Hi Ron, John or James WHITING was with the 11th Foot Regiment and was garrisoned in Australia from 1845. The 1841 UK Census shows him stationed at George's Square Barracks in Devonport. He next shows up in Australia in 1845 arriving on the "Ratcliffe". This ship had collected convicts from Dublin and Kingstone in Ireland before coming onto Australia. I've been able to view Muster Books and Payroll Lists for his time of service here in Australia but have still not been able to find anything else about his service. I've searched and searched the National Archives database and can find no sign of him. Muster Books and Payroll Lists show him to be a Corporal by the time he arrived in Australia, and his marriage certificate of 1850 states he was a Sergeant. I would like to find enlistment papers, service records, pension records - anything at all really - but haven't had any success to date. Do any of the records list John or James WHITING?? Thanks for your time, Vicki Strickland Melbourne, Australia

Hi Vicki, I was very intersted to know a little more about one of the passengers on the RATCLIFFE which left Kingstown (now called Dun Laoghaire) carrying one of my family - Henry FitzGerald from County Clare - as a convict. He was seen off by his brother, and was apparently chained to another convict. He had been an officer and courtmartialled and sentenced to deportation for striking a fellow officer. best wishes, Nicola Jennings >