Suffolk Regiment records circa 1891

[laroc]

Hello I have just discovered that one of my husbands relatives was in the Suffolk Regiment in 1891 he is listed on the 1891 census as a private aged 19 and living in the "Depot Suffolk Regiment, Newmarket Road Bury Nst Edmunds" his name was George Hurst.
Would the Suffolk Regiment museum or the Suffolk record office have his army records?
If he had been born a bit later I could have perhaps got his army record from documents online.
Many thanks
Carol

[Geoffers]

one of my husbands relatives was in the Suffolk Regiment in 1891 he is listed on the 1891 census as a private aged 19 and living in the "Depot Suffolk Regiment, Newmarket Road Bury Nst Edmunds" his name was George Hurst. Would the Suffolk Regiment museum or the Suffolk record office have his army records? If he had been born a bit later I could have perhaps got his army record from documents online.

His service records will be held at The National Archives (TNA) at Kew.
Do you have any idea when he was discharged? Did he serve in WW1?

If he left the army prior to 1913. You should be able to order his documents from TNA. Start with their catalogue

In the word or phrase field enter - hurst
In the year range enter 1891-1913
In the department or series code enter WO97

You will get four hits. Each hit represents a file held by TNA in which documents are store alphabetically. The hits show the first and lsat names appearing in each file.

Depending on when your chap left the army (if it was before 1914) then his papers will be held in either WO97/3120, WO97/3121 and WO97/5190.

Can you find your chap in the 1901 census? If you can what was his occupation then? If he is still shown as a soldier - or you cannot locate him (he might have been in South Africa), then you will probably find his record in WO97/5190.

Look at the search hits on TNA's catalogue. Under Title/Scope and content, you'll see tht the names are underlined - these are links. Click on the link for WO97/5190 (Hurley J - Hurst J) and you'll see a highlighted button 'Request this' - click on that and fill in the details that you have. If TNA can identify your chaps record, they will send you a quote for copying it; or you can request a copy by digital express.

[laroc]

Hello Geoffers Thankyou for your comprehensive reply to my post, I am sorry I do not know anything about his army life or when he left the army, that was something I am hoping to find out.

I have had a quick look at the 1901 census but can not find him on there soen maybe he was in South Africa at the time or had already left the army.

Is it possible to ask the National archives to search for his army record with out knowing exactly when he left the army?
Many thanks for all your help
Carol

[Geoffers]

Is it possible to ask the National archives to search for his army record with out knowing exactly when he left the army?
Many thanks for all your help

Not really. If he left the army following WW1 then have a look at this information from TNA. - Read the bit about First World War Service Records and then try checking them online.

You don't give a name, so I can't look for you, but also try the WW1 medal card index

If you get no luck with either, try requesting the relevant document via TNA's catalogue.

This link on TNA's site gives research fees

[laroc]

Hi Geoffers
Thanks for that, I did not realise I had not given his name, it was George Hurst, he was born in Wickhambrook, Suffolk to John Hurst and Hannah King in 1870.
Many thanks for all your help.
Carol