42nd Regiment/ 6th Veterans Battalion

David Lang · Post by **David Lang** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:01 pm

I have recently discovered that my relative Robert Campbell served in the 42nd Regiment ( The Black Watch) and then the 6th Veteran Battalion from around 1800 till 1830s .

I am awaitng his service records from London as we speak , what i am trying to find out is where did he serve ?

Also his wife Helen Black, on her death certificate has Sergeant Black as father , I might be making an assumption but he also served with the 42nd as he is listed in the OPR at 1 of the childrens birth any idea how i can find out his name ?

Helen was probably born between 1780 and 1795 in Elgin, according to cenus records , first child Helen appears in 1808 in Ardeseir , Invernesshire which I assume would be Fort George.

Cheers
David

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:41 pm

Hi David

Have a look at http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/042-1.htm and http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/042-2.htm for the 2 contemporary battalions of The Black Watch.

And http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/802vet6.htm and http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/808vet12.htm for the 6th Veteran Battalion.

David

David Lang · Post by **David Lang** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:34 pm

Just got my relatives records from NAS in london and it is him as we suspected.Its great I know have a birth date and town for him and to make it better he was wounded in Egypt and served in the West Indies , so may have more info to get.

annie1 · Post by **annie1** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:13 pm

Hi David,

I also have found an ancestor serving with the 42nd foot, from about 1800 to at least 1814, I found info on findmypast regarding the battles he was in, but I want definite proof it was the same man.

I wanted to know how much information the records reveal? I dont have a birth date or where born, although I have a vague idea, but I do have the name of his wife, will the record have this? and is it expensive?

Regards
Ann

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:38 pm

annie1 wrote:Hi David,

I also have found an ancestor serving with the 42nd foot, from about 1800 to at least 1814, I found info on findmypast regarding the battles he was in, but I want definite proof it was the same man.

I wanted to know how much information the records reveal? I dont have a birth date or where born, although I have a vague idea, but I do have the name of his wife, will the record have this? and is it expensive?

Regards
Ann

That early a record may or may not be as helpful as later records; but there should an age, place of birth and quite detailed description, height, complexion, colour of eyes, distinguishing marks, - all this so that the army clerks could check that the person who turned up to collect the pension was the correct man; plus possibly occupation, but only an outside chance of next-of-kin.

As long as you have the TNA reference, then they just charge for the cost of the photocopies, and it's unlikely to be more than a couple of pages, so just a few pounds. Email TNA for an estimate, quoting the WO reference.

David

annie1 · Post by **annie1** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:00 am

Hi David

Thank you for you reply, I have not done research through the National Archives before, but looking forward to it.
Hopefully I will be lucky and find it's the correct person.

Ann

David Lang · Post by **David Lang** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:40 am

The records I got are quite informative.

Gave Parish of Birth , which i didnt know, physical Description , details of service with the regiments.

Also on his discharge papers from the 6th Veterans I have a list detailing all the mebers of that Battalion being discharged then.

I cant find the link at present but i went on to the site and type Robert AND Campbell and it brought up all the Robert Campbell's in their records in the War Office section(WO) and after that is was a case of narrow down the regiments and timescales.

I ordeed on line about £10 if i rember correctly and it was about 5 days delivery

annie1 · Post by **annie1** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:10 pm

Hi David

I have been on the archives today and although I could find no specific reference to my ancestor, I know he must be there somewhere or findmypast could not have the records.
I have the WO ref for the pensions, as I think I found him as a chelsea pensioner in 1841, I was told he also fought in the battle of Waterloo, so I have to check that out too.

I know his son was born in Musselburgh area, and then I found him in Elgin as a pensioner, stating birth as Inverness, but I still want to be 100% sure.
I am away back on to see if I can find anymore, I am quite enjoying this new area, some fascinating documents.

Thanks
Ann

bleckie · Post by **bleckie** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:07 am

Hi David

I have only just seen your post. Try contacting the archivist at the regimental HQ for the black watch at balhousie Castle in perth. The have the roll books going back to the formation of the 42nd foot.

yours brucel

annie1 · Post by **annie1** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:17 am

Hi Bruce,

Do you know if the rolls have details of where the men were posted?

Ann

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