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23 November 2006
Sir, I discovered your site while surfing the net for information on
the 3rd Light Dragoons. My interest concerns my great, great, grandfather
Henry Goater who joined the regiment as a corporal in India in 1837 and
was promoted to sergeant schoolmaster. He served in that capacity for
12 years 61 days before being discharged at Umballa on 30 September 1850
with impaired vision and worn out by long service in India. I would be
interested if you have any information concerning the work in which he
was engaged.
Philip Goater
23 November 2006
Philip, The first thing we need to do in the way of trying to help is
to check the records. For this, I have to pass your inquiry to my colleague,
Peter Goble, who has transcribed a number of registers. Being familiar
with the state of education in the 1830s when the monitorial system of
teaching was still in use, I doubt if Peter will unearth much useful
information. The Normal School for training army schoolteachers was not
begun until 1847. Before that, the historical record is murky. If you
want more information on the state of army education during the first
half of the 19th Century I'd recommend The Charity of Mars, which is
a history of the Royal Military Asylum (1908-1880) copies of which Peter
Goble has for sale. However, let's find out what my colleague has to
offer first.
Art C
Art, Thanks for your Email regarding the JU88 story. I don't quite know
what to say really. The incident is firmly lodged in my mind and I know
several other boys kicking a football about on the grass in front of
the Hotel saw it as well. It would be nice to know if anyone else can
recall the incident. It was of course double British summertime and quite
light until at least 10 pm, but as you have gone to great lengths to
observe accuracy, in particular the weather conditions, I support your
comments regarding posting the story. However, I think that perhaps you
should know a little more about me before I offer any further comment.
I think I was probably the only boy in the school at the time who made
and flew model aeroplanes and I used to launch them from the centre
top balcony of the hotel. I had been avidly interested in aircraft
from about 7 years of age and by the time I joined the school after
the bombing of London and Southend where I was living, I could recognise
practically anything that flew. Still can as it happens! When I reached
15, I sat a competitive examination all on my own in the headmaster's
study downstairs, for entry into the RAF as a Royal Air Force Apprentice
and was successful. After 4 years training, I spent most of my ten
years subsequent service on detachment from Boscombe Down on "Hot and High" research
at Khartoum and Singapore. When I left, I joined Miles Aircraft as
an Inspector and flight test observer, finishing my civilian career
as a manager for Beagle Aircraft. So, you can see that it was highly
unlikely that I could have been mistaken in identifying the aircraft,
even at that tender age. So, where does that leave us?
There are three possibilities as I see it:-
(a) I am suffering from "False memory" syndrome.
(b) I was mistaken in identifying the aircraft or, most likely,
(c) I saw the whole thing at a later date after the capture of the aircraft.
I understand that the aircraft was on display in Barnstaple after its
capture, later fitted with a tail plane section from an Anson and flown
to Farnborough for evaluation. Perhaps it was a test flight I saw. Anyhow,
very difficult to establish after all this time and I can only say that
I saw what I saw! Be nice to dredge up somebody else who saw it as well.
Colin
Corps of Army Schoolmasters
14 November 2006
I've just purchased an EVII Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
named to: SCHOOLMASTER A.W. WARREN. C. of A. S. This is what I know presently:
Alfred William Warren
Born: Tavistock, Devon on 1 JAN 1870
1881 Census - at Tavistock, Devon. Father was Robert Warren (41), a baker/confectioner,
mother Mary A. Warren (43) + 4 brothers appointed Schoolmaster on 1 JAN
1900 (in the ranks [regiment unknown] for 8 years prior to that) posted
to Plymouth as Army Schoolmaster - at Plymouth for 1901 Census posted
to Duke of York's Royal Military School, Chelsea as a Master on 8 AUG
1903 retired on 8 AUG 1910
I'm having a researcher root around in the National Archives to see if
there are papers on Warren in WO/97 and any other sources he can find.
Then I thought of you, and wondered if you might have other information
on A.W.W. in your files/data bases. I knew at the very least that you'd
be interested in the existence of this medal. I bought it without knowledge
of the fact that he had been a Master at the Duke of York's RMS - a wonderful
find when I resorted to looking in a Hart's Annual Army List, and then
a couple of British Census returns.
