Regiments embarking to and from India - dates & ships

[Garen]

Although this is related to my Afghan War research it has a wider scope, so I thought I'd post it in the Army section (though I'll be happy for it to be moved if there is a better home).

I have just finished the first phase of a fairly large research project - that of recording the dates and ships of embarkation for various regiments (those who served in the Second Afghan War 1878-80) travelling to and from India. I have only done the foot regiments so far, but do intend to add cavalry and artillery in the next phase.

Here is the link.

I have a few gaps and would be very grateful for anyone who can fill them with the correct data. My primary sources have been various nineteenth-century newspapers (The Times, Freeman's Journal, The Hampshire Advertiser etc.) so you'd probably be able to help me if you have a service record from a man who was in a transported regiment at the time, or if you have a regimental history.

Here are some of the gaps:

5th Fusiliers: when did they reach Alexandria from Kingstown? (sometime in Sep 1866, in two vessels - or did they go round the Cape?); what date did they reach India and on what ship?; and where did they land? (Karachi? Bombay? - I think it's Karachi.)

King's Liverpool Regiment (8th Foot): when did they depart Bombay for Egypt, and in which ship? (sometime in 1892?)

59th Foot: what date (1867) did the Clyde reach Ceylon? What days in March 1869 did the Malabar depart Ceylon and arrive at Bombay? What day in Mar 1869 did the Euphrates reach Bombay?

63rd Foot: what day in Oct 1870 did the Serapis leave Queenstown?

East Surrey Rgt. (70th Foot): What day in Oct 1871 did the Crocodile leave Queenstown (it was about the 6th, but I need confirmation). What day in Sep 1884 did the Himalaya leave Bombay?

72nd Highlanders: what day in Mar 1871 did the Crocodile reach Alexandria?

92nd Highlanders: what day in Feb 1868 did the Malabar depart from Suez for Bombay?

Many thanks! - Garen

[Mark]

Hi Garen

Thank you very much for the info and sharing your hard work! Hopefully some forum members will be able to help you with the gaps you identified.

Mark

[Garen]

Cheers, Mark. It's a long shot, but I'm constantly pleasantly surprised by what comes out on this forum!

[Garen]

I have updated my regimental embarkation resource to include the cavalry regiments that saw service in the Second Anglo-Afghan War - here is the link (cavalry have been added to the bottom of the table).

Best wishes -
Garen

[Maureene]

Hi Garen

There are some India Office Records at the British Library called
"British Army Records" IOR/L/MIL/15 which include L/MIL/15/42-46 "British troops embarked for India 1871-1889" which possibly may have relevant information.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ ... id=1-3#1-3

Cheers
Maureen

[Garen]

Many thanks for that, Maureen - yes, I think they've been mentioned before. One day, when I have some spare time (I can but dream ) I'll renew my BL library card and have a rummage!

Thanks again, best - Garen.

[Stuart_Bates]

Garen,

you may like to PM Graham Stewart, a VWF member but with no posts on this forum yet, regarding the 5th Regiment of Foot as he is an official archivist of that regiment. He has a wealth of knowledge and may very well be able to answer your questions. I say PM because he is working overseas at the moment.

Stuart

[Garen]

Sorry, Stuart, I missed your reply here. Thanks very much for the tip!