Liverpool Regiment 1885, Ireland

[Malm55]

Hi All
I am trying to find any military info on a HENRY OTTER (George Henry), who died in 1885 at Curragh Camp Nass, Kildare. I have the details of his death, his age is quoted as 35, but in 1882 he married a FANNY COOK in Bradford age given 39. Father was William. Unable to ascertain year and place of birth to move forward.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[ShaunJ]

His army records haven't survived (as he died in service his records would have been destroyed) but there are a few snippets of information.

The Kings Liverpool Regiment was previously (pre-1881) the 8th Regiment of Foot.

The 1871 British Army index lists a Private H Otter number 1629 1st Battalion, 8th Regt in Nusserabad, India.

He must have returned to the British Isles shortly after that because there is a record of him embarking for India again in Cork on 28 October 1873. Age 30 years and 2 months so born around August 1843. Enlisted 23 August 1866.

[ShaunJ]

In April 1881 his battalion was based in Manchester so it's likely that he is the soldier at the Infantry Barracks in Salford in the 1881 census: aged 38, born Ashton-u-Lyne.

[Andy J2022]

The 1st Battalion The King's (Liverpool) Regt were stationed in Bradford between January and August 1882. In September 1882 they moved to Cork, and by January 1885 they were at the Curragh. They remained at the Curragh until the end of October 1885 then moved to Dublin where they remained until they went to Bermuda in the West Indies in 1891. So presumably he died before November 1885.

[Malm55]

Hi Shaun J
Thank you very much for that information regarding HENRY, I think the info about his death in 1885 (suicide) stating age of 35 must be incorrect and in fact he was born in 1843 not 1850. I will check through the censuses.
Thanks for your help.

[Malm55]

Thanks for that info Andy, it all ties in with the other details I have, HENRY died of self inflicted wounds on 28 February 1885 at Curragh Camp.
He married a Fanny Cook on 17 July 1882 at Bradford Holy Trinity, this fits in with your details.

[ShaunJ]

Weekly Irish Times, 7 March 1885

[Malm55]

Thanks Shaun for the newspaper piece, which explains exactly what happened to HENRY, I am unable to find any birth info for a HENRY in 1843 in Ashton Under Lyne, do you think it’s possible that HENRY’S father was also in the army and stationed at Ladysmith Barracks Ashton U Lyne and the birth maybe was not registered in the normal manner. I think HENRY’S father was a William.
Thanks

[ShaunJ]

The fact that we can't find a birth for him, nor can he be found in the 1851 or 1861 censuses, suggests that something might not be quite right; whether it be his name (did he adopt an alias?), his birthplace, or his father's name, or all three.

Just flagging this baptism for possible future reference:

20 Sep 1845 St John, Preston, Lancashire, England
John Henry Otter - [Child] of Henry Otter & Jane
    Abode: Water Lane Ends
    Occupation: Sapper & Miner