Irv Mortenson
15 November 2006
Irv, There is little or no information available within the records
held at the NA for the RMA & the CASM. For the time that you are
researching. I have started to construct a DB on the pupil teachers etc
that were trained at the RMA & DYRMS, passing the data on to the
Logistics Museum. A definitive list has been set up, and the relevant
detail on your WO W. H. WARREN is attached. The next set of information
will be the 1911 Census, which will perhaps confirm he is still there
as a teacher? For some strange reason, many of the early records of
the CASM have been lost, fortunately their museum returned to the PRO
records of the RMA covering Punishment Ledgers 1852-1879, And the Normal
School Offences registers 1862-1870, quite eye opening
To the best of my knowledge, this database is the only record held,
made up with letters, diaries, medal lists etc by the curator of the
AGC Museum. If you need further confirmation , the Curator of the museum
is most helpful & can be approached Ian BAILEY agc-museum@milnet.uk.net,
For your useless info file the regimental numbers of 400 of the CASM
are between 7720401 and 7720806, many of them in numerical order. Of
the 400 possible numbers in this group, only 58 are missing. The rank
structure covers , Sgt. WO2; WO!, Lt, Capt, Major, Lt Colonel, Col, Brigadier
and also a Wing Commander, perhaps he was there for the high fliers?
As with the regimental numbering, blocks were allocated for each regiment,
so too it appears were the CASM. If you can spare an image of his cluster,
Pip, Squeak & Wilfred etc, it will be appreciated.
Peter
15 November 2006
Peter, it's good to be back in touch with you as well! I appreciate
your taking time to consider my Schoolmaster. However, I'm afraid the
Schoolmaster Warren you found isn't the same fellow I'm dealing with.
My man is Alfred William Warren - not William Henry Warren whose information
you sent. I'd surely like to find W. H. Warren's medals sometime. A lovely
grouping to be sure, But back to A.W. Warren. I've downloaded his 1901
Census details, and found him living at 294 Sea View Avenue, St. Jude's,
Plymouth, Devon. His occupation is shown as Army Schoolmaster, he is
31 years old, born Tavistock, Devon 1 January 1870. Also at home was
his wife, Lena (30), a daughter Gladys L. N. Warren (5) born in South
Africa, and his widowed mother, Mary A. Warren (64). He was appointed
a Schoolmaster on 1 January 1900 and posted to Plymouth. He was in the
ranks [regiment unknown] for 8 years before his appointment as a Warrant
Schoolmaster (thus enlisting circa 1896). According to the Hart's Army
List for 1904, he was posted to Duke of York's Royal Military School,
Chelsea, as a Master on 8 August 1903, retired on 8 August 1910.
Thus his service details don't match those of Wm H. Warren. Might you
have anything to A. W. W. elsewhere in your data base? If not, let me
know, and I'll send you whatever I come up with when I get A.W.W.'s papers
from Kevin Asplin who'll be at the National Archives this coming Saturday.
Irv
18 November 2006
Kevin Asplin just sent me *.jpg images of 4 pages of the Attestation,
and 3 pages of Discharge papers or Schoolmaster Alfred William Warren.
I attach copies of these for your information. He had 18 years and 219
days service, including five years in South Africa, and was made a Warrant
Schoolmaster in 1901, being discharged at the DYS in August of 1910.
You might find his story of interest. His wife was born in Shepton Mallet,
Somerset. They married at Winchester 21 August 1894.
16 November 2006
Irv, (Concerning Schoolmaster James Calnan) I'm still recovering and
the minor error crept through. If there is a record there I am sure that
the Bursar will realise that the X names have been reversed. Serendipity
strikes. As I was sorting out the images to their correct locations when
I came across a James CALNAN of the 60th (of Foot) was there as a trainee
schoolmaster. Another name, and a report for your eclectic collection
WO/143/50 Normal School Offences ledger 1860-1870 page 91. In the ten
year coverage, only one for the Rifle Brigade was there. We are still
trying to establish just how long the trainees were at the RMA, perhaps
when I analyse, it may appear
Peter
16 November 2006
Peter, I did a quick check in the Casualty List for the 2/60th Rifles
1860-1870 and found: 1288 Pte J. A. Calnan died Lucknow 18.9.1876 E/60257.
I checked all of the 60th Medal rolls 1853-1878 and found no Calnan therein.
If this is the same fellow, perhaps he didn't get his Schoolmaster rank,
and was returned to the Regiment for duty.
Irv
23 November 2006
Mr Goble, my Head of History has tried without success in finding out
any information for you on Alfred William Warren having examined the
minutes of Commissioners meetings and any Chronicles that we hold. He
considers that the only possible avenue could be the records of the Army
education Corps - which you may be able to access through the curator
of the AGC museum. More positively role no. 10092 is WILLIAM THOMAS MEDWAY.
