age of enlistment

[blue eyes]

Wondering at what age is required to enlist. My gt grandfather is in the army on the 1871 census his year of birth is 1848 regiment unknown (he had left the army by 1879). I'm hoping by whittling it down to a time scale that it wont be such a thankless task looking through the munster books/payroll if thats possible.

Julie

[Peter Goodey]

Wondering at what age is required to enlist.He could have gone in as a boy at age 12 ;)

But the big problem is not the date of enlistment - it's his regiment and to some extent when he was discharged.

Have another look at the 1871 census and check again whether you can work out the regiment. Was he in barracks? Have you looked at the institution description?

Have you got all the BMD certificates that might possibly show his regiment?

If you can't determine his regiment, just the branch of the army would be good (ie cavalry, infantry, artillery etc).

Your first step in investigating his military career will be to get hold of his discharge papers (WO 97). 1855-1872: filed by regiment; 1873-1882: filed by branch.

Unfortunately, for this sort of period, finding discharge papers is going to be a bit iffy unless he was discharged to pension.

[blue eyes]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your for your reply. The only info I have that he is in the army listed as a solider at Milton Barracks, Gravesend, Kent on the 1871, cant find him on the 1861 nor his family so cant check that. But in the meantime will have another look at the census.

Thanks

Julie

[Peter Goodey]

See this:

http://www.57regtraclub.com/id10.html

It says that at the time of the 1871 census, the barracks housed:

Royal Marine Light Infantry;
Royal Welsh Fusiliers;
1st Royals (ie the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot, I think).

Possibly a clue.

[Mutley]

I think they were able to lie about their ages when they joined. I know some of mine did.

I also think that the 1st Battn, Royal West Kent Regiment was based in Milton Barracks Gravesend at about that time.

http://www.the-queens-own-buffs.com/main_pages/Queens/Mainpage_queens.html

It's as good as any other to try :)

[blue eyes]

Thanks Peter and Mutley for your replies will look into it. Put both the links onto favourites so I dont lose them. Like the music Peter.

Julie

[Peter Goodey]

What was his name?

[blue eyes]

Hi Peter,

His name is Daniel Kite. On the census its spelt Danl (transcribed by Ancestry)

Julie

[Peter Goodey]

I haven't got time to look myself now. Perhaps someone else might like to see if they can make any sense of Danl KITE in Milton Barracks near Gravesend in 1871.

It's not so much his entry that's important as who he's with - who were the NCOs and officers listed before him in the enumeration book.

[blue eyes]

Thanks Peter,

Glad someones got their common sense head on.

Julie

[Mutley]

OK,
Daniel Kite is on page 5, Line 11
He is aged 23 born Sheerness.

Ref: Class: RG10; Piece: 894; Folio: 13; Page: 5

On Page 1 is an officer of the 1/19th Foot.
Writing is very scrawly and I don't understand the ranks beyond private and Sergeant.

Have to go now but will look further soon.

Oh!! Just noticed a much older Daniel Kite in the Melville Hospital and Royal Marine Infirmary. Born 1795 and aged 76. A relation????
Class: RG10; Piece: 912; Folio: 70; Page: 5;


Also these on Ancestry:

Daniel Kite John,
Amy abt 1864 Wormshill, Kent, England Son Wormshill Kent

Daniel Kite abt 1847 Tavistock, Devon, England Soldier East Stonehouse Devon

Daniel Kite Emily abt 1822 Swade, Kent, England Head St Pancras London

Daniel Kite Daniel,
Emily abt 1853 Minster, Kent, England Son St Pancras London

Daniel Kite Jane abt 1833 Wormshill, Kent, England Head St John The Evangelist Sussex

Must g, expecting a UK phone call, will be back later, let me know what you want further.

Mutley, I don't believe it the server is too busy, damm!!!

[Peter Goodey]

The guy enumerated next to Daniel Kite in 1871 was a William J KITCHEN born London Middlesex abt 1851.

Coincidence perhaps but on the 1881 census a William Jno KITCHEN born London Middlesex abt 1852 is listed on HMS Flora as a Private RMLI.

According to the history of the barracks, a contingent of the Royal Marine Light Infantry were indeed at Milton Barracks in 1871.

If you have to resort to guessing what regiment Daniel Kite was in, I'd suggest that it might be worth running with the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

[blue eyes]

Thanks again Mutley and Peter. I did have another look at the census and the writing is scawly. I never thought of looking on the next census for any of the others, just shows you what you can find.

My Daniels parents are Ambrose and Mary he was born Sheerness, Sheppey. So have his birth, mariage and death details.

Many thanks,

Julie