October 1845 - happenings

The 11th Regiment continues its move from England to Australia in October 1845, with the headquarters confirmed to be en route to VDL. The move across the globe has resulted in some leadership changes as older members of the regiment are to remain in England. A small contingent has arrived at Norfolk Island. Members of the 11th are already getting into strife and appearing in court - many members of the 11th stayed in Australia, and it appears some had already decided to scheme a way into staying.

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday 6 October 1845

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

Arrivals

October 5 - 'Governor Phillip', brig, 188 tons, Captain Handley, from Hobart Town the 26th and Maria Island the 28th September. Passengers for Norfolk Island - Lieutenant Butler, K,N., Mrs. Butler, and two children, Captain Blackford and two children, Miss Gray, 13 rank and file of the 11th Regiment, and seven prisoners of the Crown. Passengers for Sydney Mr. and Mrs. Fredllr and child, Mr. and Mrs. Middleton and two children, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and four children, Messrs. Arabin, R. Short. H. Walton, J. Brady, T. Early, J. Pearce, and J. H. Martin.

The Courier (Hobart, Tas)

Wednesday 8 October 1845

 OATLANDS SUPREME COURT

SPRING CIRCUIT

- Daniel Kehely {note: Kilaly in another report}, (11th Regiment), for assaulting a very homely-looking matron from the district of Bothwell, the maximum punishment of two years' imprisonment and hard labour.

- William Hunt and William Cowling, of the 11th Regiment, for larceny, at Bothwell. It was shrewdly suspected these soldiers had committed the offence in question with the view of exchanging regimental duty for probationism. They were sentenced to two years' imprisonment and hard labour, with an intimation from the bench that they would return to soldiering at the expiration of their punishment.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)

Tuesday 7 October 1845

THE removal of the 51st K.O.L.I. to Calcutta, although decided upon, depends, as to time, entirely upon the arrival of the 11th Regiment. The only field officer of that regiment here, Major Harold, will probably be ordered to Norfolk Island, as it will detach for that service, the entire of the 58th being ordered to New Zealand, the 96th under Colonel Hulme returning to head quarters so soon as the 51st shall have embarked. As it is, however, certain, under the new arrangements of Sir James Macgregor, the Medical Director-General, that no troops are to be sent to India if they cannot land there previous to the expiration of the month of March at the very latest, that unless the 11th shall have arrived here in time for the 51st to embark in the course of January, their departure must of necessity be deferred for another season. The death of every British soldier in India is estimated to cost the nation one hundred pounds. The military head quarters in India are now removed from Fort William to Dumm Dumm, which is supposed to be a more healthy as it certainly is a more convenient station for all military purposes.

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday 11 October 1845

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

CLEARANCE

October 10 - 'Louisa', brig, Captain Millton, for Hobart Town. Passengers - Captain Conran and Lieutenant Kemp, of the 11th Regiment, Mr. Billerwell, Mr. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Dugard, Mr. Bilton, Mr. Lindsley, Mr. Yates, Miss Bale, Mrs. Kingsdale and child, Mr. Thompson, 49 rank and file of the 11th Regiment, 6 women, 2 children, and a prisoner of the crown.

The Courier (Hobart, Tas) 

Saturday 18 October 1845

MILITARY

11TH FOOT. - Brevet Colonel John Hogge, from half pay Unat., to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Sir Michael Creagh, who exchanges ; Major Henry Keane Bloom- field to be Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, vice Hogge, who retires ; Captain John Singleton to be Major by purchase, vice Bloomfield; Lieutenant James Talbot Stanley to be Captain by purchase, vice Singleton; Ensign John Alexander Hunter to be Lieutenant by Purchase, vice Stanley; Charles Monkton Gibbons

Quantrille, gent., to be Ensign by purchase, vice Hunter ; Assistant Surgeon Henry Hadley, M.D., from the Rifle Brigade, to be Surgeon, vice Daniel Leonard, who retires on half-pay.

