Pensioner.....

[garibaldired]

I'm hoping someone can help me with this query.
I have, on a death certificate of an adult, the father's occupation as "pensioner". Does this always mean someone was in the armed services? The man in question was deceased at the time so shouldn't his occupation have been "soldier" or whatever?

Thanks, Meg

[DavidWW]

I'm hoping someone can help me with this query.
I have, on a death certificate of an adult, the father's occupation as "pensioner". Does this always mean someone was in the armed services?

Depends on the year involved

If you're talking the 1800s, probably yes.

The man in question was deceased at the time so shouldn't his occupation have been "soldier" or whatever?

No, why ? ....... if he had been discharged, he was no longer a soldier, and was a (Chelsea) pensioner, "In-", or, as most were "Out-" ....

David

[Rach]

I too have an ancestor as a 'pensioner'. Use search and 'Chelsea Pensioner' for information. After I read those letters I was able to get a couple of photocopies from the National Archives, Kew. This gave his date of entering army, where he was injured, a description of the man and how much pension he received. Unfortunately that search did not give me his actual date of birth or parents but it is great to have.
Rae

[garibaldired]

David,
Sorry, there was obviously a lack of understanding on my part.
The year was 1878.

Rach - thanks so much for that helpful advice. I've had a look and I think I've found him. Can you give me any idea on cost for copies? How many pages are there likely to be?

Thanks again to both of you.
Meg

[DavidWW]

David,
Sorry, there was obviously a lack of understanding on my part.
The year was 1878.

Rach - thanks so much for that helpful advice. I've had a look and I think I've found him. Can you give me any idea on cost for copies? How many pages are there likely to be?

Thanks again to both of you.
Meg

Nae prob, - I assumed that you were back in the 19th C

As regards Meg's answer, be aware that TNA will only quote you for copies in connection with the exact reference that you give, based on the records referenced in the on-line index. If this is the correct man, then it is near certain that there will be equally interesting info on his time in the army in many other record series which don't appear in the on-line index. but TNA will not carry out research for you to establish what other records there are.

Let me put it this way, my 4g-uncle John JACK served with the Oxfordshire Light Infantry (52nd of Foot) from the early 1800s, after 3 years in the Aberdeenshire Militia, before being discharged nearly 30 years later, on the way having served right through the Peninsular Campaign, including the first abortive part of the campaign including the retreat to Corunna, then in the "Wellington" phase, and then was with the 52nd in the line at Waterloo.......... Via an expert military records researcher at Kew I have around 80 photocopies from various records series, and that includes only a sample of the muster roll records. The number of copies involved in the records referred to on-line in the TNA index is 2 (two)

It all depends what you want, - a full picture, or just a snapshot.

David

[Rach]

As David says I did only get two photocopies with this information:
his regiment; his age; how long his service had been which went towards his pension; the injury which caused his army career to cease; the name of the village he lived in and his occupation. The second sheet gave similar information plus a description of him e.g. colour of eyes, hair ...;
where he had sustained the injury [this was the day before Waterloo] and the calculation of how much his pension was from the two regiments he had been in. This cost me £10 but it is the most detail of any ancestor I have apart from recent ones so it was worth it until I can save a bit and investigate further.
Rae

[garibaldired]

David and Rach,

Thanks very much once more. You have both been very helpful.
Like Rach I think I shall be opting for the snapshot - my funds are limited (putting 3 children through university is not cheap!)- and saving up for the whole picture.
All your input most appreciated.
Regards,
Meg