Discharged for bad conduct.

[maddymoss]

Hi,

In January 1893 George McCracken, Assistant Inspector of Poor, Coatbridge stated of Michael McEwan/McEwan : ‘he was a soldier for about 6 years, but was discharged, doubtlessly for bad conduct.’

I’m trying to find out, if at all possible, what regiment Michael McEwan/McKeown served in. He was born in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire in 1855 and died in 1893. He married in 1880 and had two children, also born in Coatbridge. He was listed as a coalminer in every Old Monkland census from 1871 until 1891. After his marriage he appears to have remained in the Coatbridge area during the 1880’s. I thought perhaps he could have joined the army as a boy soldier in the 1870’s? Possible or not?

Thanks,
maddymoss

[StewL]

Hi Maddymoss
It is more than possible he could have been a boy soldier. They were enlisted in the British Army from 1795-1959.
Initially the parish where they came from would have to pay for their transport from the parish to the army depot.
They carried out a variety of roles in their regiments. The numbers were restricted to 1% of the regiments strength and they carried out a variety of roles, and it is unclear as to whether they were combatants or not.

[maddymoss]

Hi Stewie,
Like you, I think Michael was a boy soldier. I don’t think it’s going to be easy to discover much about this episode in his life, but it’s a start.

Thanks,
Maddymoss.

Researching: Leslie, McEwan, Diamond, Carr, Stanfield, McNamee, Queen, Welsh, & Galligan. (Ireland and Lanarkshire).

[joette]

According to my Grandpa his Father was a boy soldier after being orphaned aged around 8 in 1865.. By the time the 1871 Census comes along he's in Edinburgh with his elder brother as an apprentice tailor-by the 1881 Census he's a Stonemason & living with his sister(actually his cousin but raised by his parents after her |Mother died.)& husband & family.
I have never been able to trace any documentation relating to his army service I think Grandpa said he was a drummer boy.I don't know what happened to his even younger brother but they were all in contact with each other & seem to have been close siblings for them all to have been orphaned so young & with half-siblings & cousins being raised as one family too.
If only Dollar had some Poor Law Archives- although there was rumour of the children being done out of it some money which was left in trust for them.

[Anne H]

Hi Maddymoss,

I had a look on FMP but didn't see anything for a Michael under either spelling.

Regards,
Anne H

[maddymoss]

Hi Ann,

You'll have to enlighten me. What's FMP?

Cheers,

madddymoss.

[Anne H]

Sorry! FMP = Find My Past.

Regards,
Anne