General Chat

Many, many thanks George. . Also thanks for the information regarding the 81st Reg - very interesting. I'm afraid I don't know where to look for half the stuff I want so I have to call upon you more clever and helpful people.

Thank you so much.

Phyll

Some info about the 81st Foot

1853 - 1863: India, Sepoy Mutiny, and the North-West Frontier[edit source]

The regiment arrived in India in 1854. Initially sent to Meerut, the regiment would eventually be sent to Lahore in 1857 on the eve of the Sepoy Mutiny. There they were stationed at the Meean Meer cantonment with three infantry battlaions, one cavalry regiment, and some artillery units of the Company. On the eve of the mutiny, many of the officers were on leave, despite evidence that something was happening.[15] When word reached the Punjab of the mutiny, the 81st disarmed the Company battalions at Meean Meer during a surprise parade inspection.[16] The initial operation took the mutineers by surprise, and they were disarmed without no casualties. As the sepoy units at Meean Meer were being disarmed, three companies of the 81st tricked their way into the fort guarding Lahore, surprsing and disarming the native infantry units there as well.[17] In one fell swoop, the 81st became almost the sole British battalion in the Lahore area, requiring the battalion to be stretched thin maintaining British control over the region. This was a region which until less than ten years earlier had been an independent entity, the Sikh Empire.

With the recapture of Dehli in September 1857, British control of the Punjab became easier as the rebellion in lost its momentum. By February 1858, the situation had improved to the point where the 81st could be transferred to the North-West Frontier.[18] The 81st was assigned to Major-General Sir Sydney Cotton's Sittana Field Force. The objective of Cotton's command was to carry out a punitive expedition against Hindustani fanatics who had been instrumental in the mutiny of a native regiment stationed near Peshawar.[19][20] Crossing through the Daran pass, the 81st participated in the destruction of the stronghold at Mangal Thana.[21] After destroying the fortifications at Mangal Thana, the expedition turned its attention to the main fanatic base at Sittana. Despite resistance from the Fanactics, the upper and lower Sittana villages were captured by the British forces, including the 81st. After burning them to the ground, the Cotton's expedition returned to British India. The success of the expedition resulted in a treaty between the various tribes and the British resulting in the expulsion of the Hindustani Fanatics as well as an agreement by the various tribes to resist attempts by the Fanatics to return.[22]


George

Phyll

This is the only info that shows, no other details at all.


First Name:
Amos

Initials:
A

Surname:
Goward

Resided Town:
Rawalpindi, India

Information:
Taken from UK census dated 7/8th April 1861

Rank:
Private

Service Number:
643

Regiment:
81st Foot



Same info from FMP which has been transferred to FMP from The National Archives, so I don't think there is any further info available, might be worth you trying though.


Transcription page details



First Name(s):Amos

Last Name:Goward

Number:289/643

Rank:Private

Unit:81st Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers)

Regiment Stationed at:Rawulpindee

National Archives reference:WO12 / 8572

George

George, I thank you for your generosity.

He is: Amos Goward born 1838 in Addington, Surrey. Married to Mary Murray in 1867 in Co. Cork, Ireland. 1881 in Banbeath Cotton, Scoonie, Fife, Scotland. Occ: Groom & Pensioner 81st. Reg. That's all I know.

Thanks again.
Phyll

If you want to give me the info, name etc i will have a look for you., I do have a sub

George

Sorry forgot to mention that the record year shown is 1861 and he was a private in 81st foot. On 1881 census his occupation is that of 'retired...............81st Reg' so I am presuming this must be my man.

George,thanks for your reply.

I am looking for records for someone in 1861. Have seen his name on their records but not sure what info it will give me.

Depends on what info you are looking for?.If its WW1 & 2 service records they are not available on that site.

Have look at the collections

http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/Collections/List

George

I am so sorry for asking this again but I have lost some of my watched threads.

What sort of info can I expect from them if I join - only for a month.
Many thanks as always.
Phyll