Colour Sergeant and his ever expanding family query

[leemeetee]

Hi all.....am researching a Colour Sergeant in 2nd Worcester Regiment. Have traced that the first four of his children were all born and lived at various barracks where he was based. When nos 5 & 6 were born the family were living in a house near the Barracks. Haven't manged to find out where they were lving when 7, 8 and 9 were born!!! Would move from Barracks have been due to 1) modest pay increase following promotion to Colour Sergeant 2) barracks simply not big enough for such a family or a combination of the two?
All suggestions and advice welcome.

[CaroleW]

What timescale? 

[Andy J2022]

It would be helpful to know when this was and any details of his location, etc. If we are talking about the nineteenth century, there were enormous differences in the barrack accommodation between say, Napoleonic times, and the other end of the century, the 1890s. In addition to the Regular 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment, from 1881 to 1908 there was also a 2nd (Volunteer) Batallion which was only ever stattioned at home. Are you sure which battalion he was with?

[fiddlerslass]

Part of this podcast about the background of soldier's daughter Annie Chapman, victim of "Jack the Ripper", describes what it was like for a family living in barracks in the Victorian era.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0h2s0qh?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

[leemeetee]

Apologies guys for the confusion I caused....
Born 1850 to 52. Served in 36th Foot
Pembroke Dock: 1878
Fleetwood: 1879 - 81
Bantry, Ireland: 1881 - 82 ....36th was now 2nd Batt. Worcester Reg.
Wexford, Ireland: 1882 - 1889....serving as Colour Sergeant in Royal Irish
Possibly retired from Army to Wigan

[Andy J2022]

Pembroke Dock was a much older Napoleonic fort (see image here), where the families lived in the same barrack rooms as the single men. Sergeants and Colour Sergeants had their own accommodation and since many of the senior non commissioned officers were married, it is likely that the married families were grouped together and the single SNCOs were in other barrack rooms.
Euston Barracks Fleetwood was not built until about 1862. The land had been acquired in 1860 and the accommodation was initially in wooden huts. A very poor view of the barracks can be found here. With these newer build barracks, separate accommodation was provided for the limited number of married families who were on the strength of the Regiment. This accommodation was often small (two up/two down) terraced houses within the barrack perimeter. The families of soldiers who were not 'on the strength' had to find their own local accommodation. The best way to find out if your man was on the strength is to look at the muster rolls for the period held at TNA.  If he was living out of barracks he would not have been charged for his rations.   

[leemeetee]

Many thanks Andy for all your help...I'm particularly thrilled to get the link to the photos. Really appreciate it.

[Wexflyer]

OP says Wexford 1882-1889.
Does this mean Wexford town, or county?

The infantry barracks in Wexford town was the base for the Wexford militia. Not a location with a permanent British military presence at that period to the best of my knowledge, apart from a small cadre of training staff attached to the militia. Typically senior NCOs, such as color sergeants, and drawn from the Royal Irish Regiment, which fits.
So, if he was based in Wexford, he would have had the place pretty much to himself most of the time.
https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15505082/wexford-infantry-barrack-barrack-street-townparks-st-michaelsof-feagh-pr-wexford-wexford

On the other hand, there was always a permanent British army presence in Duncannon Fort.
https://duncannonfort.ie/

[leemeetee]

Thanks to all who responded and helped.
It is very much appreciated.