CHATHAM.-The head-quarters of the 11th Regiment of Foot have orders from the Horse Guards to hold themselves in readiness to embark on the 8th July next on board the ship Castle Eden, of 750 tons burden, now lying at Deptford (the strength to be 388 men of all ranks,) to proceed to Van Diemen's Land ; and on the 15th of the same month the remainder of the regiment, consisting of upwards of 200 men, is to follow, leaving a depot, which will join the provisional battalion, to consist of such men as have been in the regiment above 20 years. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M. Creagh, K.H., now in command, does not proceed with the troops, but retires on half-pay. The command, therefore, devolves on Major H. Keene Bloomfield. It is expected that the 8th, now lying at Weedon, will follow in succession to the 11th to Van Diemen's Land. U. S. Gazette.

SHIPPING NEWS.

PORT OF HOBART TOWN.

October 15—Arrived the ship Equestrian, 659 tons, Spence, from London 5th July, with 298 male prisoners-passengers, Capt. Grant, Mrs. and two Misses Grant, Dr. Robertson, Surgeon Superintendent, Lieutenant Chalmers, 50 rank and file 11th regiment, 6 women, and 6 children.

Morning Chronicle (Sydney)

Saturday 18 October 1845

Shipping Intelligence

DEPARTURES

14.--Governor Phillip, brig, Handley, for Norfolk Island.- Passengers-Lieut. Butler, R.N., Mrs. Butler and two children, Captain Blackford and two children, Miss Gray, thirteen rank and file of the 11th regiment, and seven prisoners of the crown.

The Courier (Hobart, Tas) 

Wednesday 22 October 1845

SHIPPING NEWS.

PORT OF HOBART TOWN

20 - Arrived the brig Louisa, 181 tons, Millton, from Sydney 12 instant - passengers. Captain Conran 11th, Lieutenant Kemp, 51st, 45 rank and file 11th regiment, 6 women and 2 children, Mr. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Dugard, Mr. Billewell, Mr. Bilton, Ann Bale, J. Yates.

The Observer (Hobart)

Tuesday 28 October 1845

HOBART TOWN

ARRIVALS

October 25.-Ship Castle Eden, 930 tons, Baker, master, from London 19th July. Passengers Lieutenant-Colonel Bloomfield, Captain E. Moore, Captain Alexander Cockburne, Captain A. I. Jenner, Lieutenant Brewer, Lieutenant H.M. Hall, Ensign M. Goode, Ensign B.M. Cardiff, Lieut. and Adjutant Bovd, Quartermaster Grant, Surgeon H. Hodley, Mr. Hanley, Clerk of the Works, lady and two daughters, Mrs. Grant, 20 Serjeants, 13 corporals, 8 drummers, 275 privates, 38 women, 48 children 11th regiment.

September 1845 - happenings

The 11th Regiment ranks are filled out as convict ships arrive in VDL (Tasmania) and Sydney carrying the 11th Regiment (and some family members), mainly as escorts for c. The 11th also takes responsibility in Norfolk Island. There is trouble in Sydney, and the new hats are unpopular!

The Observer (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 2 September 1845
Local Intelligence
NORFOLK ISLAND.-A convict guard of one officer (Captain Currer), three sergeants, three corporals, and forty-three privates, from the 11th Regiment, embark in the 'David Malcolm', about the 8th of May, for Norfolk Island. Paymaster Timbrell, 58th Regiment, and one private, accompanies the detachment.-London Paper, May 2.

The Courier (Hobart, Tas)
Wednesday 3 September 1845
Shipping News
Port of Hobart Town
August 30 - Arrived the ship 'Ratcliffe', Gilbert, from Kingstone, Ireland, 19 May, with 215 male prisoners - passengers, Dr. Dobie, R N., Surgeon Superintendent, Captain R. Webster, Lieutenant J. Pattison, Mrs. Captain Webster, E. Webster. A. Webster. Misses L. and M. Webster. 47 rank and file of the 11th regiment, 5 women, and 6 children. William Toole, William Daly - and James Kelly and Patrick Power, prisoners' sons.

