11th Regiment Headstones in the Ionian Islands

The 11th Regiment spent time in the Mediterranean in the 1820s and 1830s. They were stationed in Portugal from mid 1827.  The following year, on 11th March 1828, they were ordered to Corfu, arriving eleven days later.  In 1829, the companies were constructing the road from Corfu Town.  According to a contemporary report ‘Twelve kilometers out of town, the troops carved an inscription on the rock to register the fact that it was the work of the men of the Eleventh Regiment of Foot’.

The Regiment moved to Levkas (also known as Santa Maura) on January 10th 1831, staying one year before the headquarters and three companies moved to Zante.  On New Year’s Day 1835, the Regimental strength was reported at 11 officers, 33 senior NCOs and 279 regular forces on Zante, along with 14 women and 33 children. Most members of a regiment were not married, and few were given permission for their wives and family to accompany them. It was also noted that the regiment was under-strength. Of the total roll, 498 regular forces in the 11th had between 7 and 21 years’ service. A summary of nationalities from the same report is also interesting - 60 Privates were English, 18 were Scottish and 339 were Irish. Given that the 11th was the North Devonshire Regiment, this may seem surprising; however, British regiments relied heavily on recruitment in Ireland. The history of the 11th also notes that ‘an average of twenty hospital admissions each month took place on Zante’ and that in December 1834 about forty people from the Regiment were dispatched to England for a ‘change of climate’. 

The Regiment remained in Zante until June 1835, when they returned to Corfu, and left Corfu in January 1838 for Gibraltar (thence Canada for almost two years).

I have posted on my own ancestor's headstone on the island of Zante (William Gutridge, shown below) 'discovered' by Saria Monsen-Elvik. I also recently found an edition of Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica (Vol 2 Fourth Series, pub. London 1908). Among the various items is a series of transcriptions of monumental inscriptions from 'British' cemeteries in the Ionian Islands. The volume notes that 'these inscriptions... have been communicated by Otho Alexander, Esq., British Vice-Consul, to Arthur F.G. Leverson-Gower, Esq., F.S.A.'

I have compiled the transcriptions from the above volume along with those communicated to me to be on Zante. Hopefully one day someone visiting the islands will be able to forward images of the headstones that remain over 100 years after the inscriptions were published. Only those positively identified as being 11th Regiment men (or family members) are included below.

Please e-mail me any other information you have.

Zante Cemetery(information from Saria Monsen-Elvik)

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF | SERT WILLIAM GUTRIDGE | LATE OF THE 11TH REGT OF FOOT | WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON | 19TH DAY OF DECR 1833 AGED 51 YEARS | THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY THE | NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF | THE ABOVE REGT AS A TOKEN OF TH | EIR ESTEEM FOR A COMRADE WHO | HAD SERVED A PERIOD OF 27 YEARS | MOSTLY ON THE CONTINANT WITH | THE REGT AND WAS ENGAGED WITH | THEM AT THE UNDERMENTIONED | PLACED VIZ.- | AT SALAMANCA PIRENEES NIVELLE | NIVE ORTHES TOULOUSE

IN FRONT OF THIS STONE | LIES THE REMAINS OF SEJEANT | JAMES O'CONNOR LATE
ORDERLY | CLERK IN THE 11TH REGT | FOOT WHO DEPARTED THIS | LIFE ON THE 12TH OF MAY 1833 | AGED 59 YEARS | THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY | COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE | ABOVE REGT AS A TOKEN | OF THEIR ESTEEM AND VERY GREAT REGARD

Sgt. Frederick Debrick, Prussian,  served with the 11th Regt for upwards of 22 years. Died 23 October 1834, aged 45.

A very worn headstone for a baby called Richard, 12 moths old, son of a Sgt.(?) serving the 11th 

Santa Maura Roman Catholic Cemetery (these all from MGH)

To the memory of | THOMAS CUDDILEY, Pt 11 Regiment, who departed this | life on the 9 September 1833, aged | 28 years.

Sacred | To the memory of | JOHN BOWDEDGE, Private 11 Regiment | who departed this life on the 3 January | 1832, aged 22 years

Gloria in Excelcis Deus Gloria | I.H.S. | In front of this stone lays the | remains of | MARY REARDAUT alias CAHILL | wife of Sergeant Armourer JEREMIAH | REARDAUT, 11th Regiment of Foot, who | departed this life on the 27 October | 1831, aged 23 years

Santa Maura Protestant Cemetery (these all from MGH)

Sacred | To the memory of | ANNE, the wife of Lieut Colonel | KEIGHTLAY, H.M.'s XI Regiment of Foot | Resident of Santa Maura, who | departed this life on November | 6th 1831, Aged 37 years. Monument of White Marble.

