Norfolk boy joins up in time for the Peninsula War

[DavidK]

Hello All,

First, congratulations on this fabulous site!

I am currently confused as to how come a labourer fron rural East Norfolk could have joined the 36th Herefordshire Regiment of Foot in Huntingdonshire in March 1809? I cannot read the specific town name where he signed up.

Also, can anyone tell me of any references to documents about enlisted men - other than discharge papers - which cover the time from 1809 to 1831 please.

Regards

[scully]

David,

From the 36th Regiment history for 1809. The Regiment arrived back in England from Corunna in January 1809. On the 16th July 1809 the 1st Battalion of the 36th Regiment embarked from Portsmouth for Walcheren (Holland) under the command of Colonel Burne.

Regards,

Louis

[DavidK]

Thanks, it appears correct that indeed my Norfolk boy did serve in Flushing for the full five months.

I still wonder how he got to join this particular regiment? Was it such that joining up meant you were assigned to a regiment in need of recruits, or perhaps you simply went into the regiments own recruitment centre?