John Clavin - 1454 Colour Sergeant

[AndyB]

I posted on the Boer War area about this relation of mine who was in the 6th Manchester Regiment for 17/18 years and was invalid out after being wounded in Senekal in SA. I can find scant information of his home life during this time and am getting frustrated. His discharge papers say that he joined the army in 1872 as a member of 1st bn East Surrey Regiment (Which I presume was the 31st Regiment at that time.) He signed up in Bury and I'm struggling to find any information as to why he would join them and spend 12 years in the regiment then transfer to the Manchester Militia. So here are a few questions and maybe I can get a few answers.

1. Why would a Lancashire lad join the 1st East Surrey? Was Bury Bury St Edmonds?
2. In 1872 the 1st East Surrey didn't exist, would they be using it on his discharge papers for ease?
3. Was there an obvious reason as to why he transfered to the Manchester Regiment?
4 Why on his discharge papers are 7 years service disallowed?
5 What would he be doing in the 6th Manchester from 1884 until he went to SA?

If anyone can help I would be extremely grateful

[sphinx]

1.  Bury was definately Bury in Greater Manchester not Suffolk.  He may have had a family connection to the Regiment that he joined
2.  Because that was what it was known as in 1903.
3.  Yes, it was his local regiment, being born and bred in Manchester
4.  Because he did 5 years with the colours and 7 years with the reserve.  That 7 years didnt count towards his pension
5.  The Militia was not the regular army, it was not the volunteer army.  It was a force paid an annual bounty and requiring minimal yearly training.  Google the militia and you will get the best answer.

regards
 

[AndyB]

Thanks Sphinx. That helps a bit.