Customs Officer in Royal Artillery??!!

[Mhilsden]

Hello everyone!

I am struggling with a couple of inconsistancies in my research. My GGG-grandfather was listed on his daughter's marriege cert. as Staff Sgt Major, RA.
His name was Alexander McMinn. I have a service record (discharge papers) for same, that states he was off to reside in Woolwich. I found him in Woolwich in 1881, as a "Customs House Officer (CS)" in Woolwich Arsenal.

Could there be a connection? Someone told me that there were civillian positions that had army rank???

Can someone please shoot me in the head, and put me out of my misery???|jumphappy

[Peter Goodey]

I have a service record (discharge papers) for same, that states he was off to reside in Woolwich. I found him in Woolwich in 1881, as a "Customs House Officer (CS)" in Woolwich Arsenal.


I'm not sure what the confusion is. From what you say, working for the customs was a retirement job because it was after his discharge.

He was a Customs Officer. CS stands for Civil Service.

[Peter Goodey]

a "Customs House Officer (CS)" in Woolwich Arsenal.

Could this be the source of the confusion? "Woolwich Arsenal" is the name of the sub-district in which he happened to be living. It doesn't say he worked in the Arsenal!

He probably actually worked at the dockyard.

[Mhilsden]

The confusion arises, and I apologise for not being clear at all, is that his daughter married in 1886. He was discharged in 1876, and he was discharged as a Corporal, RA. Yet on the marriege cert, it says he was a Staff Sgt Major, RA.

[Geoffers]

The confusion.....He was discharged in 1876, and he was discharged as a Corporal, RA. Yet on the marriege cert, it says he was a Staff Sgt Major, RA.

Methinks the daughter may have exagerrated things a little to impress her husband's family. People don't always tell the truth.

[Mhilsden]

hee, that thought had occurred to me! Thanks, it's nice to know I'm not entirely mad!

[Neil Wilson]

The confusion arises, and I apologise for not being clear at all, is that his daughter married in 1886. He was discharged in 1876, and he was discharged as a Corporal, RA. Yet on the marriege cert, it says he was a Staff Sgt Major, RA.
Did he re-enlist after the papers you have? Just a thought.

[Mhilsden]

Hi Neil. Yes, another possibility I suppose. But the same man, is listed as a Customs Officer in Woolwich in 1881 census.

I was told by an army researcher that sometimes civillians would work in the army, and have a rank as well. I was really wondering if this was possible.