The Observer (Hobart, Tas) 
Friday 19 September 1845
Shipping Intelligence
Hobart Town
Arrivals
September 16 - Ship 'Marian', 680 tons, 4 guns, Kettlewell, master, from London ; sailed from the Downs 14 June ; with 300 male convicts. Passengers - Surgeon-Superintendent Dr. Elliott, R.N., Lieutenant Marsden and Ensign Boyd of 11th Regiment, 50 rank and file, 6 women, and 12 children.


Morning Chronicle (Sydney) 
Wednesday 24 September 1845Shipping Intelligence
Arrivals
20.- 'David Malcolm', barque, :558 tons, Cabel ; from the Downs the 13th May, and Norfolk Island the 10th inst. ; Passengers - Dr. Harvey Morrls, surgeon superintendent, Captain Conran, 11th regiment, Paymaster Timbrell, 58th regiment, 50 rank and file of the 11th regiment, 7 women and 4 children.

Sydney Morning Herald
Friday 26 September 1845

SERIOUS OUTRAGE.- About eight o'clock, Wednesday evening, a number of soldiers, who had lately arrived in the colony, went to the Wool Press public-house, Gloucester-Street, and while drinking there got into a quarrel with some seamen. In consequence of one of the latter telling one of the soldiers that he (the soldier) danced so badly, that he had better go to New Zealand and learn to dance the "Polka", to Johnny Heki's music, the soldiers becime quarrelsome, and after seizing sundry beer pots and a poker, they proceeded south, through Gloucester-street, breaking all the windows which they got sight of, until they arrived at Curtayne's Limerick Arms, at the corner of Essex and Gloucester-streets, where they threw in a great number of stones, by which property to the value of upwards of twenty pounds was destroyed, and several civilians seriously injured. The inhabitants of that part of the City, whose attention had been attracted by the noise, proceeded to secure their houses, but without much effect as by the time the piquet arrived, several of them were seriously injured. An old man named Todd, was so much hurt that little hopes arc entertained of his recovery. It appears that when the piqaet arrived, some of them called out to their comrades, "if you want a row, now is the time," and chased the parties off the streets, till they arrived at the Liverpool Arms, where a couple of sailor boys were rushed into the tap room before three soldiers, having bayonets in their hands, who took them prisoners and handed them over to the civil authorities for rioting in the streets. The prisoners, Thomas Wilson and William Snow, were brought before the Mayor yesterday morning, when they were admonished and discharged. It appears that there are four soldiers at present in the Military Hospital, all severely injured by the stones and other missiles which were hurled at them by the populace during the affray. According to some accounts there were from forty to sixty soldiers on the ground before the piquet arrived. About nine P.M. police runner Adson went to Wells's public house, and found a breast-plate belonging to a private of the 11th Regiment, which he has since forwarded to the proper authorities, in order, if possible, to discover the owner. In consequence of some threats having been used by the soldiers, that they would repeat the conduct above noticed, a petition was prepared by mid-day yesterday, addressed to His Excellency the Commander of the Forces, praying that he would take such steps us may be necessary to prevent the repetition of the same conduct, and also that he would be pleased to order an investigation of the affair, in order that those whose property has been injured may receive such compensation as they may be entitled to. In the course of yesterday afternoon, His Excellency the Commander of the Forces having issued orders that all the men in Barracks were to remain there from sunset to sunrise, every man was in his quarters before tattoo time.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 30 September 1845

THE ALBERT CAP.

The 11th Regiment, now in the course of arrival here to relieve the 51st, has the new infantry cap. It is not extremely creditable to the taste of his Royal Highness, for certainly a more unbecoming article of a soldier's equipment could not have been invented. The back-peak affords no real protection to the neck, while it looks like the old fireman's cap. It is altogether a heavy, dull, and unsoldierlike head piece, and it is to be lamented that so discreditable a concern has been adopted by the Clothing Board.

August 1845 - happenings

The 11th Regiment are establishing in Van Diemen's Land, and mixing with the locals.

