Home > Records > Military service records > British Army > John Burke (1795–1839) of Claremorris
Private John Burke served as regimental tailor for first, the 96th regiment of foot from 1817–1818, and second, the 39th regiment from 1819–1838. The following are transcripts from:
(I.) the Regimental Service Register for John Burke’s service with the 96th Regiment of Foot in Canada, 1817; and,
(II.) the British Army service and discharge record for John Burke of or near the town of Claremorris in the parish of Kilcolman (1795–1839).
I. WO 25: Regimental Service Register, 1817 : 1
Name: Burke John
Size at enlistment: 5′ 9-1/2″
Age at enlistment: 22 years
Under the heading, Description:
Complexion: Swarthy
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Brown
Where born: Mayo Kilcoman [sic]
Trade or occupation: Taylor [sic]
Under the heading, Attestation:
Place: Mullingar
Date: 24 December 1817
For what period of service: Life
By whom enlisted: at Hd Qrs
II. WO 97: Discharge Documents : 2
Page 1 :
Her Majesty’s 39th Regiment of Foot.
Whereof Lieut General The Hon’ble Sir R.W. O’Callaghan is Colonel.
No. 125. John Burke Private Born in the Parish of Kilcolman in or near the Town of Claremorris in the County of Mayo by Trade a Tailor
Attested for the 96th Regiment of Foot at Mullingar in the County of Westmeath on the 24 March 1817, at the Age of Twenty two Years.
1st Service. After the Age of 18 Years, which he is entitled to reckon up to the 20 July 1838, is Twenty One Years and Twenty eight days.
The Statement of which is as follows:
96 foot, Private, from 24 March 1817 to 10 Dec’r 1818: 1 Year 262 Days,
39 foot, Reinlisted, Private, from 13 March 1819 to 21 July 1838: 19 Years 131 Days,
Total of the foregoing Statement: 21 Years 28 Days,
Total Service up to the 21 July 1838: 21 Years 28 Days,
Further Service from the 22 July 1838 to the 8 Aug 1838 when finally discharged: 18 Days,
Total Service allowed to reckon to the day of final discharge: 21 Years 46 Days.
Page 2 :
[1st.] SERVED. The whole Period at Home.
2nd. DISABILITY, or Cause of Discharge. Being unfit for furthe[r] Service as appears by the Annexed Medical Certificate. Authority for Discharge Dated Horse Guards the 17th July 1838.
3rd. CHARACTER. The Regimental Board is of opinion, that his Character is very good.
4th. PAY and CLOTHING. He has received all just Demands from his Entry into the Service, up to the 21st July 1838
I John Burke his mark X
Certified H. Anderson – Staff Captain
I CERTIFY that the foregoing Statements are correct Extracts from the Regimental Records, and the Proceedings of the Regimental Board.
WJ Sutherland 21 Fus. Major, and President.
Confirmed by me, [illegible],
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding.
Chatham Barracks
21st July 1838
Page 3 :
Proceedings of a Regimental Board,
held in conformity to the Articles of War, for the purpose of verifying and recording the Services, Conduct, Character, and Cause of Discharge of No. 125 John Burke Private of the 39th Regiment of Foot.
Chatham Barracks 21st July 1838.
President W.J. Sutherland Bt. [illegible] 21st Fus’r
Members G. Baldwin Captain 31st Reg’t J. Crofton Captain P. Reg’t
John A Burke appeared, and the Board having personally examined and compared the Regimental Records, the Soldiers’ Book, and other documents, report to the following effect,
Born, in the Parish of Kilcolmanin or near the Town of Claremorris in the County of Mayo by Trade a Tailor
Attested, for the 96th Regiment of Foot at Mullingar in the County of Westmeath on the 24 March 1817, at the Age of Twenty two Years.
