Posts tagged ‘Fort George’
Thomas’ Last Military Assignment
As I said earlier, service records for British soldiers in World War I, including the one for Thomas Hall, were destroyed by fire during the German bombing of Britain during World War II. So I have to squeeze as much information out of Thomas’ marriage record as I can. He served in the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (HLI). I found a good record of the stations for the Highland Light Infantry on the Long, Long Trail Website. There were different categories of Battalions in the HLI. From other sources, I discovered that a Garrison Battalion was composed of men to old or not fit for regular war service. Some Garrison Batallions did serve overseas, but others served at home.
The only component of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry that fit with Thomas in time and date was the 1st (Reserve) Garrison Battalion, which was formed at Fort George around May 1916 and moved to Maryhill in January 1918. Fort George is a large 18th century fortress near Ardersier, to the north-east of Inverness in the Highland council area of Scotland. The fortress has never been attacked and has remained in continuous use as a garrison.
A New Beginning for Thomas and Sarah
The next record I have for Thomas Hall is his marriage to Sarah Purdie Barnes on September 1 1916. The marriage took place at 2 South Hampton Street in Kilmarnock, Scotland, according to the forms of the established Church of Scotland. Kilmarnock is in the county of Ayr on the west coast of Scotland, not too far from Bonhill and the Vale of Leven. It is also very close to Glasgow.
On this marriage record, Thomas is described as 50 years old, a telegraph manager, a Lieutenant in the 1st Garrison Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, and a bachelor living at The Depot, Fort George. His parents were William Hall, a retired pensioner, now deceased, and Lydia Celina Hall, née Ramsbottom, also deceased. Sarah is described as 34 years old, a hosiery presser, and a spinster living at 15 James Little Street, Kilmarnock. Her parents were James Barnes, a cabinetmaker (deceased) and Sarah Barnes, née Purdie. The minister was William J. Smith from St Karmarnock’s parish, and the witnesses were Alexander Hunter and Agnes Boyd Barnes.
I felt very lucky to have found this record on Scotland’s People. This is a pay-per-use site but I find it very reasonable, and I can use my American credit card to easily buy the credits I need.
William Hall in India and In Scotland 