The regiment was posted shortly after in the Ionian Islands, where William married Mary Ann Gutridge and they had a son Sebastian Hodge 'born off the Isle of Zante in the Mediaterranean' according to his death certificate. Mary Ann was probably the daughter of a fellow 11th Regt of Foot soldier, and appears to have been quite young. The Ionian Islands, Chaplains Returns marriages shows and entry for the marriage of William Hodge to Mary Ann Gutridge at Santa Maura (reference 11 127 - 129 written in margin?) and in time it is hoped this will reveal more of Mary Ann's origins.
In 1841 William and family can be found staying at an Inn at Barnstaple, Devon (the regiment being stationed elsewhere in Devon). Present are:
William Hodge, 30, Serjt 11th Regt Foot, born Devon
Mary Hodge, 20, not born Devon
Sebastian Hodge, 8, not born Devon
Emily Hodge, 4, not born Devon
Sarah Hodge, 1, born Devon.
William and Mary Ann ultimately came to NSW with their children when the 11th Regt arrived in 1845. William discharged from the 11th in 1850 due to ill health, and the family appear to have moved to Gundagai where William died on 11 Apr 1863. He has no headstone.
When William died his children were listed as {details found in brackets, including details on deceased children thanks to work from Steve Hodge, NZ}:
Sebastian 29 {b abt 1833, also enlisted 11th Regt, married Harriet SMITH, daughter of another 11th Regt member in Sydney 1855. Died 1889 Sydney Australia.}
Mary Anne 20 {b abt 1843, married Peter REARDON at Gundagai 1861, died 1919}
Caroline 18 {born 1845, baptised at Gillingham St Mary Madgalene, Kent, England - 11th stationed at nearby Brompton Barracks, married James LYNCH 1865 at Limestone Inn, Five-mile Creek, near Gundagai, died 1930 at Annandale NSW}
William Maitland 14 {b 27 Aug 1848, Victoria Barracks, Sydney, marred Bridget Broderick abt 1874, Victoria}
Tempest Jane 12 {23 Mar 1851, South Head Rd Sydney, married William ROWLEY 1868 at St John's Church, Gundagai, died 1884 Bega NSW}
Dead: One boy and four girls
{Known to include:
Elizabeth - Ionian Islands, Chaplains Returns baptisms shows an Elizabeth Hodge baptised at Cephalonia - deceased by 1841
Emily - b abt 1837, Ionian Islands, Chaplains Returns baptisms shows an Emily Hodge baptised at Corfu, and she appears in the 1841 census. Presumed to have died before 1845.
Sarah - b abt 1840 in Devon, as shown in the 1841 census}
William's widow Mary Ann HODGE nee GUTRIDGE re-married in 1864 (the year after her husbands death) at St Patrick's Church, Gundagai, to William Thomas WEST, a widower and miner of Gundagai. Her occupation was described as 'housekeeper' - her daughter's unique name of Tempest as a witness confirming the correct Mary Ann Hodge. Mary Ann died at Gundagai in 1877.
Much remains to be learnt of the family. To this end I recently obtained William Hodge's discharge papers (which includes enlistment details) from the National Archives in the UK. These records were kept as William had collected a pension after his discharge. The enlistment/discharge papers (scanned by Steve Hodge in NZ) and his transcript are included below.
WO 97 Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers Service Documents.
Subseries within WO 97 1760-1854: discharge papers arranged by regiment, but each described at item level. (WO 97/1-1271)
WO 97/326 11th Foot: Hamm - Kea
Record Summary - Scope and content
WILLIAM HODGE
Born BARNSTAPLE, Devonshire
Served in 11th Foot Regiment
Discharged aged 41
Covering dates 1827-1850
Transcript of the above papers in order:
1.
ATTESTATION FOR REGIMENTS.
I William Hodge do make oath that I am or have been a Labourer and to the best of my knowledge and Belief was born in the Parish of Barnstaple in the County of Devon, and that I am of the age of Eighteen Years; that I do not belong to the Militia, or to any other Regiment, or to His Majesty's Navy or Marines, and that I will serve His Majesty, his Heirs, and Successors, until I shall be legally discharged.
