David Tidbury in the Napoleonic Wars

[Napoleon]

My gggg grandfather David TIDBURY served in the 23rd Foot Regiment from 1805 to 1821. He was awarded the Military General Service Medal with eight clasps in 1848. From these records I have learnt that David was in the Caribbean war at Martinique. He then served in the Peninsular War and was at Albuera, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Orthes, the Pyrennees and Toulouse. He was in Captain Campbell's No. 5 Company at Waterloo and, like all participants in the battle, was subsequently awarded the Waterloo Medal. After Waterloo he was promoted from Private to Corporal and then for some reason demoted again in 1817. He died in 1867 when he was said to be 84 years old. I'm hoping to go to Kew to find further records of David's military service but in the meantime I wondered if there might be any surviving records in the Regimental Archives. Is it possible to request a search of the archives? Any information would be gratefully received.

[Aled Roberts]

I can add only a little info here.

I can confirm all the above. Your gggg gf was born in Newbury, Berkshire, his trade a labourer and attested on the 23rd April 1805 aged 23 years. He was discharged 25th May 1821 as being "Unfit for service" and awarded a pension of 1/- per diem.

You have nothing to lose by dropping the Regimental Museum a line. However I do not believe they hold records for OR's. Your best bet is to try the NA.

Good luck on your search. :)

Richard

[Bob Bacon]

Posted on behalf of: Debbie

Richard

Many thanks for your e-mail. I did have the additional detail about David Tidbury. David Milner, who is researching all the Waterloo soldiers, very kindly supplied me with the information from his database.

I will see how I get on at the National Archives and then perhaps try writing a letter to the Regimental Museum. I wondered if the museum might have diaries or letters of some of the officers from the 23rd Foot who served in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo, though I don't suppose David Tidbury would be mentioned by name.

Best wishes

Debbie

[jungle1810]

Hello,
I am fairly sure that a book has been written on Medal winners of the Napoleonic wars. It costs about £ 11-00p from the museum. Check first it is the right book. It may help you.

Regards Don

[Dai72]

In the above named book his name is Tedbury. Seems he was promoted Cpl 25 Dec 1816 and reduced to Pte29 May 1817.