Genealogy Chat

Hi I went to Kew to look up info on my gt-uncle. I had his name and regiment and DoB. That was enough at Kew. Because the family name is unusual (CHRISTMAS), I also found the record of his younger brother, my grandfather, for which I hadn't been looking (but took the opportunity to see). Had I looked for my grandfather's on the basis of the regiment info I had, I shouldn't have found him because he saw active service with a different regiment earlier in the war and I hadn't known about that. It's best to have as much info as poss, but how much is essential will depend upon how common the surname is. What you will need to be aware of is that something like 60% of WW1 records were lost to a WW2 bombing raid. good hunting Christine

Hello, Marion Have you looked at the medal cards on Documents Online? I don't know whether you can apply for the actual medals, but you can find out which ones he was eligible for - assuming the surname starts with T or earlier in the alphabet. If you go to the site you'll see how far they've got. Christine

Marion It all depends what year you are talking about re Kew and soldiers records. You can look up any records at Kew for approx 1700's to 1922 for soldiers/sailors records but pre 1875 approx they are not indexed so you will need a lot of patience. I suggest you download the leaflets on Army from TNA www.nationalarchives.com and this will answer most of the queries that you have. Post approx 1875 they are indexed and easier to find. Pre 1875 the Regiment is the most important piece of info that you will need as it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack if you do not have that info for the pre 1875 soldiers. Janet

Marion You are going to be into Boer War and 1WWar info for your years of interest and many ordinary soldiers records were burnt during 2 W War. Officers Records are fairly complete. Provided he came out of army before 1922 then Kew is the place to look, but if he "disappeared" or was after 1922 then these records are still with MOD in Glasgow and will only be released to next of kin on payment of £25. Don't forget to look for pension details as well as attestation details. Good hunting. Great place Kew, never enough time to do what you want to do !! Janet

Hi Karen I have just emailed you. But for those people who may find this info of some use to them, I will put on here too. I have just come back from Aldershot Library, they have an extensive range of military books (over 17,000) This is what I have found out about Karen's G-G-Granddad's regiment. Records of the Second Battalion XX Regiment The Second Battalion of the XX Regiment, was formed from the 3rd March, 1858. Establishment 1126 of all ranks. On the12th May 1858, the battalion, under the command of Major Cormick, were inspected at Clonmel, by Major-General Eden C. B. commanding the Cork division, who was pleased to express his high opinion of the general appearance of the men, and the cleanliness of the barrack rooms. On the 25th August 1858 the battalion under the command of Major Cormick, proceeded by rail from Clonmel to Waterford to be stationed. The battalion preceded by rail, from Waterford to Kilkenny and arriving at Tralee on the 24th September 1858. The battalion under the command of Lt-Colonel Radcliffe, preceded by rail to Curragh Camp, to the Royal Barracks, Dublin on the 1st November 1859 to be stationed. The battalion proceeded in two divisions by rail on 2nd May 1861, embarked at the North Wall on the same day to board the steamers “ Preussicher Adler” under the command of Lt-Colonel W P Radcliffe, and “Juverna” under the command of Major W.D.S Dickens for Bristol. Arriving at Aldershot on on the 3rd May 1861 there to be stationed. On the 12th June 1863, Lt-Colonel H. R Brown, was appointed to the command of the 2nd Battalion XX Regement. Vice Lt-Colonel W.P. Radcliffe retired on temporary half-pay. The battalion embarked at Portsmouth in three divisions, for service in Bengal, in the “St Lawrence” arriving in Calcutta on 11th November 1963. The “Confilct” arriving 29th October 1863, The “Blenheim” arriving in Calcutter on 19th November 1863. The battalion re-embarked for service in China on 20th & 21st November 1863 leaving a small detachment, with the women and children at Dum Dum (East Indies) Disembarked at Hong Kong on 9th December 1863. and was quarted at Kowloon. The right wing in huts, the left, under canvas.

Isn't Sandra wonderful ! I don't know how to thanks her. Big hugs to you Sandra!! I wonder if I have any relatives born in Dum Dum !!?? LOL thanks again

This is excellent BACKGROUND reading for the BATTALLION but is not actually telling you where your soldier is! The only way to find out EXACTLY where your soldier was is to go through the MUSTER Records at the National Archives. There are musters for each month of each year and it does take a lot of time to work through them. In my case parts of my soldier's battallion were in the East Indies but I did not find him in the East Indies bcause his part of the regiment was in Ireland!! He was named in each month as to exactly where in Ireland. If your soldier is not named on the muster then he is elsewhere, and he may even have changed regiments, as mine had done three times in all. Sadly there is NO quick way around the records. Janet