Feb 1847 happenings

A relatively quite month, but the 11th presence in VDL is providing entertainment for the masses. As usual (?) the 11th detachment around Adelaide is getting into more trouble.

Colonial Times
Friday 5 February 1847
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE
PORT OF LAUNCESTON.  
February 1. - Arrived the barque Elizabeth & Henry, Clark, master, from Hobart Town. Passengers - Lieutenants Boyd, Ward, Good, and Bird, Surgeon McAnderson, and a detachment of 11th regiment.

The Cornwall Chronicle
Saturday 6 February 1847
The Band Of the 11th Regiment, has enlivened the town during the past week, by occasional 'beautiful performances. On Thursday, a large number of the inhabitants congregated at the Horticultural Gardens to enjoy the pleasing treat, yesterday it played the Church Square, much to the gratification of many persons who do not subscribe to the Gardens. The greater portion of the inhabitants will be pleased to hear that Colonel Bloomfield has determined to allow the Band to play on Sunday, purposely to afford an opportunity for those of them to enjoy the performances who are deprived by their business the pleasure of attending on the days of the week.

The Cornwall Chronicle
Wednesday 10 February 1847
Horticultural Gardens. THE Band of Her Majesty's 11th Regiment will play in the Gardens on Thursday, the 11th instant, and for the future on Wednesdays, beginning each day at half-past three o'clock, until further notice.

South Australian
Friday 12 February 1847
Thursday, Feb. 11.
Thomas Donahue, a private of the 11th Regt., was brought up, charged with breaking the windows of Mr Fodsaker, of the "Temple Tap," on the previous evening.
Samuel Aaron Phillips, barman to Mr Fonsaker, stated that, about eleven o'clock on the previous night, the prisoner was in company with others, and was calling for drink, with which he refused to supply him, considering he had enough ; the parties, however, with whom he was in company, gave him part of what they called for, and the prisoner broke a wine glass, for which he refused to pay the sum demanded, 1 s.; a person in his company offered to pay for the glass, but on searching his pockets, said he had no money ; prisoner then asked witness, "Have you got your shilling ?" and upon answering, "No," he- struck him on the mouth and said; "Take it then ;" the prisoner, after a scuffle with Mr Fonsaker, was put out of doors, but returned, and was put out again, when he commenced kicking at the door, and immediately afterwards a brick came through the window. [About half a dozen
brick bats, and parts of brick bat, together with the dilapidated-remains of a window-sash, were produced, and the prisoner was fully identified as the perpetrator.
The prisoner cross-examined the witness in a very skilful manner for his calling, and endeavored to show that, there being a mob out side, they, as well as he, might have committed the offence, but was without effect.
Isaac Solomon proved distinctly that he had seen the prisoner throw the brick bats, and, as well as the first witness, estimated the damage at about 40s.
His Worship fined him 40s and costs, and in default of immediate payment, one month's imprisonment.
The prisoner said he could not pay the fine, and was removed in custody of the police.

The Cornwall Chronicle
Saturday 20 February 1847
LOCAL
His Excellency arrived in town on Thursday, about one o'clock, and was received at the end of Brisbane-street by a Guard of Honor of the 11th Regiment, which lined the street to the entrance gate of Government Cottage, where the Band struck up the national anthem. His Ex cellency made some official visits in the course of that day.

Launceston Examiner
Saturday 20 February 1847
HIS EXCELLENCY SIR WILLIAM THOMAS DENISON.
ARRIVAL IN LAUNCESTON.
SIR W. DENISON left Hobart Town on Monday, passed the night at Mount Vernon, the seat of A. F. Kemp, Esq.; proceeded next day to Mona Vale, the residence of Wm. Kermode, Esq.; and on Wednesday reached Woolmers, the estate of Thomas Archer, Esq., where His Excellency remained during that night, and arrived in town on Thursday, punctually at one o'clock. His Excellenlcy was met at the outskirts of the town by some of the inhabitants, and was occasionally cheered as he passed through the streets, which were crowded with spectators. There was more of military display than usual, the soldiers forming a line on each side of Brisbane-street, from Government Cottage to the corner of Charles street. The flag-staff was gaily decorated, but contrary to general custom, no salute
was fired, probably because the only three pieces of ordnance in the town are not serviceable. On Thursday evening His Excellency honoured the officers of the 11th regiment with his company to dinner.

