Stations of Regiments mid 1870's (UK)

Ladies and Gents,

I have over the last few years been researching the muster lists of the 24th in order to update/correct the list of those who served in South Africa contained in The Noble 24th by Norman Holmes. I have wanted to correct the omissions and errors of (generally) Regimental prefixes and first names instead of initials. These mostly are of men who joined both Battalions as reinforcements after the first invasion.

I have therefore gone worked through the muster lists of each Regiment and Brigade Depot that supplied men to the 24th Foot. (still a work in progress). There are a small number still to be found and I have come across a few brick walls.

As an example I will use a couple of soldiers from the 105th Regiment. (Please excuse me if this is a bit long winded).

25B/2751 Pte Joseph Burns and 25B/2750 Pte William Horn

I have ascertained that Burns is mentioned in WO 12/9981 Apr/Jun Qtr as number 982 when the 105th were based in Aden, so he is almost certainly a Regimental number 105/982 Horn is mentioned in the same muster list but in the pay Quarter of March 1874  when they returned to England. (On payment from 28/03/1874) From his number (110) I believe he was a Brigade recruit (8B/110) but I need to find his enlistment details.

Since I believe he was 8th Brigade the first place to look is obviously the 8th Bde Depot pay and muster list. However the 7th & 8th Bde Depot lists only start from August 1878 due to the fact their barracks in Pontefract were not completed until then. Therefore, the normal practice was to be on payment of a UK based Infantry Regiment.

Using the Station of Regiments documents WO 379/9 and 379/11 I know that at that time the Depot Companies of the linked 51st and 105th Foot (Later King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) were at Great Yarmouth in December 1872 (Gorleston Bks)? to Norwich May 1873 (Cavalry Bks)? until July 1873 when they arrived at Sheffield (Hillsborough Bks)? where they joined the 105th Foot on its return to England in Mar 1874.

However there does not seem to be a Regiment in Sheffield at that time. So could a Regiment have it's Headquarters in one place and be responsible for Depot Companies elsewhere? Does anyone know or seen any history of Sheffield being an outstation of another area. Will I therefore, (probably) have to check through the individual lists of Regiments based in nearby towns and cities?

Any help or tips would be appreciated,

Bill

Bill,

There are 2 possible options:

1. The Army List (annual/quarterly) - most are now available on-line will give the location of battalions at the top of each regiment's entry together with the list of officers.

2. American has done all the work for you - John M Kitzmiller II in 2 volumes published in 1988 by Manuscript Publishing - ISBN 0961926031 They are called 'In search of the Forlorn Hope'. You can find them on Amazon. I am not sure TNA libary has copies - but there is a set in Brecon.

Kenny,

The TNA does have this book ref: 355.31 in their library. I used it to check who was at Chatham 1870-73 when trying to find the Depot Companies of the 24th before they moved to Brecon. (No luck still).
The problem is it differs to a degree from what 379/11 says. I'm not 100% convinced of it's accuracy.

I have downloaded the 24th Army lists from the National Archives of Scotland so I'll look at 1873 again.

Bill

Bill,

This is from the 1874 Hart’s for 105th, you will see the varying locations:

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JY

Thank you John,

Seems I'll have to look through Regiment by Regiment to see who was in Sheffield or nearby at that time.

Bill

Bill,

This is from the 1873 Hart’s:

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The other option is The Times which published Stations of the Army on a weekly basis, the only thing is all my editions of that newspaper date from 1879.  My local library service used provide access to The Times digital library, I will check later to see if it still available to me.

JY

Thank you John,

I was at TNA today and thankfully found the information I required. The 1873 Hart's gave both the 51st and 105th Depot as attached to the 50th Regt.

So WO 12/6167 50th Regt 1873-74 at Colchester had both Depot's up to 30th September replaced by Depot 97th Regt. In the remarks it had "To pay 95th Regt."

The 95th Regt WO 12/9573 1873-1874 at Manchester initially had the Depot of 49th and 66th Regts to 1st of August when they were attached to the 104th. The 51st/105th Depots were with the 95th from October where I found the enlistment of Pte. Horn.

Bill

Well Done Bill!

JY