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Funny you should mention that. I was having trouble tracing Francis Randall before he joined the EICA as store sergeant in Trichi at the ripe old age of 50. Then a fellow researcher had the brilliant idea of looking for him in the British regiments, and found his transfer papers from the 22nd Dragoons. The Dragoons had disbanded that year, and Francis was married to a native girl so he opted to stay in India. It’s an interesting tip for any other FIBIS members who have come up against a brick wall in their research.
best
JenniferThanks so much for that, Sean.
I have read a bit about the 22nd and 25th Dragoons and their adventures around the world in the National Archives, although it seems I’ll have to go there in person one day to further my research.
Interestingly, I found a detailed account of the invasion of Java in a book called “Tears of the Rajas” by Ferdinand Mount. He appears to have had an ancestor who was involved in the whole misadventure, albeit in a far higher-ranking capacity than my Francis Randall. Nevertheless, he describes actions in which the 22nd were involved, and no doubt also the 69th Foot. The book is beautifully written – detailed, gossipy, opinionated, amusing, and above all, well-researched. I would recommend it to anyone with a connection to India and the British Raj.
I’ll keep FIBIS members updated if I find any records not already digitised on the site.
all the best
JenniferHi Nicola, I haven’t been able to get out to India yet – we’ve had to put it off and are hoping to go out this year. I think I’ve got as far as I can get using online records, so I’m still hoping to find someone in India who can help me trace my Indian native ancestors who are not on British records. I’ve managed to break down some brick walls in unexpected ways, so I’m not giving up hope of finding out the whole story. Jennifer