I hope this is all helpful. With best regards.
Lt Col R Say, Bursar
24 November 2006
Irv, Unfortunately no records are available at the DYRMS. The only
data available at the AGC Museum is on the DB the curator sent on to
me. If its OK with you, I will forward the details & JPEGS you
attached. At least they will have some accurate data and know that
you have? His medals and a photograph. As you say it must be him.
Peter
24 November 2006
I am writing a booklet on the history of Dover Town, in conjunction
with Dover Museum and Dover Town Council and would like to include a
small piece (approx. 30 words) about the history of Duke of York's in
the town. Please can you help? Looking forward to hearing from you
Lorraine Sencicle
24 November 2006
Lorraine, Off the top of my head, what about this?
Boys of the Duke of York's Royal Military School took up residence in
1909. Their lively presence has proved a welcome addition to Dover life
for almost a hundred years.
Thirty words does not allow much room. Still, it's better to write of
people (boys) not simply an amorphous institution (the school) in connection
with one of the great Cinque ports of the realm!
Art C
25 November 2006
Mike, I am writing on the recommendation of Lorraine Sencicle, who is
writing a booklet for the Dover Museum as commissioned by Dover Town
Council. I contributed a short passage on the Duke of York's School by
request. With this introduction, Lorraine thought you might be able to
help in the following matter. Some years ago, a society (probably English
heritage or some such organisation) brought a contingent of Belgae and
Dutch to Dover to re-enact the Battle of Waterloo somewhere near Dover
Castle, on the Dover Downs I should think. The event would have to have
been reported in the local press; or at least registered with the Friends
of Dover Castle. I'm interested in getting background info and, possibly,
reports on the event for this reason.
In Vancouver, BC, I met Brian Siborne, a descendent of Captain Wm. Siborne,
Adjutant (1843-49) of the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea. Captain Siborne
built a diorama of the Battle of Waterloo now in the National Army Museum,
London. Doing his research, Siborne discovered that Wellington lied (which
is to say, committed a gross sin of omission) about the arrival of the
Prussians on the field of battle. For his temerity in questioning the
great commander, Siborne was ostracised by the Horse Guards and denied
payment for the job he'd been commissioned to do. The outfit that organised
the re-enactment, invited Brian Siborne to attend the event and presented
his 7-year old son with a small model based on the larger diorama. I
am after any reports of the event. Would the 'Friends of Dover Castle'
have a record? I am awaiting word from Brian Siborne of the year in which
the event occurred.
Art C
27 November 2006
Art, Thank you for your Email. I am not able to help with any reports
on a contingent of Belgiums and Dutch re-enact of the Battle of Waterloo.
We have had over the last 20 years many re-enactments organized by English
Heritage at Dover Castle. Howard Giles was the expert at English Heritage
and was responsible for organising re-enactments but he has moved. I
have found the website below on the search engines http://www.historicalfilmservices.com/hfs%20about%20howard.htm
I hope you are able to enlist the help of Howard Giles. Talking to the
bursar, Lt Col Roger Say, the Duke of York Royal Military School is looking
to celebrate 1909 when the school moved to Dover.
Mike (Farrell)
The Honourable East India Company
2 November 2006
Hello! was searching the internet for information on a British soldier
and came across your site. Hope you don't mind me emailing and asking
for some of your input. I have come across some items related to a man
named Colonel George Pogarty Ricketts (or possibly Rickets) and would
very much like to know if he was awarded the Army of India Medal or any
other medals or which units he may have been in. I believe he was born
in 1774 and died in 1818. His uniform is in my possession and it is blue-grey
with scarlet collars and cuffs. The uniform has silver buttons named
Laswaree 1 Cavalry (1st Laswaree Cavalry?). I also have another uniform
which may be related to him which has Bengal Staff Corps buttons. This
second uniform is scarlet with black cuffs and collar. Digging around
on the internet has given me some leads about this fellow. I found that
a George Ricketts married a lady named Sophia Pierce in 1800 in Calcutta
but that fellow has a different middle name. Also, searching using the
name's Laswaree, Laswarree and Leswaree have led me to a clue that he
may have been in the 25th or 29th Light Dragoon's based on the colour
of his blue-grey uniform. Thanks for your time and Best Regards,
Jeff
2 November 2006
Jeff, With regret, you have come to the wrong place for the sort of
information you're seeking. This site deals almost exclusively with aspects
of the history of British Army military schools including the admission
registers. I recommend that you search the site of the National Archives,
Kew, which provides and excellent service for
researchers.
