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From: "William Jervois" <>
Subject: Re: SMITH - BARBADOS
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997 15:16:51 +0000


Hello Dave

I expect that you know that Charles Bagot Smith served as a regular
officer in the British Army. The 1859 Army List shows him as a
half-pay Assistant-Commissary-General, (the equivilant of a Major)
having been promoted to that rank on 1 Aug 1856. There is a
footnote to say that :

"Mr C.B. Smith served in the Kaffir War (Medal). Also the Eastern
Campaign of 1854-55; was present at the battle of Alma and seige of
Sebastapol (Medal and Clasp)."

Needless to say there were no "South African" regular forces until
after the Union. The 1868 Army List shows that he was then serving
in Canada, I would imagine that he would have been on garrison duty
both there and when he was in Barbados.

It seems possible that he was still on half-pay in 1863 and could
well have returned to his farm until his recall to active service.
I might add that the system of commissioned service was very
different in the mid-19th century and this topic is quite a study in
itself!

with best wishes

William

------------------------
William Jervois Resident Genealogist, Albany Museum
Somerset Street, Grahamstown
6139
South Africa
Tel: 0461 22312 Fax: 0461 22398
e-mail: International Code: 27-461-
http://www.ru.ac.za/departments/am/geneal.htm

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