The Observer (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 12 August 1845

THE MILITARY.—A disturbance took place on Monday evening at the lower end of Brisbane street, between a soldier and two or three civilians, which ended by the soldier receiving a severe beating. The soldier being enraged at the treatment he received, hastened to the barracks and informed his comrades of what had transpired, when a number of them sallied out and proceeded to the house of Mr. Pearson, (in the vicinity of which the affray originated,) and commenced breaking glasses, tumblers, furniture, and everything in the house ; they then completely demolished the windows. Information by this time was conveyed to the barracks, when a picket was ordered out, and with extreme reluctance they rendered a little assistance in quelling their infuriated comrades. The inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood, thinking that the out-break would be attended with similar consequences to the former one, lost no time in securing their property and windows from destruction, but the soldiers appeared satisfied with what they had already accomplished, except the breaking of a few more panes of glass on their way home.— The following evening, reports were circulated that the soldiers intended further attacks upon the public houses, and the more peaceable inhabitants whose business called them out after dark, were filled with apprehension and alarm, lest they should meet with a mob of the soldiery. We believe that the report only originated in the fears of the people, and that no ground existed for it ; but the state of insecurity apprehended was equally distressing to a great number of the population, as though the reports were well founded. It is surely time that some serious notice should be taken of these frequent outbreaks, by our authorities. The public ought to have some guarantee that the disgraceful scenes which have been witnessed in this town, shall not be repeated. We are willing to believe that, in many instances, soldiers have received great provocation in rencontres with some of the lower orders with whom they have been tippling, but severe examples should be made of men who will, at the instance of a drunken comrade, sally out of barracks, and deliberately knock down unoffending inhabitants, and destroy the property of equally innocent publicans. We are also willing to believe that the officers in this garrison are anxious to suppress the riotous spirit exhibited : but we fear their conduct has not been prompt nor decided enough with men who have misbehaved themselves. In the present instance, we understand, the rioters belonged to the 11th regiment.—(From Launceston Advertiser, Aug 7).

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday 16 August 1845

TROOPS.—Three hundred men of the 58th Regiment are under orders for New Zealand, and will proceed by the British Sovereign as soon as she arrives. Large quantities of stores are being prepared at the Commissariat Office for immediate shipment. It is reported, we believe, however, without sufficient authority, that the detachment of the 96th Regiment at Norfolk Island will be ordered for New Zealand ; their place being supplied by the detachments of the 11th Regiment, now arriving in Van Diemen's Land.  

The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston)
Saturday 30 August 1845
James Tulley and Robert McKay, charged with stealing from the person of Robert Gardener, on the 20th July last, a purse containing money. 
Robert Gardener sworn— I am a private in the 11th regiment; on the 29th July last was in the parlour of Taylor's public house ; there were several persons there, both soldiers and civilians; I was drunk; took out my purse to pay for liquor ; don't know how much I had in it then ; when I first went into the house had 15s. ; had my purse snatched out of my hand but cannot say by whom ; saw the prisoner Tulley in the room. Three more witnesses spoke as to Tulley snatching away the purse and throwing it to McKay, who ran away with it. 
Tulley acknowledged that he had stolen the purse, and was driven to it by want.-Guilty.

July 1845 - Happenings

Happenings of the 11th Regiment of Foot for July 1845

Colonial Times 
Friday 4 July 1845 
Shipping Intelligence 
Port of Hobart Tow
July 3 - Arrived the barque 'Theresa', Brown, master, from Gravesend 1st April, with 220 male prisoners, Surgeon-Superintendent, B. A. Browning, Esq., R.N. ; F. Guy, Assistant-Surgeon; Mrs. Guy and child. The guard consists of Lieutenant Scott and 50 rank and file of the 11th Regiment, with 6 women and 8 children.

The Cornwall Chronicle
Wednesday 23 July 1845
The Usual Ceremony of cautioning the townspeople from giving credit to the soldiers on the faith of the credit of the regiment, was performed a few days ago, by a Serjeant and drummer walking through the principal streets, and warning all persons, that the commanding officer would not hold himself responsible for any debts contracted by the men of the 11th regiment.

