Half-pay Conditions

[robinjwmills]

Hello there! First time post and all that, so apologies if this is the wrong place or if it's a topic that's been dealt with before. I'm trying to find out the conditions on which officers could take half-pay and, in particular, whether they had to continue to reside on British territory or not to receive their pay.

I'm currently researching the large number of half-pay officers, army and navy, who retired to the Channel Islands throughout the 19th c.. One of the travellers' accounts I've found suggests that these officers retired to the CIs precisely because it was the only place that wasn't Britain but living on which they could still receive their pay.

Any help would be gratefully received!

Robin

[Les Waring]

Robin

I can't help specifically with your query but have come across some cases of officers and their families in the Channel Islands. One factor in favour of residing there seems to have been the lower cost of living compared with mainland Britain, which would have been important for those on half-pay.

I would be very interested in hearing if you come across any of the following in your researches. Any help gratefully received.

Samuel Hill LAWRENCE Snr. - 32nd Foot, early 19th C. He was a Waterloo (and possibly Peninsular War) veteran, who seems to have lived in the Ch.Is. and had a son, Henry Baines LAWRENCE (born there 1827) by a first marriage, wife's name unknown.

Samuel Hill LAWRENCE Jnr V.C. - 32nd Foot, seems to have visited the Islands (reported in local press I believe, mid-1858) following his service in the 'Mutiny', to stay with his mother, Margaret Harriet LAWRENCE (nee MacDonald) second? wife of Lawrence Snr., who was probably living with her daughter Margaret Isabella LAWRENCE, who married Captain William Hamilton RICHARDS on 4 August 1858 at St Mary’s Church, St Helliers (Jersey). I have only as short ref. to this ceremony, from the London Times (9 August 1858) but the local press may have dealt with it in greater detail; specifically whether Lawrence V.C. was present, gave away the bride (Lawrence Snr. being deceased) etc..

Thanks in advance.

Les Waring

[Liz]

I'm trying to find out the conditions on which officers could take half-pay and, in particular, whether they had to continue to reside on British territory or not to receive their pay.

Officers did not have to live on British territory to receive their pay, at least not in the early Victorian era. Quite a few former military men including Captain Richard Burton's father lived overseas with their families to make their pay go further.