Genealogy Chat

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I did a quick search for this and can't see anything, A relative was in the Coldstream Guards in the 1881 census aged 22,by 1891 he was back in civvy street. The museum for the Coldstream Guards,(Wellington Barracks) do not hold records of individuals,and there is no recorded military action he would have completed.The museum at Coldstream itself has very little information about anything other than an overview of the lives that a soldier had. The National Archives obvioussly have records,but would there be anything of interest for a Guardsman who served during a historically quiet time and as far as i know was only ever a private? Glen

Glen Not sure about Coldstream Guards but I know the Guards Museum at Wellington Barrack send out Service Records, they sent me my Granddads he served 1876 - 1888. He signed up for 12 years 6 with the Colours and 6 with the 1st. Class Reserves Also 'Heather Positive Thinker' obtained Guards Service Records from Kew from a researcher who was very reasonable. Keith

Thanks Keith,i'm not sure exactly how long my rellie was in for,he returned to his brothers' house by 1891 and spent his days as a blacksmith in Lincoln. I'm just curious if there may be any photographs or documents of the time,although i have no idea what he looked like,or if he ever went beyond being a private. He was uncle to my grandfather,raising him from the age of five after g g/f died.One of those 'flesh on the bone' scenarios. Thanks for your advice Glen

Hi Glen Just to confirm that both battalions of the regiment were in barracks in London for the 1881 census. Check out www*regiments* org for further info. Regards - Terry

The Guards def do send you service records - they asked me £25 to look them up but I had already instructed a researcher by the time they had replied. I got some interesting stuff - even details of an accident the guy had in the gym! (same period as you are searching). My chap was a sergeant but seems to have gone no further than Dublin during his service.

Hi Glen No photo with Service Record but they do give a physical description on attestation e.g. Height, Chest measurement, Complexion, Eyes and Hair colour. Keith

I had a feeling the photographic side may have been pushing it a little,but if you don't ask.............. Thanks for the replies everyone. Glen

Hi Glen, I got a service record for my great great grand uncle who was in the Coldstream Guards from 1850 - 1856. Luckily this was when the Crimean War occured so I have plenty of info. I got the service record from Wellington Barracks. You need to supply when you think he was in the Coldstream Guards. Most of them joined from about the age of 19 - 20. You also need to give his rough year of birth and place of birth before they can help you. Cheers, Horatia

You say this was a historically quiet time, yet in August 1882, a large force including the Coldstreams under Sir Garnet Wolseley was sent to Egypt after an Egyptian Colonel by the name of Arabi Pasha had massacred 150 Europeans and was demanding independence for Egypt. You may have seen the film Khartoum starring Charlton Heston. If your ancestor was a blacksmith in civilian life maybe he was a farrier in this force.