Identifying a battalion / regiment in the 1921 census?

[AdrianB38]

Historical background for Rhaniket and Chaubattia: ...

So at least I know the correct spelling, thanks! (As correct as one can be with English variations on India themes...)

[ALAMO2008]

The SWB were in India between the Wars

https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/south-wales-borderers

[AdrianB38]

...
Research the other names on the same census page. Some will have served in WW1.

Hmm. Interesting.

So far only one of those names looks helpful - Albert Stopgate. The 1911 and 1921 censuses show only 1 chap of that name of military age, so the guy on the 1921 of that name (Albert Stopgate, 23y 11m, b Cwmbran) must surely be the guy of that name in the Medal Index Cards:
S Wales Borderers 23476
Bedford R 43673
S Wales Borderers 80291

Albert is the only "single name" so far - one or two of the others match names in the SWB but I'm in danger of confirmation bias since there are several MICs for each of those names in different regiments.

The Monthly Army Lists for July and December 1921 show the 2nd Battalion SWB at Jhansi. Not sure that's helpful in that Jhansi isn't a place in the TNA Catalogue description of RG 15/28121, the 1921 census piece in question.

So now I'm wondering if S Wales Borderer 82331 Purcell Charles H might actually have been him... He seems a bit young to have accumulated 3 different numbers for a Medal Index Card but who knows?

I suspect I'll have to park this until the SWB's records get to Kew...

Thanks for the ideas guys.

[jonwarrn]

The Monthly Army Lists for July and December 1921 show the 2nd Battalion SWB at Jhansi. Not sure that's helpful in that Jhansi isn't a place in the TNA Catalogue description of RG 15/28121, the 1921 census piece in question.

From the army birth returns, a 2nd Bn. South Wales Borderers birth.
Sybil Catherine born 13 Oct 1921, at British Station Hospital, Jhansi
Father Walter D Arcy (I think D'Arcy), who was a C.S.M., mother Sarah Ann (Lowe)
The Officer registering the birth was O.M. Wales, Capt. Adjt. 2nd S. W. Borderers.

Could Walter be the Walter Daisy born 1895, Egypt, at Chaubattia in the 1921 free index?
I notice there is some poor transcribing of the less common surnames going on here.
Putting Company Sergeant Major in keyword search also brings Walter Daisy up.

Also using Chaubattia as a keyword we get Owen Murton Wales, born 1895, Pontypridd, Glamorganshire. Presumably that's the O M Wales on the cert.

[jonwarrn]

Going back to 1920
Walter D'Arcy at Jhansi again
This time the birth was of another daughter, Eileen Mary, born 16 Feb.
Also George Patrick McDonnell and his wife Beatrice May, nee Cooper, had a son John born 19 October 1920, at the British Station Hospital, Jhansi.
George was Private 3902017, 2nd South Wales Borderers.
Officer registering both births was V. B. Ramsden, Bt. Major Adjutant, 2nd South Wales Borderers.

Where are the wives to be found in 1921?

[ShaunJ]

Where are the wives to be found in 1921?

As I understand it, only the service personnel serving overseas were enumerated, not their accompanying families.

[jonwarrn]

Thanks, Shaun.
I am surprised at that (though less so now, having failed to find any!)

[ALAMO2008]

Re: Albert Stopgate SWB then Bedfordshire Regt
Btns of the Bedfordshire Regt appear to have been disbanded in 1920 while in India
Hence his returning to the SWB 1920
And on 1921 Census with them.