Royal Engineers

[restela]

Hello I'am from Argentina , recently I found out that one of my ancestors served in that corp.

He was born in Argentina of irish parents , and by the time of his military service draft he dodged it and must have moved to England about 1888.

I would appreciate if you can tell me how he could joined the british army ,since he was not english-born. As a volunteer or so ? Also where I could contact for a research.

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Roberto Estela Thompson

[dickiesam]

Hello I'am from Argentina , recently I found out that one of my ancestors served in that corp.

He was born in Argentina of irish parents , and by the time of his military service draft he dodged it and must have moved to England about 1888.

I would appreciate if you can tell me how he could joined the british army ,since he was not english-born. As a volunteer or so ? Also where I could contact for a research.

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Roberto Estela Thompson

There are British Army service records available online. They are by no means complete but worth searching. Findmypast has records online.

Post your ancestor's name and year of birth and many eyes will have a look for you. His actual place of birth would not have been a problem. Ireland was at that time part of the UK so parentage alone would have enabled him to enlist.

[restela]

Hello I'am from Argentina , recently I found out that one of my ancestors served in that corp.

He was born in Argentina of irish parents , and by the time of his military service draft he dodged it and must have moved to England about 1888.

I would appreciate if you can tell me how he could joined the british army ,since he was not english-born. As a volunteer or so ? Also where I could contact for a research.

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Roberto Estela Thompson

There are British Army service records available online. They are by no means complete but worth searching. Findmypast has records online.

Post your ancestor's name and year of birth and many eyes will have a look for you. His actual place of birth would not have been a problem. Ireland was at that time part of the UK so parentage alone would have enabled him to enlist.

Hi DS , his name was William Thompson , born 05.JUL.1871 in Argentina . Baptized as William Edward Thompson.

According to a family letter he served in the Royal Engineers in Hong Kong , Sierra Leone and retired in Chatham , Kent.

Thanks in advance for any help ,
Regards

[dickiesam]

Hi,
There is only one match in the pension records for a William Edward Thompson, Army number 1329 - rank of Sapper, but he was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, abt 1882. He was discharged as unfit for service in 1902. His father John Thompson was also military, being a Quartermaster Sergeant in the 4th Suffolk Regiment. Not your ancestor unfortunately. But still looking.....

[restela]

Hi,
There is only one match in the pension records for a William Edward Thompson, Army number 1329 - rank of Sapper, but he was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, abt 1882. He was discharged as unfit for service in 1902. His father John Thompson was also military, being a Quartermaster Sergeant in the 4th Suffolk Regiment. Not your ancestor unfortunately. But still looking.....

Oh... Thanks again DS !

[dickiesam]

Still looking for William Edward..
Is there any mention of his Army number or rank in the correspondence you have?

[restela]

Still looking for William Edward..
Is there any mention of his Army number or rank in the correspondence you have?

Not really ... just his transfers Sierra Leone , Hong Kong and retired in Chatham , Gillingham , Kent.

I have a doubt about censuses , should he be enumerated even if he was in the army ?
And being so , if he was transfered abroad should be still enumerated ?

[Bertieone]

Hi,

I think this is your chap,

William Thompson, Army Number, 26308,
Royal Engineers,

Declares he was born 1871, Bermondsey, Middlesex,
Question on, has he served apprenticeship, etc, answers, Yes, 5 years, Argentine Railway.


Sierra Leone and Chatham mentioned in medical report, will go through records again and post anything that may help.

[restela]

Hi,

I think this is your chap,

William Thompson, Army Number, 26308,
Royal Engineers,

Declares he was born 1871, Bermondsey, Middlesex,
Question on, has he served apprenticeship, etc, answers, Yes, 5 years, Argentine Railway.


Sierra Leone and Chatham mentioned in medical report, will go through records again and post anything that may help.

Hi Bertione !

Could you please tell me what you mean about this "Question on, has he served apprenticeship, etc, answers, Yes, 5 years, Argentine Railway" .... ?

[Bertieone]

Hi,

Attestation Form,
Questions put to recruit,

Question 7, Are you or have you been a apprentice ...........

Answered, Yes 5 years, Central Argentine Railway,

Attestation form dated, 23 January 1892
Prior to joining the Royal Engineers he was in the 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, 7459, for I think 49 days.
He was 21 years 6 months old on joining and was discharged to pension on the 23 1 1912,

There is quite a bit on him and it may be worth buying some credits on Ancestry, if you are able to do so.

[restela]

Hi,

Attestation Form,
Questions put to recruit,

Question 7, Are you or have you been a apprentice ...........

Answered, Yes 5 years, Central Argentine Railway,

Attestation form dated, 23 January 1892
Prior to joining the Royal Engineers he was in the 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, 7459, for I think 49 days.
He was 21 years 6 months old on joining and was discharged to pension on the 23 1 1912,

There is quite a bit on him and it may be worth buying some credits on Ancestry, if you are able to do so.

Well done Bertione ! .... as you say it seems to be him ...

Pls tell me how is the procedure with the credits
Thank you very much for your help !

[Bertieone]

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/subscribe/products/?p=ppv

There's 28 images in the Military collection.

[restela]

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/subscribe/products/?p=ppv

There's 28 images in the Military collection.

Many Thanks again Bertione !

[Bertieone]

Making my way through the handwriting,

Mother, Annie Marshall ?

Wife, Caroline Williams, (Sheerness, Place)

Sister, Mrs Bowlina.

[Bertieone]

Marriage,

William Thompson,
Caroline Williams,
June Qtr, 1896
Vol 2a Page 1661,

Free BMD

[restela]

Making my way through the handwriting,

Mother, Annie Marshall ?

Wife, Caroline Williams, (Sheerness, Place)

Sister, Mrs Bowlina.

Definitely is him , Bertieone ! By chance is there any mention to William's father ?

[Bertieone]

Can't see a mention of father, Mother and Sister in next of kin section, perhaps Father deceased?

[restela]

Can't see a mention of father, Mother and Sister in next of kin section, perhaps Father deceased?

Could be dead at that time .... what happened to him is not very clear to me ...

Are you taking that William's info from first enlistment ( Royal Fusiliers ) or from REngineers ?
And is it said where he was stationed during first enlistment ?

[Bertieone]

The Fusiliers, Bury, England,

Military History Sheet,
Royal Engineers,

Home, 23 1 92, 3 11 05
Hong Kong, 4 11 05, 14 12 08
Home 15 12 08, 22 9 09
Sierra Leone 23 9 09, 10 10 10
Passage Home 11 10 10, 23 10 10
Home 23 10 10, 19 1 12

[Bertieone]

Should add, info from RE sheet.