Witness my Hand,
Sworn before me, at Barnstaple this seventh Day of March, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty seven
Wm Hodge (signature of the Recruit)
Signature of the Magistrate - Henry Nicholls, Mayor of Barnstaple
W Palmer, Serj 11 Foot, Witness present
to wit - I Henry Nicholls - one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace of the Borough of Barnstaple do hereby Certify, that William Hodge appearing to be Eighteen Years old, Five Feet 8 1/4 Inches, fair Complexion, Hazell Eyes, L. Brown Hair, came before me at Barnstaple on the Seventh Day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty seven and stated himself to be the Age of eighteen Years, and that he had no Rupture, and was not troubled with Fits, and was no ways disabled by Lameness, Deafness, or otherwise, but had the perfect Use of his Limbs and Hearing, and was not an Apprentice; and acknowledged that he had voluntarily inlisted himself, for the Bounty of Three Pounds to serve His Majesty King George the Fourth, his Heirs and Successors, in the Eleventh Regiment of Foot, commanded by General Sir H.J. ?? until he should be legally discharged. And I do hereby certify, that in my Presence, the Third and Fourth Articles of the Second Section, and the First Article of the Sixth Section, of the Articles of War against Mutiny and Desertion were read over to him, and that he took the oath of Fidelity mentioned in the said Articles of War, and also the Oath to the effect abvove set forth; and that he received the Sum of Two Shillings, Six Pence on being attested, and that I have given to the said William Hodge a duplicate of this Certificate signed with my Name.
Henry Nicholls - signature of the magistrate
I have examined the above named Recruit, and find him Fit for His Majecsty's service. Signature of the Surgeon.
N.B. The Magistrate is requested to cause the dates of the Month in each instance to be inserted with Words, not in Figures, annd to notice the Particulars contained in the Memorandum.
2.
ARTICLES OF WAR.
Third and Fourth Articles of the Second Section.
3. Any Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, or Soldier, who shall beging, excite, cause, or join in any Mutiny, or Sedition, in the Regiment, Troop, or Company, to which he belongs, or in any other Regiment, Troop, or Company, in HIS MAJESTY'S Service, or in any Party, Post, Detachment, or Guard, on any Pretence whatsoever, shall suffer Death, or such other Punishment as by a General Court Martial shall be awarded.
4. Any Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, or Soldier, who being present at any Mutiny, or Sedition shall not use his utmost Endeavour to suppress the same, or coming to the Knowledge of an Mutiny, or intended Mutiny, shall not, wihout delay, give Information thereof to his Commanding Officer, shall suffer Death, or such other Punishment as by a General Court Martial shall be awarded.
First Aricle of the Sixth Section
All Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, in HIS MAJESTY'S Service, who shall be convicted of having deserted the same, shall suffer Death, or such other Punishment as by a General Court Martial shall be awarded.
Oath of Fidelity
I swear to be true to Our Sovereign Lord KING GEORGE, and to serve HIM honestly and faithfully in Defence of HIS PERSON, CROWN and DIGNITY, against all His Enemies or Opposers whatsoever. And to observe and obey HIS MAJESTY's Orders, and the Orders of the Generals and Officers set over me by HIS MAJESTY.
Surgeon's Certificate.
I Certify that I have ths day examined William Hodge a Recruit of the Eleventh Regiment of Foot and find that he has no Rupture, nor sore Leg, nor Mark of any old Ulcer, with adhesion of the Skin to the Bone, no Phthisis Pulmonalis, or Asthma, or Tendency to Varicose Veins; that his Lungs appear to be sound, and his Breathing good, that he has the perfect use of his Eyes and Ears, and the free motion of every Joint and Limb; no Distortion of his Knees, or Deformity of this Body, that he has no Serophulous Affection of the Glands, nor inveterate Eruptions, no Scald Head, no diseased Enlargement of Bones or Joints, that his general Appearance is Healthy, free from Marks of Punishment, and seems in every respect for His Majesty's Service.
Dated at Barnstaple this Sixth Day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred + Twenty Seven.
3.
