Genealogy Chat

His Army record if it has survived should give you the year and place of birth and might mention next of kin. It will be at the National Archives. His first and/or last entry in the Muster rolls should also give place of birth if his papers haven't survived.

It is very unlikely that you will be able to track his Irish background.When my grandfather enlisted for the army in1881 in India he was 14 at the time, his papers show that he was born in India in1867, his father was deceased and his mother and brother were with the regiment
It is very difficult to trace Irish records
the 51st regiment was a yorkshire regiment which later was formed into the 105th regiment and comprised of the 2nd Madras Light infantry and the2nd Yorkshire Kings own LI
The muster and pay books are held at the National Archives in WO 12 1862 -1877 9968- 9984 Births and marriages are covered for the years 1836-1913
sorry thev first ref I gave you was for the 3rd madras and the Inniskilling fusiliers
Hope this is of some use to you

JOHN PATRICK DONNELLY and CATHERINE CONNOLLY
I am trying to trace my great great grandfather (and grandmother). We know quite a lot about him but cannot trace his family in Ireland. He was John Patrick Donnelly born around 1823 in Ireland. We think he was baptised in parish of Clandalkin Dublin. He joined the Army on 7 Nov 1838, was a pensioner guard in the 51st Regiment in Dublin Ireland and served 17 years mostly abroad in the East Indies. He left UK on 6 May 1865 and arrived in Australia on 15 Aug 1865 on "Racehorse" with his new wife Catherine (nee Connolly born around 1836). They settled in Australia and had 4 children. Can I track his Irish background through his army record?
Pat Donnelly
Perth Western Australia