation by enforced service.  I don't know if that is the case here.  William was Irish and his brother Michael Byrne was a convict sent here to NSW in 1799 after being tried in Kildare in 1797 (coincidence??) not sure


 He was living in High St. Woolwich in the 1841 and 1851 Census with wife Catherine nee DINAN.

He also had the Hampshire Hogg from around 1823.  I would like to find all the entries in the Pigots Directory from 1823-?? 1839 maybe for him.   

I was wondering if there were any actual pension records available as he received a pension from the Royal Marines up until his death perhaps in 1852.  Any help in adding to my timeline would be wonderful.  Thanks very much for any ideas.  Regards Dianna

[Maiden Stone]

What was Michael Byrne's crime?

[haney]

Hi Michaels crime seems to be a political one, possibly Rebel from what I can understand.  Thanks for your reply.  Dianna

[Maiden Stone]

Hi Michaels crime seems to be a political one, possibly Rebel from what I can understand.  Thanks for your reply.  Dianna

That's what I suspected in view of the timing of his conviction, the year before a rebellion and French invasion. William may have been involved/accused/suspected/assumed guilty by association and joining the army was the alternative to conviction. On the other hand his parents may have sent him into the British Army to keep him out of trouble at home.

[Maiden Stone]

From doing research recently it seems that some of the guys who enlisted/joined the Royal Marines this was actually a preferred method to transportation by enforced service.  I don't know if that is the case here.  William was Irish and his brother Michael Byrne was a convict sent here to NSW in 1799 after being tried in Kildare in 1797 (coincidence??) not sure

"Mass recruitment in Munster and Leinster from the spring of 1797 then broadened the base of the unified movement ...  By the eve of the Rebellion ... a paramilitary force boasting a nominal strength of 280,000 members.  ... Leinster United Irishmen recruited in the big drive of 1797 ..."  ("Desperate and Diabolical - Defenders and United Irishmen in Early New South Wales" by Ruan O'Donnell)
Jails of assize Home Circuit April 1797 were reputedly "filled with men charged with Defenderism ... Farrell Cuffe has been found guilty ..." (Saunders Newsletter 26th April 1797). Farrell Cuffe was a teacher in King's County (County Offaly) who was convicted of administering illegal oaths.
The Insurrection Act, introduced in 1796, remained in force for several years. It gave magistrates sweeping powers of search and arrest.
Were the Byrne brothers R.C.? Catholics were allowed to join the British Army from late 18thC.

[ShaunJ]

On the other hand his parents may have sent him into the British Army to keep him out of trouble at home.

On a point of order - the Royal Marines are and were part of the Royal Navy, not the Army.

[Maiden Stone]

Apology to the Royal Marines. The clue is in the name. 
Did the Royal Marines recruit inland in wartime? Did they scour prisons on the lookout for likely young men?

[ShaunJ]

Recruitment poster from the era: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/07/c8/18/07c8182ed75037c07c9a915de9686da1.jpg

[silaswall]

Thank you for the link to the poster. It certainly makes it look very enticing.