Jan 1847 happenings

The most interesting article this month relates to a debate in court in VDL on billeting of soldiers to inns, and the legal requirement that inns accept these billets. Also this month, the movement of the headquarters of the 11th from Sydney to VDL occurs.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)
Wednesday 6 January 1847
GENERAL ORDER
Head Quarters,
Sydney, 5th January, 1847.
His Excellency the Lieutenant-General Commanding, cannot permit the head quarters of the 11th Regiment to leave this colony for Van Diemen's Land, without testifying to them in the strongest terms of approbation his sense of their uniform good conduct, admirable discipline, and high state of general efficiency, as evinced during the twelve months they have been garrisoned in Sydney.
The Lieutenant-General believes that there are few   corps which, exposed for so considerable a period to the temptations of a large city, could have exhibited greater proof of exemplary conduct than is shown in defaulter and court martial returns of the head quarters of this Regiment.
His Excellency requests Lieutenant-Colonel Bloomfield will convey to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, under his command, this assurance of his entire approbation, as well as his regret, that the duties of the service should render necessary the departure of the 11th Regiment from the head quarters of these colonies.
By command, &c,
G. C. MUNDY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Deputy Adjutant-General

The Cornwall Chronicle
Wednesday 6 January 1847
{As part of a very long article on a case of assault at an inn in Deloraine, VDL, a member of the 11th gave evidence as a witness:}
Thomas Blackburn — Am a private in the 11th regiment ; on the afternoon of the 1st November I was at Deloraine at the house of William Williamson; saw several people in the home : was not drunk when I went there, but the mistress of the house fetched us some beer ; there were a great number of  people there : I got drunk, went away, and returned again about four o'clock : the people were all drunk about the house : Mrs. Williamson was drunk : I went into the house and saw Williamson come in with bis face all covered with blood ; the mistress then shut the door, and would not let me go out : Williamson was making a mournful cry ; I washed his face, and tried to make him speak, but be seemed more inclined for rest : I then went home : I again saw the deceased on the Tuesday, and he seemed then to be sensible : during the time I was in Williamson's there was no other soldier there.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 12 January 1847
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE
DEPARTURES
January 11 -Java, ship, Captain Parker, for Hobart Town. Passengers- Lieut.-Colonel Hulme, Captain Eyton, Lieutenant Barclay. Lieutenant Mundie, Ensign Wilmot, Assist- ant Surgeon McAndrew, Mrs. and Miss Hulme, Master Hulme, and 147 rank and file of the 90th Regiment, with l8 women and 43 children ; Lieut. Colonel Bloomfield, Lieutenant Ward, Lieutenant Ball, Lieutenant Goode, Adjutant L. A. Boyd, Quartermaster Grant, two Misses Boyd, Mr. Swainston, Miss Grant, 174 rank-and file of the 11th Regiment, 31 women, and 45 children.

Launceston Examiner
Saturday 16 January 1847
MISCELLANEOUS. The steamer Shamrock came sip the river last evening. She has made an excellent passage, having left Moreton Bay on the 1st, Newcastle on the 3rd, and Sydney on the 5th instant, and arrived at the Queen's Wharf, Melbourne, early on Sunday morning. A large concourse assembled at the wharf, anticipating that the band of the 11th regiment was on board, but they were disappointed.

