MC Ellice

Thanks Stuart. You must like searching! Yes, I had found the Brisbane BDM - in fact that is the launch pad for the enquiry, as that is why we found out he was a Captain in the 19th Hussars. Interestingly he is buried under Lang Park (Suncorp) Stadium - where the State of Origin matches are played. Yes, I suspected that the Army service records would not have much value trying to find out who he actually was - although it will probably explain why he was never in a census!! I cannot find him any at all. I also haven't found his birth record either, but I have only looked at what is available online. He may even have been born overseas whilst his father was posted somewhere or other.

Thanks Peter and Stuart for your replies. It is amazing what little snippets of info turn up in the newspaper. I hadn't seen the English newspapers online before - so this is really useful.

Stuart, thanks for that info (yes, you guessed the right person). He actually died in 1872, which presumably means he was on half pay till his death. Why would someone be on half pay? Would it be a pension or something similiar? I know that he travelled to Brisbane in early 1871 from England (pre-census date - bother), as I found him listed in the newspaper shipping arrivals. It also apears he died intestate in Brisbane. I assume if the British Forces had left Aust by then, it would have been private business and nothing to do with the Army. If he was on half pay, and if it was a pension - would he have a record that I could access somewhere. I would love to know if his family would have received a pension or anything when he died (if they did, and if there was a record I might be able to confirm them as actually being his family). I am aware there are various records that might be available (eg. I know there is a record of enlistment which I found listed as being available from LDHS microfiche) and I have identified that there are some records in the British National Archives, but I am unsure how I could access them without visiting London (I am in Aust). Do you know anything about obtaining this type of info, and is it likely to be useful to family research? MC Ellice

Thanks, that probably explains it - wasn't sure if they kept it. I would say he did have the wandering foot and may have been seeking a new life (or may have been sent out by his family as I suspect he was the black sheep of the family!!). As for the humour, it is probably bang on correct! - the thing is I don't think he was married and my suspicion is he might have been the father of only 1 of his children!! Especially as child 4 was born several years after his death!!! My suspicious brain suggests it was convenient to use the surname! I would just love to prove that he really was the father as he had an amazingly well known and succesful family!

I am researching an ancestor who was a Captain in the 19th Hussars from 1862 - 1872. Prior to that he was in the 1st Bengal European Cavalry. I have found some info that indicates that this unit was stationed in Bengal or Meerut (is that in Bengal) from before 1863 till 1870. He later died in Brisbane, Australia - his death certificate says he was a capt in the 19th Hussars, but I can't work out whether he was still in the Army at that stage or if he had been discharged. Is it likely that members of the unit would have been stationed in Brisbane - acting as the police force perhaps? Also, I am wondering how often and how long he may have had leave in England. His family were not stationed with him in Bengal, and I am just wondering how he managed to be the father of 3 children if he was OS!! Does anyone have any suggestions where I could go to get more info.