Hello All but especially Chris & Blair: My hired researcher has concluded his work at TNA and now I have full details of the military career of Joseph BOY / BYE / BUY. There's nothing that Chris didn't already find but now I have photos of the documents which allows me to glean a few extra details. So Joseph was born in Wantage, Berkshire on 16 Oct 1786 and baptised 6 months later. He enlisted at Newbury in 1804. He served in the Peninsula War arriving home (Chatham) in 1814 but leaving almost immediately for Flanders. He fought at the Battle of Waterloo and afterwards was in Paris on the Champs Elysees! At least that's what the muster roll says. He stayed in France mostly at Therouanne and a camp near St Omar until late 1818 when the regiment returned to England. Joseph was stationed at Chester which must be where he met his bride Elizabeth ANDREW(S). In early 1819 he is at Weedon Barracks in Northamptonshire. I'm not sure how this works out but he is accounted for at Weedon every day of the quarter ending 24 Jun 1819 even though I know he was in Chester getting married on Jun 21. Later that year the regiment moves to Lichfield and by the 2nd quarter of 1820, they are at Hull until leaving for Dublin in the spring of 1821. Here I was delighted to find out that he certainly could be the father of Ann BOY baptised in October 1821. Joseph was noted as being on furlough from 25 Nov 1820 until 5 Jan 1821. That was a relief because I was beginning to think that he'd had no opportunity to father this child. The regiment stayed in Ireland until the spring of 1823 and then left for New Brunswick. Joseph died at Miramichi, NB on 20 May 1826. The casualty return just says that he died. Most likely would be of some illness. I'm thinking that even an accidental death would be noted as such and killed in action would definitely be stated. The fiche copy of his enlistment details is difficult to read but says that his term was unlimited. I suppose this is a euphemism for a life sentence. Was it possible for such lifetime soldiers to get a discharge? Perhaps for family reasons, sickness, disability etc. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you all know how things had gone. I'm busy reading about all the places where the regiment spent time. If anyone is interested seeing any of the images, just let me know off-list. Thanks to all, Irene

Great to watch your progress with Joseph who has captured the imagination (& affection) of many on this list. Thank you for the update - a good romp! Best regards Sent from my iPad >

On Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:53:08 -0600, you wrote: >Hello All but especially Chris & Blair: > >My hired researcher has concluded his work at TNA and now I have full details of the military career of Joseph BOY / BYE / BUY. There's nothing that Chris didn't already find but now I have photos of the documents which allows me to glean a few extra details. Have you come across this book The history of Lord Seaton's regiment (the 52nd light infantry) at the battle of Waterloo; together with various incidents connected with that regiment, not only at Waterloo but also at Paris, in the north of France, and for several years afterwards: to which are added many of the author's reminiscences of his military and clerical careers during a period of more than fifty years. By the Rev. William Leeke. This and several other regimental histories are available from the Internet Archive at www.archive.org Be warned that it I found it too easy to get sidetracked by this amazing collection -- Regards John Alexander