The Cornwall Chronicle
Saturday 16 January 1847
Police Office, January 11.— Upon the termination of the Quarter Sessions business (reported elsewhere) the Bench continued sitting for the purpose of adjudicating in the matter of DURIEAU vs TUCKER.— Defendant resides at Ross, and keeps an Inn known as the 'Scotch Thistle.'
The information charged him with a breach of the Quarter Sessions Act, in refusing on a certain day, to receive and entertain eight soldiers of her Majesty's 11th regiment of Foot, billetted on him by Mr.
Constable Iles.
Mr. Stilwell who attended for the defence, took an objection to the information, inasmuch as it failed
to set forth (in the terms of the Act) that at the time of the refusal the said soldiers were on their march. He contended (with all due submission to the Bench) that this objection must prove fatal, and cited the
case of ' Wilson v. Gage,' recently dismissed in that office, in support of his opinion. In this latter instance the defendant Gage was charged with rescuing cattle from the custody of the plaintiff Wilson.
The case fell to the ground, in consequence of its not being alleged in the information that the said Wilson was a constable— the Act specifying that it should be lawful only for a constable to impound cattle straying upon the public road.
Mr. Henslowe.— -The analogy between the two cases does not strike me, Mr. Stilwell.
Mr. Stilwell. — I am sorry for it, your worship, as in my humble opinion the resemblance is scarcely to be mistaken since jn no instance of the kind can the law take cognizance of an offence (if such it may be termed) so vaguely and unsatisfactorily expressed.
The learned gentleman then proceeded to point out to the Bench that— for aught the information alleged to the contrary, the soldiers might have been residing at Ross, at the time of Mr. Tucker's refusal, and that had such indeed been the case, the ....tain them. It was essential in all these cases to be
extremely explicit, and hence the necessity of adhering strictly to the legal verbiage of the statute.
Besides, it was an universally recognised principle in law, not to admit the proof of anything which had
not previously been specified on the face of the information.
The Chief District Constable here remarked, that he was prepared to prove, by the testimony of competent witnesses, that the soldiers were on their march.
Mr, Stilwell (smiling). — Yes, my good friend, but it so happens that you cannot be allowed to do so.
After consulting for a few minutes, the magistrate ruled the objection to be fatal, and dismissed the
case.
Mr. Stilwell then, on behalf of defendant, applied to their worships for some positive information concerning the number of soldiers which he might, in any subsequent period, be called upon to receive into his house. It was far from his wish to oppose or embarrass the authorities, and he would therefore
cheerfully undertake to do all that in this respect, might lawfully be demanded of him. In compliance
with the terms of his recognizance, be bhd upon the late occasion consented to accommodate six soldiers and two officers, whereas on the other hand, seven of the former, and none of the latter description, had been sent to him.
In reply to the above application, the police magistrate remarked — that although, individually speaking, he had no objection to offer his advice, he nevertheless, wished it to be distinctly understood, that he did so in his private capacity only. The question at issue was one over which the magistrates
could exercise no discretionary power. The act in one of its clauses provided that a general assessment
should take place, and that, in accordance with the terms of such arrangement, every licensed victualler
should become liable to 'billet' just as many men as the extent and capabilities of his premises might seem to justify. The above clause had, however, never been acted upon, and hence, the present unsettled state of the question. As the Act stood at this moment, there was no limit to the number which a publican might be called upon to receive. The statute went no farther than to provide for the 'billetting' of soldiers, but the question of number bad not as yet been agitated. Had the case against defendant been proceeded with, and a conviction ensued, an appeal to the 'Quarter Sessions' might have had the effect of determining whether or not the resources of the former had been unreasonably taxed. However, under all the circumstances, he (Mr. Henslowe) would advise the licensed victuallers to appeal to the government on the subject, since it would be absurd to suppose, that a commanding officer could limit to the number of six, every detachment he might be called upon— simultaneously to despatch.
Mr. Stilwell. — And it would be equally absurd to imagine that any publican could entertain from four
to five hundred men.
Mr. Leake suggested to Mr. Tucker the propriety of issuing (in the name of himself and his brother-publicans) instructions to Mr. Stilwell, to prepare the draught of a petition to the legislative council on
the subject of the above-named grievance.
Mr. Stilwell returned thanks for the suggestion, and the discussion terminated.

The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas)
Wednesday 27 January 1847

ELEVENTH REGIMENT — GENERAL ORDER.

Head Quarter, Sydney, 6th January, 1847.    

His Excellency the Lieutenant-General commanding, cannot permit the head quarters of the 11th regiment to leave this colony for Van Diemen's Land without his sense of their uniform good con- duct, admirable discipline, and high state of general efficiency, as evinced during the twelve months they have been garrisoned in Sydney.               

The Lieutenent-General believes that there are few corps which, exposed for so considerable a period to the temptation of a large city, could have exhibited greater proof of exemplary conduct than is   shown in defaulter and court martial returns of the head quarters of the regiment. His Excellency requests Lieut.-Col. Bloomfield   will convey to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, under his command, this assurance of his entire approbation, as well as his regret, that the of the service should render necessary the departure of the 11th regiment from the head quarters of these colonies. 

By command, &c. W.C. Mundy,     

Deputy Adjutant-General               

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT. - The head quarters of this fine regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bloomfield, embarked on Wednesday afternoon on board the Java for Hobart Town. During their short stay in Sydney, this corps gained the good will and respect of the citizens by their orderly conduct; and their gallant commander was well and deservedly respected for his urbanity, and the desire he always evinced to contribute in various ways in the amusement and comfort of the citizens. Whenever his men were on duty, no surly or selfish orders to "stand off the grass" were ever issued, the numerous passengers through the barrack square were free to come and go as they pleased, without being compelled to take a long round in order to pass through. We are satisfied that the good wishes of the citizens will accompany the regiment to their new quarters. - Sydney Chronicle.                

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW)

Saturday 30 January 1847

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald.)

27.- Dorset, brig, 82 tons, Captain Walsh, from Adelaide the 12th instant. Passengers - Captain and Mrs. Hart and daughter, Mrs. Wetherington and daughter, Dr. Marshall of the 11th regiment, Mr. Cameron, and Mr. Williams.