Irish in the Army

[Mary C]

My g-g- grandfather, Michael Geraghty (Gaugharty, Garrity, etc.) was born in Longford, Ireland in 1811. In 1841 he was a Private in the Light Infantry 3rd Dragoons stationed at Loughborough Barracks. By 1861 he was a Chelsea Pensioner in Bristol.

I am wondering how he came to join the British Army. Was it common for Irish men (both Catholics and Protestants) to do this? Would he have joined in Ireland or gone to England to do so?

If anyone is going to the Records Office, I would be so grateful if they could look up his record. I'd also like to find out the surname of his wife Sarah, also his actual birthplace.

Thanks
Mary

[Peter Goodey]

Could this be your man?

WO 97/52/2
1827-1853
Scope and content MICHAEL GAUGHERTY
Born TEMPLE MICHAEL, Longford
Served in 3rd Dragoon Guards; 27th Foot Regiment
Discharged aged 42

If so, you simply need to order a copy it from the National Archives.

He joined the British Army because it was the only army he could join! Ireland did not become independent until after the first world war.

Try the military registers for his marriage (available at 1837online).

[Mary C]

Many thanks for this Peter. It is definitely him -birthplace and regiment are the same. He would have joined up when he was only 16 years. I will now see if I can find his marriage.

Regards
Mary

[Peter Goodey]

I think you'll find something interesting in his service record (WO 97/52/2). If you're not sure how to order a copy, just shout.

[Mary C]

Hi Peter - I'm shouting!!!

How do I go about getting a copy of his record?

I now have information on the family in 1851 when he was stationed at Hulme Lancashire, and he must have been posted to Ireland in 1845 as I've discovered he had a daughter born there. I still have not been able to discover his wife's 'maiden' name or their marriage. Would this be on his service record?

Thanks for your help
Mary

[Peter Goodey]

"How do I go about getting a copy of his record?"

Very simple!

Go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ and from the menu, select 'Shop Online' and then 'Order Copies of Documents'. You can get the copy on almost any medium you care to mention, including via Documents Online!

[Geoffers]

I still have not been able to discover his wife's 'maiden' name or their marriage. Would this be on his service record?If he married in the army then details are likely to be included in his service record. However, you may also try searching the following indices for details of marriage and children:

Index to Army Chaplains' returns of births; and marriages; and deaths 1796-1880
Indexes to Regimental Registers of Births 1761-1924

These can be seached online using a pay-per-view site 1837 online.
If you find a reference which is of use, you can order the relevant certificate via the GRO.

Using the PROCAT reader http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/search.asp
you might find he had a brother in the army too.

Geoffers

[Mary C]

To Peter and Geoffers - Many thanks for the information. I will now follow this up and see what I can find.
Cheers
Mary

[Mary C]

Hi Geoffers - I obtained the service record of Michael Gaugherty from the National Archives. Unfortunately it doesn't give me very much information - not really worth the cost! It didn't tell me his exact date of birth, his religion, where he was posted during his service or, more importantly, details of his marriage.

You suggested looking at the Index to Army Chaplains' returns of births; and marriages; and deaths 1796-1880 or Indexes to Regimental Registers of Births 1761-1924 via 1837 online but I cannot find this on their site - only the post 1837 BMDs (the same as on the freeBMD site)

How do I find these Indexes?

Thanks
Mary

[Peter Goodey]

"I cannot find this on their site "

They are in the series labelled "WW1, WW2 and overseas BMDs"

[Mary C]

Thanks Peter. I have found it.

Mary