Genealogy Forum UK

II am tracing a Henry Ashmore born about 1837 Kidderminster and I have come across some tattered records on ancestry for a Henry Ashmore born Kidderminster who joined the militia 29 September 1858 can't read where he joined. His number was 2700 it seems he served for 20 years 156 days of which 2 years 257 days were served in Canada, he appears to have been promoted to Corporal then demotoed for it looks like being drunk on duty.

He was discharged 1878 his number then looks like No. 838 private Henry Ashmore the discharge address looks like ? Street Notting Hill Gate Kennsington.

The Henry Ashmore I am looking for is in 1881 living at 16 St James Street Kennsington Kennsington Town with wife
Catherine 39 born Ireland
Edward 20 born Chatham
Henry born 1867 Aldershot
Alexander Philip born 1870 Curragh Camp Ireland
Florence born 1875 London
Agnes born 1878 London
Henry is listed as a horse keeper
By 1891 Henry is widowed horse keeper

AS most of his children are born in garrison towns I am wondering if Henry who served in Canada is the same as the Henry in 1881 and 1891 census, if he is how can I find out any more about what regiment he was in and where in Canada he went?

Thanks
nessa

Hi nessa,

I'm very confident that the Henry Ashmore's military papers found relates to the same person found on the census returns given the place, date of birth, birth places of children and also he doesn't appear on the census returns during his period of military service. His intended palce of residence from the milatary documents matches with the Henry and family on the census return. In my mind without doubt this is the same person.

His full service records are available to view on findmypast but you'll need to purchase some pay as you go vouchers to view however on these documents it should state his parents details. This information should enable you to confirm if he is the same person however what other interesting details are enclosed varies.

He did indeed serve in Canada and also Ireland (very feint to read) which matches the birth of one of the children noted on the census returns and also most likely where he married his wife who was also from Ireland.

He served his entire Army career with the Military Train Corps which later became the Army Service Corps. He most likely did a number of different jobs helping to supply the Army with material required from Barracks etc. His name doesn't appear on any medal rolls so unlikely he saw service in any military campaigns.

I wouldn't pay money to view those records because I'm convinced this is your person.

This website might prove useful:
http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-un ... vice-corps

Extract taken from website.
It took the poor supply chains of the early stages of the Crimean War (1854-56), and the ensuing public outrage, for another army supply unit to be set up in 1855, this time known as the Land Transport Corps then the Military Train.

Army supply overall, however, was still in the hands of a unit of uniformed civilians known as the Commissariat, which was in 1869 merged with the Military Train’s officers to form the Control Department. This made the Military Train a unit solely made up of other ranks commanded by officers from the Control Department and in 1870 the Military Train was renamed the Army Service Corps.

Regards
Adrian

Hi Adrian,

Thank you for the message and the extra information, some of the writing was very feint and difficult to read. I have looked at the link you suggested and wil read it properly later.

Nessa