Art
2 November 2006
Jeff, Get yourself a Yahoo email account, and subscribe britregiments.
Follow the list for a few days, then slot your query to the list. They
are most helpful. If they don't know ,then they will certainly be able
to point you in the right direction. britregiments@yahoogroups.com
Peter
Searching for Austin Yeates
11 November 2006
Art, Colin Holmes has passed me onto you, as my dad Austin Yeates and
uncle Stanley were in the Duke of Yorks. I have attached some photos
of my dad; do you know any of the other boys? My dad was in Dukies from
about 1937 to about 1943. He was born in 1928. He was in the band, playing
the flute, then the base drum. Colin says you have some footage of the
boys playing and that you have given him a copy. Would it be possible
for you to get me a copy of this please? My dad also won a boxing match,
apparently! Also if you do know of my dad or uncle I would love to know
any info! I look forward to hearing from you
Denise
11 November 2006
Denise, Thanks for your e-mail and the photographs of your father.
You've come to the right place. I remember him from my days at the
school although he and I were not personal friends, so I can't tell
you what he was like in a fight or whether he threw his bread across
the table, or tipped someone out of bed on "maring-up night".
Nevertheless, with my friend and colleague, Peter Goble, who provides
so many correspondents with sound advice, we might be able to help.
I'm forwarding a copy of this exchange to Peter. The form in which
you've transmitted the photographs of your dad make it difficult for
me to pluck them off the page and put them in a file. We stand a good
chance of identifying the others in the photographs.
I get the impression your father is dead. When did he die? What can
you can me about him? The reason I need to know is that we have to work
out how to publish your photographs and get others who were at Dover
and Saunton Sands during his time to tell us what they know. I'm not
sure, but I believe your father was in Wolsey House. (Getting information)
might take a while; I'll see what we can do. As to the footage of that
period, Colin's right. The question is how best to get this and other
interesting snippets we have. Are you by chance on Skype? (see www.skype.com)
because that's the easiest way to transfer large files. If not, they
would have to come on a CD. For that we'll need your mailing address.
Peter will tell you how to get more information from the school Bursar
[I leave that to him]. Meanwhile, think about what you know of your father
and Uncle Stanley and tell me; we may be able to write an article to
post on the website.
Art
13 November 2006
Art, Thanks for coming back to me. How great that you remember my dad,
shame that you can't tell me some stories though! but by the way he was,
I am sure the points you mentioned he must of done! Peter has been in-touch
and I have emailed him the photos in separate files, which might be easier
for him to use. I have done this for you too. Yes, unfortunately my father
died on the 12th June 2007. He was a very knowledgeable, caring man.
After he left Dukies he worked as an apprentice, then he was called up
and posted to Egypt as a driver (so not in real danger, I have attached
an army photo of him). After the war he worked as a Carpenter-joiner
owning his own company. He was very good at it a perfectionist in every
way. My brother Brian joined the company and they changed to specialising
in staircase manufacturing, which my brother has carried on.
Although Dad was strict, we thank him now for turning us into respectable
people, although we didn't appreciate it when we were growing up! His
death was mainly due to the fault of our G. P. who had misdiagnosed him
for many years. He is deeply missed, but we are very proud of him. This
is just a quickie about him. Is there anything else you would like to
know? His date of birth was 18/12/1928. The house he was in I thought
he Wolf! My Uncle Stanley also went into the army and, after the war,
went into insurance. He is still alive, living in Mitcham. I will look
out some photo's of him and some more info.
Unfortunately I am not on Skype for you to send me the footage and other
info. Therefore could you please send it to me on CD, I will give you
the business address [supplied]. Please let me know how much I owe you
for doing this for me. I can't wait to see my uncles face when I show
him. Your help is really appreciated.
Denise
13 November 2006
Hello Denise,
Thanks for your 13 Nov. note and separated images; also for the additional
info. A picture is beginning to emerge. I've exchanged notes with Peter
who is off to the National Archives, Kew, tomorrow on a periodic research
trip. Between us, we'll help you resurrect your Dad's history. Peter
is younger than me. He didn't join the school until after the war, so
he wouldn't have known your father. Being his contemporary, I'm more
likely to recollect our common experience. I would have been in Egypt
about the time he was there; this points up the importance of detail
you've given though it might seem of little importance to you.
