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Archiver > INDIA > 2003-02 > 1044941281


From: "Al Thompson" <>
Subject: [India-L] Recruits to the EIC Army
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 21:28:10 -0800


As I have two direct forbears who served in the ranks of the EIC army, I
read with great interest the recent postings on the recruitment and
transportation to India of company soldiers.

I had always been under the impression that almost all EIC European
soldiers were recruited in the British Isles. It came as something of a
surprise to me therefore when, in examining an early Muster Roll (Ref. CLDS
film No. 1885293 Bengal Army Muster Roll and Casualty Return 1798-1806;
OIOC Ref. L/MIL/10/136) I discovered that a quite a large number were
recruited in the Cape of Good Hope and were mostly from European countries
outside of the British Isles. For example, of the total 3692 European
soldiers shown on the EIC Army roll for 1798, 488 are shown as being first
enlisted in The Cape of Good Hope- most during the two years 1796-97. Of
these 488 entries, 181 have Holland recorded under Country (of origin),
165 show Germany, and 34 show Hesse(?). Other countries of origin were
Saxony, Poland, Prussia, Sweden, Belgium, France, Norway, Italy, Denmark,
Croatia, America (2), Russia, Zeeland, Bohemia, Bengal (1). As well, 7 of
the Cape recruits are shown as being from Ireland, 2 from Scotland, and 12
from England (including my ggggf Private George Thompson).

How on earth did all these people get to South Africa in the first place?
Some of them were quite old at the time of recruitment the oldest I noted
was 44. My ggggf was 28, and I suspect already married. Could he have
arrived at the Cape with a British army unit and then somehow left it to
join the HEIC army? A re-muster, so to speak? Perhaps Peter Bailey, or some
other kind Lister, might be able to shed some light on this recruitment in
South Africa question.

Best regards to all Al Thompson on Vancouver Island






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