Author Topic: British Army India  (Read 351 times)

Offline JoN81

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British Army India
« on: Tuesday 01 August 23 11:30 BST (UK) »
Hello. I have a few questions that could help me understand British Soldiers and their family in India.

My Great Grandmother Catherine Ryan, was born in 1883 in Gwalior India to James Ryan and Mary Ryan (maiden name Dullard)  On the birth register, it states James Ryan's profession as Corporal in 4th Rifle Brigade, but no profession for his Wife, Mary. On the 1891 census, I have them living in Gorton Manchester with Mary listed as a midwife.

Could Mary have been working as a midwife in India too? Or was she purely there because James was a soldier there? Was is normal for Soldiers wives to travel with them?

I also have no army records for James Ryan. So any help there would be greatly appreciated too.

Please forgive me if I haven't made much sense. I'm still very new to this.


Offline KGarrad

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 11:37 BST (UK) »
Might be worth looking at Families in British India Society? www.fibis.org
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Offline JoN81

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 11:45 BST (UK) »
Might be worth looking at Families in British India Society? www.fibis.org

Thank you I'll take a look!

Offline Andy J2022

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 12:13 BST (UK) »
Is this the same James Ryan who married a Mary Dullard in Stoke Demeral, Devon in the 3rd quarter 1866?  There are several dozen James Ryans in the British Army in the relevant period so it is going need some additional information about him, such as date  and place of birth, to find the right one. As for your original question about Mary, if she was already a midwife before they went out to India she would probably have carried on her midwifery on an informal basis, but whether she was employed in an Army hospital is another matter.


Offline JoN81

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 12:17 BST (UK) »
Is this the same James Ryan who married a Mary Dullard in Stoke Demeral, Devon in the 3rd quarter 1866?  There are several dozen James Ryans in the British Army in the relevant period so it is going need some additional information about him, such as date  and place of birth, to find the right one. As for your original question about Mary, if she was already a midwife before they went out to India she would probably have carried on her midwifery on an informal basis, but whether she was employed in an Army hospital is another matter.

Hi Andy, yes that will be the same James. Where did you find the marriage record please?

James was born in Pallas Green Limerick in 1844.

Thank you so much for replying.

Offline Andy J2022

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 12:20 BST (UK) »
Marriage registered Stoke Demeral 3rd Qtr 1866 Vol 5B  Page 603

Online ShaunJ

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 14:09 BST (UK) »
Looking at son James's baptism in the RC Chapel at Jhansi in Feb 1881, James the father was then with 1st Battalion of 17th Foot.

Same when daughter Hanora was baptised (Peshawar, 1874).  Also daughter Bridget Maria (Rawal Pindi 1876).
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Online ShaunJ

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 14:25 BST (UK) »
Army file on FindMyPast:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F3792%2F082%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F3792%2F254105

Born Pallasgreen (?), Limerick circa 1845. 17th Foot, number 5233.
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Offline KGarrad

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Re: British Army India
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 01 August 23 14:29 BST (UK) »
Good sleuthing, ShaunJ! ;)
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)