NOTICE
ANY Man who is enrolled in the Militia, and who upon offering to enlist into the Arm, denies he belongs to the Militia, is liable upon Conviction before a Magistrate, to be committed to Prison for Six Months, over and above any other Penalty or Punishment which he may thereby incur for obtaining Money on false pretences.
DECLARATION OF THE RECRUIT
I William Hodge do hereby acknowledge that the above Notice has been read over to me, and that I was strictly questioned by Sgt James Palmer 11th Foot whether I did, or did not belong to the Militia, and that I answered that I did not. I also hereby declare that I did not then, and do not now, belong to the Militia.
(signed) Wm Hodge - signature of the Recruit
Signed in my Presence - Henry Nicholls, Mayor of Barnstaple (Justice of the Peace)
+This blank to be filled up by the name of the Non-Commissioned Officer or Man who actually enlisted the Recruit.
4.
11th Foot
B
473
Name William Hodge
Date Seventh March 1927
Finally approved
I hereby certify, that the above-named William Hodge was enlisted at Barnstaple on the 6th day of March 1827 by James Palmer Serg 11 Foot
Intermediably (?) approved Bristol 17th March 1827
Finally approved ?
5.
HER MAJESTY'S Eleventh REGT of Infantry
Whereof Lieut Gen Sir John Wilson KCB is Colonel.
Sydney NSWales 4th Decbr 1850
PROCEEDINGS OF A REGIMENTAL BOARD, held this day, in conformity to the Articles of War, for the purpose of verifying and recording the Services, Conduct, Character, and cause of Discharge of No. 599 Sergeany William Hodge of the Regiment abovementioned.
President. ?.C. Harold, Major 11 Regt
Members. ? Singeton, Major 11th, C.L. Blo? Capt. XI
THE BOARD having examined and compared the Regimenta Records, the Soldier's Book, and such other documents as appeared to them necessary, report that No.599 Sergt Wm. Hodge by Trade a Labourer was BORN in the Parish of Barnstaple in or near the Town of Barnstaple in the County of Devon and was attested for the 11th Regiment of Infantry at Barnstaple in the County of Devon on the 7 March 1827 at the Age of Eighteen Years that after making every Deduction required by Her Majesty's Regulations, the SERVICE up to 31 December 1850, which he is entitled to reckon, amounts to 23 years, 301 days, as shewn by the detailed Statement on the 2nd page; during which period, he served Abroad 16 8/12 years, viz.-
at Corfu 9 4/12 years,
in Halifax 2 1/12 years;
In the Australian Colonies 5 5/12
and further, that his DISCHARGE is proposed in consequence of Disability as detailed in the Medical Report
With regard to the CHARACTER and CONDUCT of No599 Sergt William Hodge the board have to report, that upon reference to the Defaulter's Book, and by the Parole testimony that has been given, it appears that his character has been good, - although it appears that he was tried by a Regt Court Marshall in having been drunk when in charge of the Main Guard at Wallingford {note: in Northamptonshire} on the 19th of Octb 1843, and was sentenced to be reduced to the ranks.
6.
First Enlisted into the Army for the 11th Regt of Foot on 6th March 1827. Attested for the said Regiment on the 7th March 1827 at the Age of Eighteen Years and - Months.
Regt: 11th
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: -
Rank: Private
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 6th March 1827
To: 31st Dec 1828
Amount of Service: 1 Year 301 Days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: -
Rank: Private
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 1st Jan 1829
To: 18th Feb 1835
Amount of Service: 6 Years 49 Days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: Promoted
Rank: Corporal
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 19th Feb 1835
To: 31st Dec 1836
Amount of Service: 1 Year 316 Days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: Promoted
Rank: Corporal
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 19th Feb 1835
To: 31st Dec 1836
Amount of Service: 1 Year 316 Days
Total of above: 9 years 301 days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties:
Rank: Corporal
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 1 Jan 1837
To: 12 Oct 1837
Amount of Service: 285 days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties:
Rank: Serjeant
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 13 Oct 1837
To: 31 ? 1843
Amount of Service: 4 years 170 days
Total of above: 15 years 24 days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: Promoted
Rank: Serjeant
Period of Service in each Rank
From: April 1842
To: 23 ? 184?
