Private 25B/2185 Owen Salmons alias Martin MacNamara? 1/24th

Well as I did not get banished from the forum after my last effort, thought I would chance it with another.

The Noble 24th has the following:

Salmons, O. 2185, Private
Transferred to 80th Regiment. Died 14/7/1881, cause not stated. South Africa Medal with clasp 1879; returned to Woolwich 19/7/1881

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Shrewsbury Chronicle 19/12/1879

I have a little more detail. A Martin MacNamara was born Q3 1854 Shrewsbury.
There is a record from 1870 from Stafford for a Martin MacNamara, occupation Slater, aged 17, date of warrant 26/07/1870, received into custody 27/07/1870, for a crime of feloniously demanding with threats and menace, certain money from William Silvester, on the 18th July 1870, at Stone, with intent to steal the same. Tried 18/10/1870 and found guilty of felony after a previous conviction of felony (relating to offences in 1866), sentenced to seven years penal servitude, subject to the supervision of the police, in persuance of the 32nd & 33rd Vic., c.99, for a period of seven years, commencing from this date, and exclusive of the time during which he is undergoing his punishment.

The 1871 census shows Martin MacNamara in Millbank Prison, Westminster, London, details - born 1854, age 17, born Stone, Staffordshire. He was subsequently transferred to Chatham Prison 03/03/1876, sentence expires 16/10/1877.

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archive Service: Staffordshire County Records Office - This resource holds two records that may have some extra details regarding HMP Stafford they are as follows:

a. 1878-1911: admission and discharge registers, governor's and chaplain's journals, visitor books, photo albums, Ref. D5112
b. 1876-1899: prisoner photograph albums, Ref. 6957

If Salmons/MacNamara served his sentence in HMP Stafford as inferred by the article, there is a good chance he will be recorded and possibly photographed. The records above are not available at TNA and are not on findmypast, I cannot comment on Ancestry. At this time these records are unavailable due to the current move/consolidation of various records into a new purpose built facility which is expected to open before the end of the year.

I hope somebody finds this useful/interesting.

Regards
Dash

Clyde - Pay & Muster Roll - gives transfer to 24th Foot from 38th Foot.

Kenny,

Thank you for those details, will add to my spreadsheet.

Regards
Dash

From 38th Regt 19B/1223 to 24th, he actually transferred back to the 38th Regiment, becoming 19B/2240 transferring to their Depot in August 1880 I believe before they went to Malta. Holmes not far out, 38th = 1st Bn South Staffordshire, 80th= 2ndBn South Staffordshire.

Have not seen pay-list of that Depot at that time so cannot confirm death.

Bill,

Thank you once again.

There is something about the whole thing that I find strange. He (if report is accurate) gets locked up for three weeks in December 1879 whilst on furlough - which if the same as Phelan was possibly six weeks in duration - potentially under the name MacNamara, and then what simply returns to the 24th under the name Salmons! and keeps quiet?

The chat in the barrack would be of interest, what did you do on furlough, nothing not a damn thing!

Regards
Dash

Yes 42 days furlough listed. No time in prison, military or civilian. Looks like he got away with it.