Pensioner?

[Clarinetguy]

Going through the 1871 census for Coates, Cambridgeshire (Whittlesey District 9) on page 22 I have come across a Christ. Hart who is given as (if I am reading it correctly) Pensioner and Agricultural Labourer yet he was only 39 at the time. Is that likely/possible?

[Coromandel]

It looks like he had an army pension: Findmypast in its 'British Army Service Records' collection has records for a Christopher Hart, born about 1832 in Whittlesea. These are from the Chelsea pension records at the National Archives (ref. WO 97).

[Peter Goodey]

In those days "pensioner" would almost always imply "army pensioner", usually described as "Chelsea pensioner".

[Clarinetguy]

That is fascinating - I hadn't even thought of it. Thanks to you both.

[p. harrison]

My ancestor was also a Chelsea Pensioner and an Agricultural Labourer[1841,1851,1861 census].He served in the army from1804-1827 and I obtained his discharge papers from the National Archives-Army Records.Hope this info.helps.

[Peter Goodey]

To avoid any possible confusion, the questioner needs to download the service record from Findmypast. The National Archives themselves won't supply copies from WO97 any more.

[Clarinetguy]

I downloaded the service record which is quite hard to read but it is clear he was injured in Delhi in 1857 but discharged in 1868 because of a more serious medical condition.