Drummer in Lanarkshire Militia

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Julie Tyrell
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:58 pm
Location: BOGNOR REGIS, WEST SUSSEX

Drummer in Lanarkshire Militia

Post by Julie Tyrell » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:40 am

Hi

I have just had access to to some baptism records and it shows father occupation as Drummer in Lanarkshire Militia.

These baptisms took place in 1811, 1813, 1815 in Glasgow.
This man regulary had children every two years, which makes me think that he could not have several abroad.

Could anybody suggest which regiment he could of been in (or is this a ridiculous question)? Why would he have not been posted abroad??

He was shown later on his childrens marriage certs as a Nailar.

I think he was born George Smith 1786 (not from Lanarkshire) and married Isobel Kirkwood in 1806 in Barony.

Any help with his military history or advise would be great.

regards Julie
Names researching:
KIRKLAND, MALCOLM, DONALDSON, WRIGHT, LENNOX, FERGUSON, - Scotland
FUALL - Cornwall and Scotland
HAMMON, - Kent
FIFIELD, LEWIS, HOWSE - England

nelmit
Posts: 4002
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:49 pm
Location: Scotland

Post by nelmit » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:21 am

Sorry I can't help with the history but there are a couple of interesting snippets in the newspapers of the time which will give you a flavour of the regiment's band.

http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 49&start=0

Regards,
Annette

Russell
Posts: 2559
Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:59 pm
Location: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire

Post by Russell » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:25 am

Hi Julie

In the 1800's there was a lot of local upheaval over working conditions. religion, social conditions, housing. Often there was a garrison of military based in a particular area during peacetime but when they were called on for active service there was no force left to keep the peace in the local area. When trouble flared up a local militia was formed to keep the 'workers' in their place. The militia would often be maintained only until the regular army returned from whichever campaign they were on.

The men recruited were often unemployed because of the local social upheaval.
Its a fascinating period in social history. As things improved there was a good chance of a man who had behaved well in the militia being favoured by the business men and land owners, who were usually the militia officers, with some sort of employment. It sounds as though your man was a Nailer - a maker of nails.
Hope this helps.

Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny

Currie
Posts: 3924
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:20 am
Location: Australia

Post by Currie » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:55 pm

Hello Julie,

If you go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/sear ... d=True&j=t

And search for this: george smith lanarkshire militia

You’ll find a record which possibly could be yours in WO 97/1108 - Local Regiments (Militia): Saf – Smi

WO 97/1108/214
GEORGE SMITH
Born INVERNESS, Inverness-shire
Served in Lanarkshire Militia
Discharged aged 52
Covering dates 1803-1835

Assuming the discharge date was 1835 he fits fairly well with someone born around 1786 especially if that’s a rounded down 1841 census date of birth. He’s not from Lanarkshire but does Inverness match or did he die before 1851?

These records are held at the National archives at Kew. This GENUKI page gives a good rundown on British military records, including those for Chelsea Pensioners.
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/BritMilRecs.html

I haven’t chased any of these records myself and can’t give you any hints as to the finer practical points of getting your hands onto them.

Hope this helps,
Alan