I recently discovered that my Great (x3) Grandfather, Samuel Hayes, served in the 47th Regiment of Foot from 5 December 1808 thru December 1832. Medal rolls indicate he served in 2/47th during the Peninsula War, with entitlement to the MGSM with Vittoria and San Sebastian clasps. The lack of the Barrosa clasp suggests he was in one of the battalion/centre companies.
I'm heading to Kew on 2 Oct to dig through the 2/47th muster rolls. I also have a number of books on order including Harley's "Veteran", "The Spanish Ulcer: a History of the Peninsular War", "A Commanding Presence: Wellington in the Peninsula 1808-1814", "Wellington and the Siege of San Sebastian 1813", "Vittoria 1813", Wylly's "Loyal North Lancashire Regiment", and others that cover the First Anglo-Burmese War.
I'm interested in finding other primary sources that might shed more light on the locations and travels Samuel undertook while in service. For example, are there any records of the vessels that transported the 2/47th to Gibraltar, Cadiz etc.?
Any pointers to sources (or additional books that would be of use) would be very much appreciated as I dig into this previously-unknown aspect of my family history.
Ian,
There is no Dennis Hellim on the Musters, but there is a Dennis Hulme, he was from Unsworth, Lancashire and enlisted 5th April 1809. He sailed on the Ephira in February 1811 from Cadiz to Algeciras as part of Graham's force at Barrosa. Following which he also served at Tarifa as part of Skerret's defence. He was then involved in the defence of Puente Largo, Aranjuez 30th October 1812, here he was reported as missing/killed WO25/1822 and died 16th December 1812. Hulme had 12/- credit which was ordered 21st October 1815.
Musters are notorious for phonetic/mispelling of names so this could possibly be your relative; time scales are right 1809 to 1815 and there are only three Dennis's shown on the Musters.
If you feel it could be him pm and I will send images
Jim