The Cornwall Chronicle
Saturday 26 July 1845

POLICE REPORT. Wednesday. James Tilley and Thomas McKay were charged with stealing from the person of Robert Gardner, a private in the llth regiment, a purse containing sixteen shillings in silver. It appeared from the evidence of several witnesses that, last night, the prosecutor was drinking with some companions in the house of Mr. Taylor, when the prisoner Tully entered and took a seat by his side. Prosecutor shortly afterwards took out his purse for the purpose of paying for some liquor, when it was instantaneously snatched from him by the prisoner, who forthwith handed it over to his companion. A lad who acts as drummer to the regiment, on attempting to seize the delinquent, was instantly knocked down, but eventually the ruffian was secured. McKay returned to the public-house a few minutes afterwards, and being recognised as the individual who ran off with the purse, was instantly taken into custody. Both prisoners persisted in denying all knowledge of the transaction— but their assertions not being believed, they were of course remanded for further examination. 

Edward Warren, a third class probationer, was accused of assaulting Colour-sergeant Quinton in the execution of his duty. Complainant went on Tuesday night with the picquet to the house of Mr. Taylor, for the purpose of ordering to barracks some soldiers who were drinking there, when the bold probationer interfered, and called him and his companions all manner of abusive names. The bench thought proper, under such circumstances, to inflict a commensurate punishment, and sentenced the culprit to undergo a three months' ordeal at the treadmill, in order to prove how far such punishment might operate in inducing him to be more careful in future.

June 1845 - Coming to VDL

The 11th Regiment of Foot departed for the colonies of Australia in 1845, arriving in Van Diemen's Land. The chronicle starts in June 1845.

Launceston Advertiser (Tasmania/VDL)
Friday 6 June 1845
Chatham, Jan. 15.— This morning a detachment from the 11th Regiment of Foot, consisting of 44 rank and file, 4 sergeants, and 4 corporals, under the command of Major Harold and Ensign Hunter, marched from Brompton barracks to Gravesend, en route for Deptford, whence they will embark as a convict guard for New South Wales.


Cornwall Chronicle
Saturday 21 June 1845
HOBART TOWN SHIPPING
ARRIVALS
June 17 - Mount Stewart Elphinstone, 611 tons, 4 guns Holton, from Gravesend 7th March, with 259 prisoners - passengers, Dr. Gordon, R.N.,  Surgeon-Superintendent, Major Harold, Mrs. Harold, Ensign ?nter ; 51 rank and file 11th regiment, 7 women, and 13 children.

A Hstory of the 11th Regiment of Foot

I own a couple of histories of the 11th Regiment of Foot.

One is entitled "Historical record of the Eleventh, or the North Devon Regiment of Foot: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1685, and of its subsequent services to 1845", published by Parker, Furnivall and Parker, Military Library, Whitehall, 1845. The subject of the book is self-explanatory, and the book is accessible through Google books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=L7lCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR5#v=onepage&q&f=false
It contains a number of color plate illustrations, showing the regimental uniforms at various points in time.

My copy has clearly traveled. The inside cover and flyleaf are signed by the original owner of the book, H.M. Toller, Captain of the 11th Regiment. It contains on those pages a full account of his movements, from birth on 21 Feb 1840 to being gazetted into the 11th Regiment in 1858, and thence his movements across the world as a member of the regiment.

Hugh Montel Toller's genealogical lineage is conveniently traced on-line at http://www.archerfamily.org.uk.
 2. Hugh Montel, Captain, 11th Foot, Ensign on 31 Jul 1858, promoted Captain by purchase on 21 Aug 1867, retired in Feb 1878, later a tea planter of Scarborough and Annandale Estates, Maskeliya, Ceylon, b. 21 Feb 1840 at Sydenham, bapt St. George’s, Bloomsbury, m. Mona Antoinette Fanny, dau of Major General Alexander Henry Louis Wyatt, 11th Foot, of Horsted Keynes, Sussex and his wife Mona (née Rider). He d. 18 Jun 1895 (Will dated 12 Jan 1885 and proved 12 Dec 1895) and was buried at Maskeliya and she d. 9 Sep 1931 having had issue: 
a. Henry Chambers of Colombo, Ceylon, died 1 Sep 1961.
b. Charles Hugh Montel, Capt 3rd Battalion East Lnacashire Regiment, b 1880 in Ceylon, served Boer War, died 13 Dec 1965, Hardham, Sussex, England. Had issue.
c. Mona Violet Mary, born 27 May 1882 in Ceylon. Had issue.

