William Francis France - Colour Sergeant RM

[jackross]

I wonder if anyone can help.
I have a William Francis France born 7 Feb 1797 New Castle Street London who was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines.
He lived in New Street, Spring Gardens on the 1841, 1851 & 1861 censuses
and 'worked' out of Chatham.
I know he died Spt qtr 1866 Medway but apart from that I have no other info.
No service number or date when he joined up.
Assuming he was 20 when he joined it would have been 1817 - what, if any, conflicts might he have been involved in?
How can I find out about his military record or indeed any other info?
He's the only military man in my family so I'm keen to get some details, bearing in mind I live a long way from London or Chatham.

Regards
Jack

[Geoffers]

His records will be at The National Archives (TNA) at Kew.
Have a read through this TNA research guide (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=56)

His attestation papers will be in the class ADM157. It will be a help knowing that he 'worked out of Chatham' - assuming that this was his Division.

He may well have joined a couple of years earlier than you think - at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.