XML FeedsChelsea Pensioners
By webmaster on Mar 19, 2010 | In News, Family Research, On the web
Link: http://www.findmypast.co.uk
Leading family history website www.findmypast.co.uk launches the ‘Chelsea Pensioners' British Army Service Records - in association with The National Archives where they are known as "WO 97". The collection (not complete yet) comprises over 6 million full colour images of the service records of soldiers in the British Army in receipt of a pension administered by The Royal Hospital Chelsea, and who were discharged between the dates 1760 and 1913.
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Many of the soldiers listed may have served in some of Britain's most significant wars, including the Battle of Waterloo (1815), the Crimean (1853 - 1856) and both Boer Wars (1899 - 1902). The records only list those soldiers who either completed their full service in the army or who were wounded and pensioned out of the army. The records do not include those killed in action or army deserters or officers.
Each individual soldier's record may be from four pages to 20 pages are full of fascinating personal details providing a rich and colourful story of our ancestors' lives and may include the following Information:-
- Date and place of birth
- Age
- Name and address of next of kin
- Height
- Chest size
- Complexion
- Hair colour
- Eye colour
- Distinguishing features
- Rank and regiment
- Occupation before joining the army
- Kit list
- Medical history
- Conduct and character observations
- Countries where, and dates when, the soldier served
- Date the soldier signed up and date of discharge
- Service history including promotions, campaigns and countries where they fought
- Details of marriage and their children's names, baptisms and dates of birth
1 comment
My wife is a GGGranddaughter of John Loyns (born W Buckland 1837) and I have been researching her roots for some years. Much of the information you have on the Westlakes is indirectly from me.I was interested to discover your site and perhaps I can make a couple of comments and additions.
You have John Loyns down as a farm labourer, which he was in his teens but at the age of 20 he joined the Glamorgan Constabulary and served as a police constable/sergeant until his death in Pentre in 1891.
I have his police service record (including his defaulters & his dismissal after which he joined the Met and later rejoined Glamorgan, against all the rules).
I wonder whether the occupations of John and Joseph were mixed up because you have Joseph, his brother, as a policeman. Perhaps he was, but I didn't know about it.
You may also be interested to know that one of Zachariah Thomas's sons was George Thomas, the erstwhile speaker of the House of Commons.
I am happy to swap information with fellow researchers.
Incidentally, how do the Loyns lead to Nathan's family?
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