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The surname Bands is not to be confused with the plural of Band. It is a rare name with not many places to look for information. Legend has it the Bands were originally Reid. Two brothers Cameron & Robert Reid fought at Culloden in 1746 for Prince Charlie and where on the losing side. They fled to Ireland where it is believed Cameron changed his name to Bands. This has not been easy to prove and I have hit a wall in 1801. I have managed to trace our Bands back to a William Bands, born in Stirling, Stirlingshire Scotland. He was a Nailer by profession when he joined the 78th Regiment of Edinburgh on the 30 December 1818 at the age of 17 years five months and 5 days. (Born about August 1801). He later transferred to the 42nd Royal Highlanders of Foot (Black Watch). He married a Margaret? date unknown. While with the 42nd on a tour of duty in Gibraltar, three sons where born: William Patrick Bands 1827 James 1830 Richard Bands 1831 William Bands (Senior) took pension in 1837 due to ill health. It appears he must have died shortly afterwards as Richard is found in The Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea in the 1841 Census. Richard was admitted to the Asylum on the 30/01/1840 aged 8 and was discharged 26/05/1845 to the Buckinghamshire Army Volunteers the 85th Regiment of Foot. William (Junior) had enlisted in the army on 8 July 1836 with the Buckinghamshire Army Volunteers the 85th Regiment of Foot before his father took Pension. In the 1851 Census the Bands brothers are in the 85th at Fulwood Barracks in Manchester. William is married to Rebbecca, with two children William aged 2 and Edward 1 month. William (Junior) had 4 children while with the 85th: William Bands 1848 Waterford Edward Bands 1850 Roscrea, Ireland Mary J Bands 1852 Portsmouth, England Richard Bands 1854 Mauritius The Bands brothers took discharge from the 85th in South Africa during the 85th tour of duty, William on the 30 September 1857 and Richard on the 14 July 1862. Both went on to be goalers in South Africa. I have given this information as the parish records in South Africa indicate birth of William’s (Jnr) family was in Fort Beaufort, Cape Of Good Hope, South Africa. William’s son William went on to marry Ann Lloyd a descendant of the South African 1820 settlers. What I don’t know is where the family went to after the death of William (Senior), also are there any Bands out there with a Stirling, (Scottish) or Irish connection.