Capt. Francis John Bellew , H.C.S. Issue. "G'day folks, I think that Mike wanted to post this to the List. ------- Forwarded message follows ------- From: "Mike Whitehead" To: Subject: Henry PIERCY Date sent: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 09:21:04 +0100 Hi Listers The above soldier's regimental papers confirm that Henry Piercy, born Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland 20/3/1820 enlisted by purchase as an Ensign in the 2nd Queens Foot on 9/3/1838. He made Lieutenant without purchase and then on 7/8/1846 transferred to the 75th Foot by exchange. On 12/8/1847 he became Paymaster and in this rank then moved by exchange to the 37th Foot on 16/6/1848. He served in the East Indies, Scinde and Ceylon. On 19/10/1847 he married Matilda Anne Temple Bellew at St. Georges Hanover Square, London. Their daughters were Frances and Ellen - the latter having been born in New York in1860. Matilda's father was Capt. Frances John Bellew of the HEICS and author of "Memoirs of a Griffin". Henry Piercy's papers state that he was placed on the half pay of his former commission of Lieutenant 14/5/1850. I have searched the Paymaster General's Army Half pay Establishment Books for 1848-1853 vol1-2 KTOZ and can find no reference to my man. The papers are indistinct but it looks as though he was at "Monahur" at some stage. Wherever that is. Where else might any record of his pension be found? Was the rank of Paymaster equivalent to Major? I am fairly sure that this was how Piercy described himself in later life. I am assuming that the East Indies were in fact the Indian sub-continent and not farther East? What was going on in Ceylon? Where can I read up on this? Any steer would be most welcome. Mike Whitehead in very sunny Surrey, UK. "
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