military info

[arlibop]

Have any abers been to kew to look up military records.
I'm thinking of making a trip there soon but don't know how much info they hold for an individual who was a private in the militia in 1856 don't want a wasted journey tho could get some shopping in lol!

[dot.hawkes]

have a look at this first:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhis tory/army/step4.htm
Check the rules for admittance i think you need id now but I havn't been for about 8 years.

[dot.hawkes]

then try:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/R dLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=26&j=1

[arlibop]

Thanks dot as usual you've come up trumps! This will give me an area in which to look when I go up to Kew. Probably won't have time to shop as once I get there I know I'll get drawn in to looking at other stuff they hold too!

[derekpara]

If you have the individual's regiment, date of enlistment etc, then you can see his Attestation paper which he would have completed when signing on. The papers are very interesting because they followed the soldier through his service, showing postings, engagements, awards, crimes etc all the way through to discharge. It will also show you his personal details including full physical description, address, next of kin etc etc. Fascinating to read even if you never knew the person. Good luck.

[derekpara]

Silly last sentence ! Should read..' knew OF the person.'

[arlibop]

Thanks derekpara that's just the info I'm after. I can't get further back than 1856 on that side of my family tree without more info, the surname is Johnson so you can imagine how many of them there are!