Genealogy Chat

Hi

My ancestor Thomas Roberts was a Private in the 17th Lancers from 1831 to October 1856 when aged in his mid 40s he was discharged in Dublin, Ireland. From April 1854 to May 1856 the 17th Lancers was fighting out in India then later Turkey during the Crimean War before returning to Ireland in May 1856 and my ancestor was discharged that October. Before 1854 the Lancers hadnt been out of England or Ireland for 30 years.

But what baffles me is that his 1856 medical examination on his discharge documents say he was "never abroad", yet the Lancers had only returned from Indian and the Middle East a few months previous. Does this mean that only selected soldiers in a regiment were called to fight abroad in the Crimean War, and if so were some privates in regiemnts not allowed to go for some reason?

Any suggestions please?

Ben

I can't really answer your question but in any regiment I'm sure there are always sections that stay in this country whilst others go abroad. I wouldn't think there was anything strange about that.

Kath. x

Ben

I have to say this does seem a little unusual, he was a 'career' soldier so I would have thought he'd been overseas at some stage.

Usually the medical section of the discharge papers give a real insight into conditions, locations dates etc. Does it have his name and number on the top? I take it you got the record from Kew - I know what the boxes are like - could the medical page be miss-filed?

Have you looked at medal or muster rolls for the crimea to see if he was listed?

Often there was more than 1 battalion, so whilst say the 1st served abroad, the 2nd served at home. Muster rolls would answer your question. They're really interesting, if time-consuming to look at!

Hi

The Army discharge records say that he was No 377 Private Thomas Roberts. The medical report is within the discharge documents and it definately says "never abroad" though.

I havent yet looked at medal or muster rolls for the Crimea, where can I obtain these?

He was given good conduct pay throughout his career in the Army and it was increased on the 6th dec 1850, and the 6th Dec 1852, 1854 and 1855.

Ben

Due to a medical condition he would not be sent abroad even in times of war as he could have been a burden to his fellow soldiers

You said in your thread that his regiment never served abroad before 1854 so he had already served 25 years and was past his best at the time his regiment served overseas

Roy

Hi Roy

Thanks for that, it would make sense as he was about 41 in 1854 and upon his discharge in 1856 it says he was physically unfit for further service.

Ben

Ben

The 17th Lancers were involved in the Charge of the Light Brigade?!?!? IF (big if) he as involved (he's very fortunate to come out alive, it should be fairly easyish to find him as this is an extreamly well documented battle.

Kew is the place to visit - WO100/24 is the reference for the Medal Rolls for the cavalry (both heavy & light).

Have a look at the TNA web site
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

There are load of sites about the Crimea
http://www.britishbattles.com/crimean-war/balaclava.htm