Amount of Service: 1 Year 286 Days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: Promoted
Rank: Private
Period of Service in each Rank
From: April 1842
To: 12 Sep 1844
Amount of Service: 324 Days
Promotions, Reductions and Casualties: Promoted
Rank: Corporal
Period of Service in each Rank
From: 31 Sep 1844
To: 31 Dec 1844
Amount of Service: 110 Days
Total of above: 17 years 301 days
7.
599 Segt William Hodge being asked to what date he has been paid, answered that his Account is balanced up to the latest period required by the Regulations; and being further asked whether he has any claim on the Regiment for arrears of PAY, ALLOWANCES, or CLOTHING, answered, that he has received all just demands, from his entry into the Service up to the 31 December 1850 and in confirmation therefore, affixes his signature hereto.
I acknowledge this to be true (signed) W Hodge
Witness (signed) Commanding the Company to which he belongs
The BOARD have ascertained that Serjeant William Hodge's Soldier's Book is correctly balanced, and signed by the Officer Commanding his Company, and they declare, that they have impartially enquired into, and faithfully reported upon all the matters brought before them, in accordance with the Regulations and Instructions issued by Her Majesty's Orders.
?.C. Harold Major President
(signed) Members
Detailed Statement of the Services of 599 Segt William Hodge
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc:
Rank: Private
From: 6 Mar 1827
To: 31 Dec 1828
Amount of Service: 1 year 301 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: -
Rank: Private
From: 1 Jan 1829
To: 18 Feb 1835
Amount of Service: 6 years 49 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: Promoted
Rank: Corporal
From: 19 Feb 1835
To: 31 Dec 1836
Amount of Service: 1 year 316 days
Closed being a Candidate for honorary distinction Badge
9 years 307 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: -
Rank: Corporal
From: 1 Jan 1837
To: 12 Oct 1837
Amount of Service: 285 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: Promoted
Rank: Serjeant
From: 13 Oct 1837
To: 31 Mar 1842
Amount of Service: 4 years 170 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: -
Rank: Serjeant
From: 1 Apr 1842
To: 23 Oct 1843
Amount of Service: 1 year 206 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: Reduced
Rank: Private
From: 24 October 1843
To: 12 Sep 1844
Amount of Service: 324 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: Promoted
Rank: Corporal
From: 13 Sep 1844
To: 31 Dec 1844
Amount of Service: 110 days
Total: 17 years 301 days
Regiment: 11th Foot
Promotions, Reductions etc: Promoted
Rank: Sergeant
From: 1 Jan 1843
To: 31 Dec 1850
Amount of Service: 6 years
Total of the foregoing statement: 23 years, 301 days
To the ___ when finally discharged: 133 days
Total service allowed to reckon to the final day so discharge: 24 years, 29 days
The foregoing Report is hereby confirmed by me (signed) Commanding 11th Regt. of Infantry
8.
MEDICAL REPORT - [In cases of Men to be Discharged as unfit for Service, the Regimental Medical Officer is to state here the nature and origin of the disability, and whether the same has been caused by the Man's Military Services, by Climate, by Constitutional Informity, or Predisposition, or is the result of indulgence in the use of Intoxicating Liquors, or other Vices. If from an Accident, under what circumstances the Accident occurred, and whether on or off Duty. In Opthalmic Cases, or other Disorders of the Eyes, it must be stated how the Disease was contracted, and whether the same was, or was not prevalent at the time in the Regiment, or at the Station.]
No. 599 Sergt William Hodge
Disability extensive ulceration on both legs, with ulceration to the bone from constitutional ? which have ? broken out since 1847. These have not been induced by ?, ? or ?.
(signed)
Surgeon XI Regt
OPINION of the Principal Medical Officer, at Sydney N.S.Wales. Having examined No 599 Serj William Hodge I find that he is subject to chronic ulceration of both legs accompanied with impaired constitution from age and long service which disqualify him from active military duties. (signed)
THE DISCHARGE of the Man above mentioned is approved by the Commander-in-Chief (signed)
DECISION OF THE CHELSEA BOARD
9.
