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Middlesex connections with the AZW
Paul Bryant-Quinn


Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Posts: 551
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Does anyone happen to know of any references to soldiers or others who took part in the AZW who came from Middlesex? I would be particularly interested in references to the Ruislip / Uxbridge area.

Regards,

Paul
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Martin Everett


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 786
Location: Brecon
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Paul,

Difficulties are that most of London was classed as Middlesex on Army Dcomuents of the period. Only one from 24th fits your selection criteria - 25B/1323 John Harding 2/24th H Coy who rose to Warrant Officer before drink got the better of him.

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Martin Everett
Brecon, Powys
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Paul Bryant-Quinn


Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Posts: 551
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Many thanks Martin

Do the records say anything about where he came from?

Regards,

Paul
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Martin Everett


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 786
Location: Brecon
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Paul

HARDING John Charles � Corporal � 25B/1323 � 2nd/24th H Company
Born:Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England March quarter 1861.
Parents:
Joseph Daniel Harding born in Hillingdon c.1822,
Mary Ann Harding nee Hillier born in Uxbridge c.1823,
they married at Uxbridge June quarter 1845.

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Martin Everett
Brecon, Powys
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Paul

Martin has highlighted the main problem, with Middlesex beginning on the northern bank of the Thames, and Surrey (e.g. Southwark) and Kent (Deptford etc) on the southern bank. (And the anomalous Woolwich on both, providing Cantium with a foothold on the wrong side of the river!)

In fact, while "official" documents may have retained the style of describing anywhere north of the Thames as Middlesex or Essex, in practice Victorians increasingly used "London" as the location for addresses in Westminster, Holborn, Kensington and those districts further out - what we'd describe as central London today and which, from about the mid-Victorian period(?) were allocated the postal codes of N,W, S and E, which were sufficient to find someone. The Square Mile itself was always an exception of course.

As we can see from Martin's example, by the 1870s there is much more of a chance of a soldier who described his birthplace as Middlesex actually originating from somewhere in that county that we'd still recognise as being in Midd'x today. However, it's always something that has to be borne in mind before, say, the 20th century. Think Lord's and the Oval and the sides disporting themselves thereat and you won't go far wrong!

Peter
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John Young


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 1020
Location: Lower Sheering, Essex
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Paul,

The 17th Lancers were barracked at Hounslow when they received their marching orders so not a million miles away from the Lido!

Obviously the 57th Regiment were the West Middlesex.

Fred Hitch was from Middlesex, but East rather than West.

John Y.
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Julian whybra


Joined: 03 Sep 2005
Posts: 437
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Actually Peter, North Woolwich in Essex was transferred to Kent at some point between 1066 x 1086 by way of a 'gift' from William the Bastard himself. It wasn't reclaimed till 1974 - about time!
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Julian

Like most of a certain age, I have been known to curse many of the 1974 county boundary (and name) changes, as well as the district councils spawned simultaneously. I don't recall many tears being shed in Kent over the "loss" of North Woolwich(!) although it must have been a sad day for historical reasons. I wonder if the Men of Kent and Kentish Men commuting daily on the ferry were suddenly required to carry an Essex visa?

The circumstances of the "gift" would be interesting, as the county's motto, Invicta, is traditionally derived (albeit perhaps rather tenuously) from her initial opposition to William.

Please excuse the hijacking of your thread, Paul. Wink

Peter
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Paul Bryant-Quinn


Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Posts: 551
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Many thanks to all of you for the references. As a Ruislip lad born and bred, it's good to know more about those who came from the area.

Regards,

Paul
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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From Ruislip to the Canaries??? Or does Delia hail from there as well?

P.
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Paul Bryant-Quinn


Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Posts: 551
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Peter

The Canaries? I suppose you mean Norwich City Football Club rather than the holiday destination!

Wink

Well I remember Graham Paddon single-handedly destroying Arsenal, at Highbury, with a hat-trick in the quarter finals of the 1972 League Cup ...
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Middlesex connections with the AZW
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