Capt Patrick McCormick..death

Mike McCormick · 21-02-2006, 10:10

Could anyone advise me?
My Gt Grandfather Patrick McCormick enlisted in the ranks 1860. Was commissioned 1873. He transferred to 1 RWF 10.4.1880 and sailed a couple of months later on HM troopship Malabar. for India.He died in India 5.6.1884.
My question is ..Would his widow Georgina have had to register his death in the UK? Would his enlistment details, Next of Kin, place of birth etc be at Kew?
I can't trace any marriage, were there army chaplains in those days? Could he have got married in camp?
Any help/advice really appreciated.
Mike

**ap1** · 21-02-2006, 21:04

Hi Mike,

Army Chaplains could, and still do conduct marriage ceremonys. Have a look at the link below to 1837.com. It has a searchable GRO Chaplains index, covering your period of interest. It is a pay site, and is very accuarate.

http://www.1837online.com/Trace2web/...t?searchType=D

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Al Poole

Mike McCormick · 22-02-2006, 15:22

Many thanks Al,
tried 1837 for marriage and birth of eldest child but no luck.
Would the enlistment records be at Kew?His service started 1860 although I have only found the details from 1867 starting at Plymouth 1867/8.Aldershot 1869 chatham 1870 woolwich 1871 Curragh 1872/3 Coomassie(Medal) 1874 Gibraltar 1875/9(my grandfather born there)1880 Plymouth prior to sailing for India.There were five children in all The eldest born at Newport followed by middx, Ireland, Gibraltar(2) all on 1881 Census. He was not present at this census.
Thank you again for your interest
Mike

Mike McCormick · 14-07-2006, 23:55

I post this thread not knowing whether it is a new thread or maybe someone has already made the same suggestion.
I am tracing my Gt Grandfather Captain Patrick McCormick who died serving in 1 RWF in india.1884
I thought at last I had traced his death and ordered the death certificate.
It was not my Relative.
Is there anywhere on site where we can post details of certificates purchased that might help another person searching their for their relatives?
Mike

**Bob Bacon** · 15-07-2006, 08:15

Mike

In here will do fine

Mike McCormick · 15-07-2006, 09:29

Thanks Bob,
32 BD 2023 Private Patrick McCormick aged 38 died Dysentery 11/12/1882 Fyzabad. Officers Signature Major H.M.Lowry.
Anyone researching this man most welcome to Certificate.
Mike

**ap1** · 15-07-2006, 12:49

Hi Mike,

Just a thought, have you signed up to the mailing list at:

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~clday/mailing.htm By signing up you will be able to inform the 700 odd researchers that you have this persons details and also advertise your own family interest.

Its quite a comprehensive site, with plenty of resources for anyone interested in researching family members who served in India.

Best wishes

Al

Mike McCormick · 15-07-2006, 19:28

Hello again Al,
thanks for the tip, I have registered and posted a message.
Mike

Mike McCormick · 14-12-2006, 15:34

Al,
I have at last managed to get to the National Archives at Kew.
I thought it may help someone intending to visit to be made aware that it can be quite daunting.
The staff there do try to help where they can but the volume of visitors means they have little or no time at all to help the individual.
Before visiting you MUST do your homework.Look at the site on the internet, take every scrap of info you have and be prepared for a long hard slog.
After travelling for nearly 3 hours in heavy traffic and 2 1/2 hrs back, the cost of petrol, I came to the conclusion that it would have been better to pay for the services of a researcher who knew their way around.
I was directed to an Index system for officers that was not complete and after a long trawl came up with nothing.
My only find for the day was an entry in the Army List 1884 which gave Patrick McCormick as Hon captain 19/11/1883.
Was Hon Capt a provisional promotion? Perhaps you could throw some light on that for me Al.
I am not giving in, I would dearly like to see his enlistment papers or at least place of birth in Ireland.
Merry Christmas to all
Mike

**ap1** · 14-12-2006, 17:12

Hi Mike,

You may have inadvertently found something here:

According to a few sites on the net. Hon Capt was a rank given to members of the Indian Army/Civil Service, during the empire days, note:

Departmental Officers were recruited from the EIC/Indian Army's Conductors and served mainly in the Ordnance, Commissariat and Public Works Departments. Prior to 1904 they held the ranks (in ascending order) of Deputy Assistant Commissary, Assistant Commissary and Deputy Commissary. In 1867 these ranks were given complementary honorary officer ranks ranging from Honorary Ensign to Honorary Captain. From 1904 Departmental Officer ranks were regraded as Assistant Commissary, Deputy Commissary and Commissary with equivalent honorary officer ranks from Honorary Lieutenant to Honorary Major. In 1921 the prefix 'Honorary' was discarded and the complementary ranks assimilated to those of regular officers.

I wonder if he was remployed within the Indian Army just before he died? If so it opens a whole new strand of research.

Thanks for the info regarding the NA, I intend to visit just after Xmas. I have already booked my readers ticket, and am getting all my info together.

Al