I gather from your note that he left school for a civilian life from
your writing "...he worked as an apprentice then was called up and
posted to Egypt..." This indicates he did not enlist directly
from school. [Most of us went straight on to serve army apprenticeships
or to become musicians in military bands.] Was his mother alive when
he left school? Did he serve in the RASC (Service Corps), RAOC (Ordnance
Corps) or what? He was barely three months older than me. The minimum
age for admission being nine, he couldn't have joined until late 1938
or early 1939; we could have been in the same intake. He would have
left in 1943, the same year I left. I suggest that you contact your
Uncle Stanley and ask him for more information? Was he the elder or
younger of the brothers? What was their father's military service?
Your Dad could have been in Wolfe House, but not, I think, if he was
a fifer. I need to check with Peter if this was a fife and drums company
(or the 'spit and dribbles' as we recognized the fife and bugle band).
I thought Wolsey, Roberts and Kitchener were the houses in which musicians
were taught in our day. I'll find out. [Roberts was damaged beyond occupation
for the duration of the war.]
I distributed the page of photographs to about 25 people who were at
school at this time and whom I am able to contact. Unfortunately, ex-Dukies
are not the most communicative people. We have among us some brilliant
achievers: surgeons, doctors of medicine, divinity and philosophy, officers
of field rank, scientists, musicians, engineers and scholars, but getting
them to respond to inquiries one might as well ask paupers to financially
support National Welfare. Still, if what I've tried doesn't work we'll
take another tack.
Thanks for the mailing address. Not divulging your private address on
line is understandable and not a matter to be taken lightly for, as you
say, one never knows. As I happen to be in Canada and have so far managed
to avoid acquiring a criminal record, you're on pretty safe ground, which
you can take or leave as you wish. You were kind enough to send those
photographs, which are simply splendid, so I'll reciprocate with one
of my crew. Sarah on the right died in 2001 but the rest of us are in
good health. Sarah was a Canadian mountie for 20 years - one for law
and order, naturally. John, standing next to her, has his own consulting
company; next to him is Emma, in a manner of speaking the sole recidivist
of the family, now living in Stamford, Lincs., but an otherwise brilliant
and bonny young woman; next to her is my wife Charlotte; then comes Kate,
marketing director of an engineering. I'm at the end; the less said about
me the better.
I'll mail you a CD on Wednesday (today being a national holiday and
tomorrow a day of appointments in Toronto, it's not possible to post
it sooner). There's no charge for the CD or any other information we
provide for that matter. You're welcome to what we have. If it would
salve your conscience, you can make a donation to the website, which
costs money to maintain, but that's optional. Don't feel obligated in
any way. Now see what you can do with your Uncle Stanley while Peter
and I work on revealing other strands of your father's life. What I knew
of him I liked and those photographs of him in later life show a gentle,
thoughtful and considerate man.
Art
14 November 2006 (in response to a circular letter of inquiry)
Hi, The person with the 4 chevrons on each arm of his Jacket is Peter
Cartwright who to the best of my knowledge died in Malaya while on patrol.
The boy in the middle I feel sure is named Bell (Wolf house); we were
friends. I recognise all the boys but have problems putting names to
them; just remembered, the boy left hand top photo boy on right is Oxley.
I boxed him in the ring. I think they are Wolf boys except for Peter
Cartwright. H was Wolseley. At a guess the elder of the two ladies could
be one of the matrons and the young one perhaps Adjutant Major Hurt's
daughter. Will work on the others, just a matter of opening the right
file.
George McCarthy
14 November 2006
George, Thanks a million. You've restored my faith in ex-Dukies; that
some out there in the world beyond my neck of the woods can still put
pen to paper. There's a less than four per cent response to circular
inquiries of this kind. What's more, your identifying Peter lays a ghost
from my own past. I heard through the grapevine that he died while leading
a patrol in Malaya; drowning in an attempt to save one of his men. He
was one of at least two Cartwrights at Saunton as I recall. There might
even have been three there. I recall having a bare knuckle fight with
Peter in a corridor on the second or third floor and coming off second
best. It was arranged by those agent provocateurs who infest every school.
I didn't know Peter, hadn't met him before. A CSM broke up the fight
and made us report to Dusty Miller to settle our dispute with boxing
gloves. Thanks again for the info.
