Cpl Robert SWEET, 233 2nd Batt Devons in Burma 1889-92

[archway69]

Hi i was wondering if somebody could help me, I have just found my great grandads war medal from Burma
The information on it says 233 corp R Sweet 2nd batellion Devon Regiment, His name was Robert Sweet and i think he was born in Tiverton in 1863 but this is all the information i can find i would really appricate any information anybody could help me with as ive tried looking but cant find anything

Many Thanks

[Maureene]

Hi

The FIBIS Fibiwiki hads pages "11th Regiment of Foot" (the original name of the Devonshire Regiment" and ''3rd Burma War''
http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=1 ... nt_of_Foot
http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=3rd_Burma_War

The only specific reference to the 2nd Devons in this period is to the the assault on the Kyaing-Kwintaung Stockade during the Wuntho Sawbwa Campaign of 1891. There are two photos in the Cambridge University Library which have the follwing descriptions. Perhaps this is the action the medal was awarded for.


*The Coy. 2nd Devon Regt. Under Capt. Davies and 2nd Lts. Homan and Logan who marched from Shwebo to Kawlin a distance of 98 miles in 5 days (Burma [i.e. Myanmar]). 273 x 181 mm. Showing men of the Second Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on parade in an open, grassed area. The precise date of this march has not been ascertained, but was almost certainly connected with the assault on the Kyaing-Kwintaung Stockade during the Wuntho Sawbwa Campaign of 1891.
Creator: Beato, Felix, fl 1850-1891, photographer.


*The assault on Kyaing-Kwintaung Stockade by the Coy 2nd Devon Regt. Under Capt. Davies and 2nd Lts. Holman and Logan. 270 x 205 mm. Showing soldiers of the Devonshire Regiment outside the stockade, with a bugler and a wounded man in the foreground. The photograph, judging by the static postures of the figures, is a reconstruction after the event. Situated between the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers, the state of Wuntho was not absorbed into British administration after the Third Burmese War of 1885-86. The Sawbwa (hereditary ruler of a Shan state) at this period was Maung Aung Myat who had taken over the leadership in 1881. Consistently ill-disposed towards the British the Sawbwa had allowed his lands to become a place of refuge for dacoits (robbers) fleeing the British and in February 1891 open rebellion broke out when British troops entered northern Wuntho in pursuit of bandits. A number of British police posts were attacked and British troops moved into the area. On February 21 news came that the Sawbwa had stockaded himself at Kyaing-Kwintaung, situated about midway between Kawlin and Wuntho and on February 22 a force under the command of Captain T.A.H. Davies attacked the stronghold and killed 50 dacoits. A similar action at Okkan on the same day crushed the rebellion.
Creator: Beato, Felix, fl 1850-1891, photographer.

For genral information about the British Army, including records see the FIBIS Fibiwiki page British Army
http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=British_Army

Cheers
Maureen

[archway69]

Hi many thanks for your reply that was just what i was looking for, i have managed to find the second photo(The assault on Kyaing-Kwintaung Stockade by the Coy 2nd Devon) but struggling a bit to find the first photo, but there is alot of infomation there for me to digest so thanks again for your reply.

[crimea1854]

Hi

His service record is available on the Find My Past pay to view website. According to his papers, and the IGS 1854 medal roll his Regt No. is 253, and he was a Segt. at the time he left the army. In addition to his campaign medal he was also awarded the Long Service Good Conduct Medal.

If you have a problem accessing his record on the above site, let me know and I will see how I can help.

According to the 1911 Census his wifes name was Emma, and he had been married for 12 years. A check of the BDM index has a Robert Sweet marrying Emma Webber in the Exeter District, Oct-Dec quarter 1889, vol 5b, page 149. I know this to be the correct marriage, because on leaving the army he gave Mrs Webber's address as his residence, so I take it this is his mother-in-law.

Martin

[archway69]

Hi many thanks for all your information I will have to subscribe to the find my past website and see what I can find out, thank you so much for taking the time to find out all this information