2222 Pte John Britton

[Sue.Fretwell]

The above enlisted age 20 in 1831 in what was described as the First Foot and served 16 years, ending up in the Grenadier Guards. He spent 4.5 years in Canada somewhere along the line (no dates in records) and was discharged in 1847 from the Chelsea Pensioners Hospital. According to the medical record he was discharged due to paralysis, after a fever which left him without the use of his limbs, and bedridden for 13 months. A comment from the doctor is that this was probably hereditary and he had a predisposition - sounds as though they werent taking responsibility! He may not have been much of a soldier as he as only a Private after 16 years and had only 1 good conduct mark.

After discharge he returned back to his home in Norfolk and died in 1849 in Docking Union Poorhouse.

Can anyone suggest where he may have been during his 4.5 years in Canada, and what may have caused the fever and paralyis? It was the fact that he died at a fairly young age in the Poorhouse that made me research him (he is brother to my 2 great grandmother).

Thanks in anticipation

Sue

[Waggoner]

Sue,

If he was in the Guards when he was in Canada, he would have served in the Quebec City/Montreal area. Following the outbreak of the rebellions in late 1837, there was a large reinforcement of troops sent to Canada. This included a brigade of guards. You find out more by looking up a book about the rebellions or googling it. I will check and send you a book suggestion later today.

All the best,

Gary

[Waggoner]

Sue,

I can recommend A Particular Duty: The Canadian Rebellions, 1837-1839 by Michael Mann (Salisbury, Wiltshire: Michael Russell, 1986).

According to it, the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards arrived at Quebec City on 9 May 1838. In November 1838, they were part of a force sent to disperse a body of rebels at Napierville not far from the Amercian border. The rebels fled as the troops advanced. They were sent down the Richelieu River towards Lake Champlain in January 1839 in response to another threated invasion from the United States. In February, they were relocated to Montreal. The situation along the border eventually calmed down and they returned to Quebec City in April 1840. They returned to England in September 1842.

All the best,

Gary

[Sue.Fretwell]

Thank you for your prompt responses, I will have a look at the recommended book.

Having googled the possible causes of paralysis with fever as a symptom, infection through ticks seem a possibility - would ticks have posed a risk in the areas mentioned? We certainly have them in the Spanish campo.

Sue