Art
Royal Hibernian Military School
16 November 2006
[Continuing from September & October correspondence]
Domonic, I have found an entry for a W G PARKES, in the discharge index
for the RHMS WO143/26. Unfortunately, there is only the name, petition
No, and his Hib Number 14321. The original records were sent to the Records
Office shortly after the last boy departed. These records were destroyed
in 1942 during an air raid. I can't think where else to search. A possibility
was the AEC museum, but I have had a negative result from them. I am
sorry to say that I have to close the book on him. The good news of course,
is that his name is recorded and has been found. An image of the relevant
page is attached
Peter
21 November 2006
(Concerning William Radford) Sir, I periodically check the web for
references to the Royal Hibernian Military School, and discovered that
your William RADFORD attended the RHMS & later returned as
a schoolmaster.
Peter, I believe we have been in contact before. My William Radford
was in RHMS under a pseudonym, probably Young or Watson, sometime after
1883 and graduated at age 17 in 1886 when he was inducted into the army,
probably the 11th Hussars, and seconded back as a tutor in mathematics.
He left the school and army c.1890 to get married claiming he was improperly
inducted and was employed by an Irish railway before the army formally
admitted he was right. His father under the pseudonym served in Dundalk
and Dublin, leaving the army in Liverpool in 1890 so was probably in
the 5th Dragoon Guards. Because of the use of a pseudonym, I have been
unable to verify the story but have found some corroborative evidence:
I have two photographs of him in the frocked-coat worn by tutors. His
employment at the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland was acknowledged
by the Irish Railway Historical Society. His RHMS education and Irish
railway service was shown in a biography appearing in Canadian Railway
and Marine World when he received a promotion at a railway in Canada
(and later in his obituary) and he was an early member of the General
Mercer Masonic Lodge in Toronto which restricted its membership to ex-military.
Bob Radford
22 November 2006
Robert, Sorry for the delay, but I needed time to reflect. If your
William was an Army Schoolmaster, then he must have attended one of
the courses held at the RHMS. Contenders were selected from suitable
Hib Boys, those chosen would have been either a monitor of class; promoted
to Pupil Teacher or Student. Courses were also conducted at the RMA,
but there are no indications of any transfers between schools during
this period. The rest of the potential schoolmaster class will have
responded to an advert in the local papers and sat a written examination
on the core subjects. I have extracted all the Monitors, Pupil Teachers & Students that
were there at the time suggested. The list is attached. Other than a
séance, I can't see any way out of this impasse. Perhaps a pointer
may be hidden in the attached list.
Peter Goble
27 November 2006
On your website (I) cannot find my great grandfathers name; his army
records say he attended the Royal Hibernian Military school.
His name was John Richardson
Date of Birth 18th October 1859
Enlisted into the Corps of Schoolmasters in December 1885.
Can you see if you have any information on him. He saw service in the
uk and India (where he served twice) He reached the rank of warrant officer
2nd class.
Caroline Norman
27 November 2006
Caroline, I have a copy of the Admissions ledger WO143/78 for the
period 1847 to 1877. The name of your relative does not appear in this
ledger. As he was born in 1859 he could have been admitted at age 8
and discharged at 14 or 1867 to 1873. There is a Robert J RICHARDSON,
but the birthdays do not match. Unfortunately the Census records for
Ireland & the
RHMS were destroyed. Have you checked the census for 1871, at that
time he will have been 12, if in England, then he will be noted as
a scholar living with his parents. For the 1881 census at 22, again
an address would establish his employment
As your relative enlisted into the Corps of Army Schoolmaster at age
26, it is possible that he attended the RHMS or the Royal Military
Asylum, Chelsea, as a student schoolmaster. Following a training course
of up to 2 years he would have been graded as a Schoolmaster Grade
(3 or 4) & sent
on to either his original Regiment or to a regiment chosen by the infant
CASM. There are no records extant re the CASM courses after 1870. Those
attending at the time of the 1871, 1881,1891,1901 census are named
within the RMA Census pages. Other records of the RHMS were destroyed
in 1942.
If your grandfather's enlistment papers have a printed line "Educated
at the RMA RHMS", there has to be a TICK or YES entered in ink,
it is a statistic indicator, no tick or mark, then not educated at
the two schools. It is conceivable that your grandfather joined the
CASM as qualified schoolmaster. The 1881 Census of England may clarify
this question. I am also working with the curator of the CASM Museum
collecting data re Army Schoolmasters. Your grandfather's name has
yet to be added.
Peter Goble
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