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Joining the army in the early 1800s

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by mfree (U14510592) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010

  I am trying to find out how my 3xgt grandfather would have joined the Oxford and Bucks regt, 52nd Light Infantry in early1800s. Also I would like to obtain his military record in the hope that it will contain his place of birth. He was private William Clark and he served in the army until 1832. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
  
  Many thanks

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Pete- Weatherman (U14670985) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010

  Had a look at the Meadal cards in National Archives, the only William Clark I found fitting your info was this one
  
  Clark William George. Oxford and Buckinghamshire. 52nd Light Inf. Regamentel number 13208 Private 1914 - 1920
  Cattalog No WO 372/4
  
  You will find him on page 18 of the W. Clark's. If this is your man you can now uses the Reg No and the Cat No to trace him in the Archives records

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  Posted by mfree (U14510592) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010

  My ancestor was in the army between 1800 and 1831 and so this cannot be my William Clark. Do the records you are looking at go back any further? Thankyou so much for looking. The info is very useful.

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  Posted by Pete- Weatherman (U14670985) on Wednesday, 17th November 2010

  Confution. The Ox and Bucks only became that in 1908 pre that date they were the Oxford light infantry and befor that 52nd of foot. You will find they were chasesing Napolien around Portugal and Spain (and France later) at the time you are intrested in.
  I do not have any thing that gose that far back yet. But I will still have a look on the net.

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  Posted by Pete- Weatherman (U14670985) on Thursday, 18th November 2010

  If your rellie was in the Ox &bucks befor 1815 as I think you indecate, then he would of been at the Battle of Waterloo. If so he would of reseved a campain medal for it and the Nat Archives have the list of persons awarded that.
  Go to the Nat Archives web page to "Documents on line". Army. scroll down to Waterloo medal book, click on it. you will find the info Ref and how to bye it (Β£3.50 I think)
  
  Out of intrest have you read the "Sharp" books they follow Sharp from India to Portugal and on to Waterloo. mirroring the 52nd postings (to a point) though the story is fiction the facts are true and the 52nd is mentiond sevrale times (I beleve, long time sinces I read them) But it will give you a graffic discription of what life was like at that time in battle and out of it.
  There is a lot on line about the Reg, just google "52nd of foot" and you will find a fare bit.
  
  Almost forgot If he was in at this time and came out when you state then the odds are he had Rank as most long serving men got it this was up to the rank of WO1 but normaly Sgt, staff/col Sgt or WO2

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  Posted by mfree (U14510592) on Thursday, 18th November 2010

  My mistake. I find the different regiments very confusing. By 1826 he was in 52nd light infantry stationed in Nova Scotia. Previously he had been in France where he met his wife. They were married in Chester in 1819 when the regt returned to England and then went on to Ireland and Canada.
  Would he have gone to Oxford to join the regiment?
  Thankyou for your patience!

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• Message 7

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  Posted by mfree (U14510592) on Thursday, 18th November 2010

  That is all so helpful. I will definately read the Sharpe books. Thanks so much for your help.

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