In 1851 Hugh was living with his parents Charles (a proctor) and Charlotte, in the village of Sydenham, Kent. He was gazetted as an ensign in July 1858, and spent the majority of his career from that point out of England. The full chronology is shown above. A brief summary of major movements:

Born Feb 25 1840
July 21st 1858, Gazetted Ensign 11th Foot
Went to Ireland (various places)
July 2nd 1861, Gazetted Lieut 11th Foot
Went to India Jul 1864, Landed Calcutta Nov 1864 (stationed in various parts)
Gazetted Captain 11th Foot, Aug 21st 1867
Went to England Feb 1869 (stationed England and Ireland)
Went to India Nov 1871
Acting Paymaster February 1876
Went to England April 1877
Sold out 11th Regiment February 1878
Went to Ceylon February 1878 (living at various places including Scarborough, Annandale)
Went to England Oct 1890
Went to Ceylon May 1891
Intended sailing for England July 8th 1895, died June 18th 1895

There are three other documents included in this particular copy.

Firstly was the following loose article, undated. A search revealed this article appeared in Chamber's Edinburgh Journal, published in 1833. The article was reprinted in a number of 'anecdote' books.

The Last Duke of York
The last Duke of York once remarked to Colonel W., at the mess of the 11th Regiment, that the colonel was uncommonly bald, and, although a younger man than His Royal Highness, he stood more in need of a wig. The colonel, who had been of very long standing in the service, and whose promotion had been by no means rapid, informed the Duke that his baldness could easily be accounted for. "In what manner?" asked His Royal Highness, rather eagerly. To which Colonel W. replied, "By junior officers stepping over my head." The Duke was so pleased with the reply that the gallant colonel obtained promotion in a few days afterwards.

Secondly, a loose piece of paper with a list of Lieutenant-Colonels Commanding the Devonshire Regiment (Late 11th Regiment) from 1837 to 1887.

Thirdly, pasted onto the inside of the rear cover of the book is a very long newspaper article on the history of the Devonshire Regiment. The article again is pasted back-to-back (so only half the article is shown below), and is undated, though the name 'Devonshire Regiment' rather than '11th Regiment of Foot (North Devonshire)' suggests it was written after 1881 when the 11th was renamed to Devonshire Regiment. I could find uncover where it was published.

This book appears to have come into Toller's possession in 1877. Under his signature in the front of the book is written "Jubbulpore... January 1st 1877". This is consistent with his rank at the time also (Capt.). Perhaps he acquired it from a fellow member of the 11th also in India - the death rate was fairly atrocious at the time.

It is difficult to speculate on the book's path following his death. Clearly it was in the family possession when he died in 1895 in Ceylon as his movements are entered there, all in one hand and written in at the same time at some point after he died, from a document where Toller's movements were recorded. Toller's children died in both Ceylon and England. Whichever path it took, when I obtained it in 2011 it had spent a long period of time as part of a military book collection in France. It's fairly impressive that it was printed in England in 1845, was in India in 1877 and then in Ceylon when Toller was a planter there (and perhaps went back and forth to England with him), before somehow ending up in a collection in France. Now it's in the United States. Not bad traveling for a book!

A long memory

{News from New Zealand}

Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875)
Thursday 6 June 1867
A HARD CASE - One William Hennessay was brought before the Cundletown bench by constable Collins charged with having deserted from the XI. Regiment twelve years ago. It seems that the defendant was stupid enough to seek out Collins, who had served in the same company and regiment with him, for the purpose of renewing his old acquaintance ; whereupon he was at once taken into custody - not, we presume, for deserting, but for doing so foolish thing as making himself known to an old comrade, and thereby exhibiting a degree of verdancy which borders closely on imbecility. He was ordered to be sent to the military authorities in Sydney, who will doubtless be very much obliged to the constable for the return of so very bright a specimen. - Mann River News.