2nd Battalion, 20th Foot Regiment (East Devonshire) - action 1860-1890

[Adrian Adcock]

I am trying to track down the service record of my ancestor, John James O'Brien who was born around 1841 in Ireland.  He was active in the Colony of Natal in 1868 when he married his wife, Mary Anne Dare, and is registered in the marriage certificate as Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion of the 20th Foot Regiment.   I cannot find his service number, attestation papers or anything more about him, other than his son Harry Herbert was born in Westmeath Ireland whilst John James was serving in the army there.  John James died in South Africa in 1897.  I believe that he served in the 1879 Zulu Wars but can't confirm that.  Also, whether the regiment had been in Asia before being in South Africa.  Any help would be gratefully received.  Thanks.

[ShaunJ]

Hi Adrian, welcome to Rootschat.

I can see a discharge for 1275 Sergeant John Jas O'Brien of 2 Battalion, 20th Regiment in October 1881 after 21 years service. Also a muster roll reference for him in Mauritius (as an Orderly Room Clerk) in 2Q 1871.

Also Ancestry/Fold 3 has a transcription suggesting his birthplace was Liverpool:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/987851:60917?tid=&pid=&queryId=2cbceb00-21cc-45c5-a7f8-57ba5769a58c&_phsrc=UFX110&_phstart=successSource

[Andy J2022]

The 2nd Battalion was reformed in 1858 just before he enlisted. Here's where they were stationed while he was with the Battalion:
1861    England    
1863    India    
1863    China: Hong Kong    
1864    Japan    served as field artillery
1866    Hong Kong    
1867    Cape Colony    
1870    Mauritius    
1872    Ireland    
1874    England    
1879    Ireland
1881      India
Given that he was discharged in 1881 he may not have travelled to India.
1881 was also the year that the Battalion assumed its new identity (following the Childers reforms) as the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers

[Andy J2022]

Just add to the details Shaun has found,  his actual date of discharge was 11 October, and he served for 21 years and 175 days. From the Chelsea records it looks like he received his pension in Ireland (he has the Chelsea serial number 'Ireland 2097')

[ShaunJ]

He attested in 1860 as John James Brown

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo97%2f1899%2f034%2f001&parentid=gbm%2fwo97%2f1899%2f402856

[Andy J2022]

Good call, Shaun. His military history page confirms that he did not fight in the Anglo-Zulu War, and also didn't go to India with the Battalion in 1881.

[Adrian Adcock]

Hello Shaun and Andy,
This is fantastic detail, I am also so happy to get detail on his service number and date of attestation.  There were many Irish in Liverpool so perhaps it is not surprising that he might have been born there - but I wonder why he would have signed up under the name of Brown and not O'Brien?
I am very grateful and will follow up further with the source links you have provided.
Many thanks
Adrian