John Jackson RWF/23rd of foot - 1870's

[brasco1033]

Hi all, I'm hoping for some help in tracking down a family member whom I believe may have been a member.
I have a John JACKSON born around 1844. He was posted to Brecon around 1868-1870 with an unknown unit according to marriage records and the census. Shortly afterwards he was posted to Ireland and his wife Maria went with him. I know this because he had a son Henry Jackson born in Ireland in 1873. Maria must have returned to her hometown of Brecon as their next child is born there. John JACKSON remains absent on the following census and family history has it that he became a Police Constable somewhere. He was dead before 1898 as shown on Henry's marriage certificate in Merthyr Tydfil.
The kind folks at Brecon museum have given me the list of units serving there and the 23rd of Foot (RWF) were there at the time.
Does anyone have access to a nominal roll or something similar so I can get his Reg.
Strange really because I had family serving in the Regiment during the 1980's and 1990's as well.
Any help appreciated. I am in Calgary, Canada so I can't nip down the records office unfortunately.

[ap1]

My initial thought was SWB. However there is a slight chance he could be RWF dependent on any other detail you have.

In 1868 the 2nd Bn RWF was quartered at Newport, Brecon and Cardiff. Then in May 1869 the 2nd Bn RWF moved to Aldershot.(Where was your man in the 1871 Census).

They then turn up in Ireland in Sept 1872 remaining there until Nov 1873, where they then sail to the Gold Coast to fight in the Ashanti Wars. They remained abroad until March 1874 when they arrived back at Portsmouth

Meanwhile the 1st Bn, moved from Plymouth to South Wales in Oct 1870. They had 5 Companies based at Brecon. In March 1871, one of those companies was detached to Milford Haven.

In Sept 1871 the battalion moved to Milford Haven. They remained mainland based for several more years. Which probably discounts your man

Conclusion

He could possibly be 2nd Battalion. In which case he may appear on the Ashanti medal Rolls, which several of our members have access too. Richard Ward who usually deals with this period is abroad at the moment, but i'm sure he or someone else will check for you.

In the meantime do the dates above fit with any other info you may have?

Regards

[brasco1033]

Hi all, does anyone know where I would find records for the 23rd of foot for the period around 1868. My ancestor was listed as a drummer in the Regiment at Brecon barracks and left for Ireland shortly after.
Are there any records and if so where are they ? Thanks for any help.

[ap1]

Hi Brasco,

After a little effort, I have already answered part of your initial question. Which I'm not sure you've read as we have had no response. For ease of reference I have now combined both threads.

Regarding the Muster Rolls, these are held at the National Archive, however they can be ordered online at a reasonable cost. Your period is listed under code WO12

Please read all the messages in the following thread, posted by one of our members "Roger" regarding the online ordering of muster rolls. Im sure he will be able to advise if you require more detail.

http://www.rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=1570

Keep us posted. It would be interesting to see how you get on with the muster rolls

[brasco1033]

Thanks for all the help. I have now found that in 1873 he was posted in West Co Meath in Ireland with his wife.
Thanks again for all the help.

[brasco1033]

Just a quick update and a quesion for whoever has the records of battalion movements. I seem to have found my man in the 1861 census at Pembroke dock encampment together with what looks like a whole battalion. There is no mention of the unit name but it appears intact apart from a CO. Over 1000 men and 30 women. Would this tie in with the movements of the RWF or was it just a training or transit camp. I've googled the place but no one seems to say what type of camp it was.
Just one more question. Would the Regiment have been made up of mostly no Welsh people or recruited mainly from the homeland ?

[ap1]

That sounds like a battalion.

In 1861 the 1st Bn was in India, and the 2nd Bn was in Malta :eek:

[brasco1033]

Thx, I wonder if it's a transit camp for shipping out to India and other postings. I'll keep looking.