WO Form 83
FINAL DESCRIPTION
No. 599 Serg Wm Hodge of the 11th Regt of Infantry when Discharted the Service.....
Age 41 9/12 years
Height 5 feet 11 inches
Hair Lt Brown
Eyes Hazel
Complexion Fair
Trade Labourer
Marks or Scars, whether on the Face or other pars of the Body None
Intended Place of Residence Sydney N.S.W.
4 comments:
Hi Matt,
Interested to see the info you got from the UK Archives on William's discharge from the 11th Foot. My ggg grandfather was in the same regiment. Just wondering how you found the info in the UK Archives and how you went about getting copies?
Michelle
mgelliott@iprimus.com.au
Hi Michelle,
The record shown here comes from the the National Archives (UK -
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk). The National Archives catalogue their
records by series, and in this case it is the 'Chelsea Pensioner'
records stored under WO97 (WO stands for 'War Office' - the department
that generated the records. The index covers soldiers discharged from
their regiments 1760-1854, usually on medical grounds, or where the
regiment disbanded etc. A 'Chelsea pensioner' was, by definition, in
receipt of a pension. So, for example, if a soldier died while in
service he will not appear in this index. There are also many other
reasons why a solder may not appear in the index, for example if they
'purchased' their discharge they also do not appear in the index as
the records have been lost'
With that in mind, the first thing to do is check if your ancestor is
indexed. From the website listed above, from the 'Search the Archives'
pull-down menu choose 'Catalogue', the click the huge 'search the
catalogue' in the middle of the screen. The most comprehensive way to
search is simply type the surname of a soldier of interest in 'word or
phrase' and 'WO' in the 'Department or Series Code' then search.
If you ancestor exists in the index, you should find their name. Of
course you can narrow the search but in my experience it's best to
read through a longer list. In the case of William HODGE I typed
'William AND 11th' and found William. The basic information is very
useful:
Scope and content
WILLIAM HODGE
Born BARNSTAPLE, Devonshire
Served in 11th Foot Regiment
Discharged aged 41
Covering dates 1827-1850
From this I can see where William was born, the regiment he served in,
the years he servied in the 11th, and from his age at discharge (in
1850) we can calculate his birth year. All very useful.
I was lucky enough to have a relative visit Kew and make a copy of the
record (no longer a possibility in my case). However, the National
Archives recently announced that it is working with findmypast.com to
scan and place online two important series of records: WO 97 (Royal
Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers Service Documents 1760-1913) and WO 96 (War
Office: Militia Attestation Papers 1806-1915). The aim is to have all
the records online by 2011. While I feel it is lamentable that public
records are handed over for private gain, it will at least allow a lot
more people to access their ancestors records (for a price).
If you're having any trouble, send me an e-mail as I'd be happy to help out.
cheers
matt
Hello Matt,
Have read with great interest 'The History of Matt'. I have just been to the NA and recovered similar documents for my gg grandfather
William Healy who joined the 11th Regiment of Foot in 1838 at 18 years old and was discharged in 1849(due to epilepsy). He was briefly in Canada 1838 and later for a period of just over 3 years in N.S.W. From your research are you able to tell me what duties the regiment performed in N.S.W.?
Also, do you know if it would have been possible for an enlisted man to marry during his term of duty? (I'm trying to piece together my family history).
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Brian Mayers
mayers@talktalk.net
PSI could read most of the original document other than the surgeons report which was just too difficult
Hello matt, I was wondering if you might be able to help me out...my G-G- Granndfather Thomas Hughes of H.M. 64th Regiment of foot ,was in the service for 15yrs. I have been lucky enough to have a researcher obtain his Final Discharge Paper. I have noticed some veritically hand -written lines on the side of the discharge paper reading;G.11008. A.37 to S.O.P. 2" Dublin,28-9-66. Next line reads G. 11631 --- Increased to 8 ---13-16-10-86 next line G. 17611 Inc. A. 31 to Man.-16-4-67. Could this G. refer to a reference volume of pension records that are held at Kew? I just wanted to get your opinion. Thanks for your help, Donna
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