96th Regiment 1851

[Westee]

My ancestor served in the 96th Regiment but was court martialled in 1851 in New Zealand for deserting some 6 years earlier.
I have tracked down a reference WO 86/6 which may be the proceedings pertaining to this court martial.  However, I do not know how to access this document.  I sent a message to GRO.UK about a year ago and have never heard back.
Perhaps someone can help me in my pursuit of this document.  I have been told that all the relevant documents pertaining to such a court martial would be help by the regiment back in the UK.
Many thanks

[shume]

Could you please give his name and age

[Westee]

Jas Newton
Born Norwich about 1818-1825

[Westee]

Born Heigham

[Jomot]

WO 86/6 is the Courts Martial Register and is on Fold3, although unfortunately it doesn't give much information.

Jas Newton, 96th Regiment. Tried at Auckland 27 Nov 1851 for Desertion and sentenced to 3-months. 

[Westee]

Even having that is fantastic.  Tks.
3months hard labour I should imagine.   I was expecting a much more harsh sentence.
Is that the extent of the information from Fold3; or would there be any more in the regimental records?

[Neale1961]

Have you looked in the NZ archives?

[Westee]

Yes, and they told me that all the regimental records for this timeframe are in the UK; so I presumed GRO. 
There are some other records for him but this was in relation to events which happened in 1863 during the land wars. 
But I was particularly interested to read any testimony (if there is any record) of him during his 6 yrs period of desertion.    Where he went; who did he live with; and why he gave himself up after all those years - in 1851.  Could be terribly interesting to me as his 3xg/granddau. 

[mckha489]

Nz has

https://www.rootschat.com/links/01svo/

I think you would have to post and see if someone can go to look at the letter.
It might say absolutely nothing!