Genealogy Chat

Can anyone advise me on how I research my gt. grandfathers military service? On his marriage cert. the address is 103 regiment Newport Barracks. I have been told he spent a lot of time in India.I have been given a photograph of him and he has 4 medals on his coatHas anyone heard of the 103 regiment? I believe he joined about 1861 and I know he left it about 1875. I would be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction please. Gwyn

have you tried searching for 103 regiment in google?

2nd May 1861 1st Royal Bombay Fusiliers 30th Sept 1862 103rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Bombay Fusiliers) transferred to British Army This suggests he was originally employed by the East India Company.

Now why did`nt I think of that!! Thanks Willow.

Oh thank you Paul!! regards Gwyn

where did you find that Paul? im looking for something similar for the 22nd regiment

It's part of the Family History in India website, which is designed to help people trace their British and European ancestry in colonial India. This particular web page is a list of officers of the 101st to 108th Regiments of Foot, which were raised in Bengal, Bombay and Madras from former HEIC Army units. The details were extracted from Hart's Army List of 1873 by Jill Grey. http://members.ozemail(.)com.au/~clday/index.html [Remove brackets]

Willow, are you referring to the 22nd (Cheshire) regiment? If so you should start with the Cheshire Military museum website: http://www.chester.ac.uk/militarymuseum/

Thank you Paul but I don`t think he was an officer, and his name is not among the names you have given. When you say he may have been employed by the East India Co. I don`t quite understand that bit. Incidently he was not welsh , he came from Staple in Kent. Gwyn

Hi Paul Yes it is, I have bookmarked the site, thanks for that.

Quite often soldiers swapped regiments in India the 1837 army overseas births show that my grandfather and his brothers births were registered in the 70th foot registers But when I got the certificates their father was in the 108th .Madras reg In 1881 it became the 2nd batt Inniskillin fus Likewise the103 Royal Bombay Fus became the 2nd batt Royal Dublin fus Bren

Scarlett, sorry for the delay in replying - we had a bite to eat and then I fell asleep for 5 hours!!! I'd like to think it was the warm weather rather than old age!!! Anyway, re the East India Company, it was the most bizarre organisation in that it acted like a sovereign power. With the full backing of the British government it had powers to raise armed forces in India.Your ancestor's regiment transferred from the East India Company to the British army during his time of service.

Thank you Bren and Paul,much appreciated. Gwyn

Try this site it is very helpful if you have family members who have served in India http://valmayukuk.tripod.com/ British India family history Gwen

Thanks Gwen, I have booked marked it! Gwyn

You may even find his Army records on the National Archives site.You can order a copy thro them if you do. Shirley