Regiments

Hi all, I'm researching my family ancestry, and I think I've found my great grandfather in the 1881 census (won't know until I receive his marriage certificate stating where he was born); and because I know nothing about military life, this can make it difficult when researching genealogy. I'd also to like add, I think I've come to the right website, and if not, all apologies, and I hope someone can direct me where to go?

I'm having difficulty with the transcription details of the 1881 census, which are as follow:

"nrth Camp Aldershot A B & C lines:, Military In North Camp Aldershot.
What are the A B & C lines?

I did look up Aldershot, and did learn it's known as "Military Town".

And then my great grandfather is listed as a Private with the 56th Regiment.

Would anyone be so kind as to assist me with more information about this?

Also, would anyone know how long it takes to become a Sergeant Major? Because I was told my great grandfather commuted half of his military pension to come to Canada in 1924, and if he was a Private in 1881 - I'm not sure how long it would take to move up in the ranks for him to get that kind of pension?

Please be gentle, because again, I am totally ignorant to the military life, and do apologize for that.

Hi
Thanks for joining us and letting us help with your problem.

Firstly with reguard to promotion in the forces in the late 1800s early 1900s i would say that your Grandads promotion through the ranks to sergeant major in say 40 years was quite doable.

Secondly i think the military term LINES is probably a few centries old and denotes an area where a group of soldiers would be staying at any particular time. eg a section lines for 10 men a platoon lines for 30 men a company lines for say 100 men and so on depending on how many men were there. Tented concentrations could run into thousands as they did in the 1700/1800s.

This could be in Barracks as in Aldershot or any other military town or in the field on exercise or active service ie Irac or Afghanistan.

Incidently I stayed in that Brks in B company lines in 1968 while they decorated the new Barracks and i think north camp was 100 years old then. As you walk up the hill from the town centre north camp was the old buildings on the right and the new barracks were on the left. Can anyone out there help with the 56 th regiment??.Do you know the name of the 56th regiment.

Hope this helps chris

The 56th had been paired (appropriately) with the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot. On amalgamation on 1 July 1881, the 56th (as the junior of the two regiments) became the 2nd Battalion, The Essex Regiment.

Whilst the 56th had formally ceased to exist, a degree of individual continuity remained; the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment remained in an independent existence until 1948, when the regiment was amalgamated into a single regular battalion. The Essex Regiment was itself amalgamated into the single-battalion 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot) in 1958; in 1964, this became the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment. The 3rd Battalion Royal Anglians was finally disbanded in 1992. Three battalions remain today the 1st & 2nd Battalions, with a new 3rd Battalion made up from the TA units, but the direct lineage to the 56th Foot ceased in 1948

Well done trebor I think between us we have helped a little. Are you a pompadour or just have an historical interest.

Chris.
I served with you in the Antitanks in Berlin as Frank Francis's [Gun Commander] driver. I was in D detachment along with Johny Payne the other driver. Kevin Keogh was Detachment Commander.

I have looked through the A/T photos and although i remember a few names sadly the name trebor isnt one of them.I remember All the other names you mentioned .

Sorry Chris I use my old CB name but if you reverse trebor you will understand
RH

Hi Rob

Being an avid crossworder i should have seen that one from afar.

Just been reading Neckys latest on the lads guestbook , very funny and a welcome break from the serious stuff. Having said that, long may it continue.