Finding James Hardy - 6

LOOK AT RECORDS BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR RECORDS

Having already established that James Hardy was a Military Pensioner, I have previously tried to look at his service records and found little on them. A hint that I need to remind myself about is when you find a record on someone, check the records before and after in the set. It can give you insights into people they may be connected with, or give a historical perspective on what was happening in the area around them at the time.

In doing this I have found a lot more out about James including his description, service history, health and that he had been in Canada (which might open up some more searches for him).

MILITARY RECORDS

While we know James was a soldier, it is often good to search surnames and districts of soldiers in the years where your ancestor might have been old enough to enlist. You might find a relative. Something in my "to research" list is John Hardy who's military record comes after James'. He was also in the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot and had gone to guard Napoleon at St Helena until his death. 

Another hint is a financial one. UK Archives direct you to military records via Find My Past. If you already have this account search for records via them. If you search via Ancestry they will take you to Fold 3 which you have to pay additional subscription fees. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty certain, having researched Ted Lang's  military records that they will take you to the very same information.

FINDINGS

So what additional information can we add to our biography of James Hardy?

At the age of 34, his description was 5ft 7 1/4 inches in height (the average height then being around 5ft 5inches for an Irish man), with dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a dark complexion. 

James' grandson Jack Hardy had similar features
to those describing James. These features have
been passed down to Jack's grandsons as well.

James joined the 66th Foot regiment, 12 May 1823, when he was 20 years of age (service number 155). He was born in the town of Killigordon in the parish of Donahmore. 

It is likely he was garrisoned at the barracks in Ireland from his attestation, 13 May 1823 to 31 December 1828. His service details show three distinct periods, the next being from 1 January 1829-31 April 1832 and the last from 1 May 1832 until his discharge. The records tell us that he spent 5 years (the last period) in Canada.

In Quebec he was enlisted until 31 July 1837, but records show he was under "further service" until 31 December of that year (perhaps until he was able to sail back to England and for time to be treated).

In June 1837 W Henry, surgeon to the regiment wrote the following letter:

Private James Hardy has been several times in Hospital affected with pulmonary complaint during the last twelve months, particularly the last winter. Changes of climate appear to be necessary for the recovery of his health. Conduct in hospital correct. W Henry, Surgeon to Regiment. 

His records go on to say that he was accessed at the Chelsea General Hospital in December 1837 where he was deemed unfit for military duty due to thoracic disease and varicose veins in his left leg. 

Source: 66th Berkshire Regiment
Author: John Percy Groves