Service, which he is entitled to reckon, after making every deduction required by Her Majesty’s Regulations, up to the 21st July 1838 is Twenty One Years and Twenty eight Days — the details of which, as extracted from the Regimental documents, are stated on the following page…
Page 4 :
96 foot, Private, from 24 March 1817 to 10 Dec’r 1818: 1 Year 262 Days,
Discharged on disbandment of the Corps
39 foot, Reinlisted, Private, from 13 March 1819 to 21 July 1838: 19 Years 131 Days,
Total, 21 Years 28 Days
Served The whole Period at Home.
Page 5 :
Detailed Medical Report, on the case of John Bourke 39th Regiment, Invalided and sent to General Hosp’l Fort Pitt 6th June 1838.
1st. John Bourke 39th Regiment
2d. Age 43 years
3d. Total Service 21 Years except 6 Days has never been on Foreign Service
Suffers from Chronic Pains in his Loins and left arm
The pains in his Loins came on 4 years ago those of his arm 2 years
In Chatham Barracks
Are attributable to Impaired constitution from the Effects of Ague
Do not appear to have been aggravated by vice or misconduct
Has been in the Hospital for Ague and pain at Pit of Stomach twice for the latter affection and once for the former being Employed as a Tailor with his Depot put off applying for Medical Treatment for the Rheumatic affection
He is unfit for the Active duties of a Soldier in consequence of the Rheumatic affection and Impaired constitution.
He is by Trade a Tailor
Sam [Wilson?] M.D.
[illegible]
Page 6 :
Disability or Cause of Discharge. Being unfit for further Service as appears by the Annexed Medical Certificate. Authority for Discharge Dated Horse Guards the 17th July 1838.
Conduct and Character. The Officers composing the Board having examined the Defaulters’ Book, and received parole testimony from Lieut Dove 3d or Buffs Commanding 39th Depot, are of Opinion that his Character is very good.
Pay and Clothing. John Burke being asked up to what period he has been paid, answered that his Account was balanced up to the 21 of the present Month, being further asked whether he has any other claim on the Regiment for Arrears of Pay, Allowances, or Clothing, answered that, he has no unsatisfied claim whatever.
Page 7 & 7a :
The Board have verified that his Soldiers’ Book is correctly balanced, and signed by the Officer Commanding his Company, and they further declare that they have impartially enquired into, and faithfully reported their Opinion on all the matters brought before them, in accordance with the Regulations and Instructions issued by Her Majesty’s Orders.
W.J. Sutherland Bt. Maj’r. 21st. President.
Members
Geo. Baldwin Capt 31 Reg’t
J.Crofton Captain 6th [illegible]
Approved [illegible]
Chatham 21 July 1838
I Certify that the Attestation of No. 125 Private John Burke of the 39th Regiment is not in possession of the Depot.
L.L. Dove
Lieut. 3 or Buffs
Com’g 39 Depot
Page 8 :
OPINION. Of the Principal Medical Officer, at Chatham July 23, 1838 after examination at this [the?] General Hospital I am of opinion that John Burke is unfit for service & is likely to be permanently incapacitated for military duty; & I approve of the opinion of the Surgeon.
J. Davy[?]
A.J.H.
Horse Guards, 8 Aug’t 1838
Confirmed
Wm Carknane[?] [illegible]
DECISION. The Commissioners award [blank] to receive a Pension of [blank] a day, commencing [blank]
[blank]
Secretary, or Chief Clerk.
DESCRIPTION. Of John Burke at the time of his Discharge.
He is 43 1/12 Years of Age, 5 Feet 9 1/2 Inches in Height, Brown Hair, Grey Eyes, Swarthy Complexion
By Trade a Tailor
When he left the Inv Depot Rich’d Palmer was the Pay-Serjeant of his Company.
MARCHING ALLOWANCE. [Blank] received from [blank] at [blank] on the [blank] Days’ Marching Allowance to carry him to [blank] the place of his enlistment, or to [blank] the Port at which he is to embark on the way to the place of his enlistment.
Page 9 :
G33584 – Paid to June 1839 – Off non appearance
Capt’n Nicholson in behalf of Widow for Marriage Cert’n Ans’d 6/7/68 off LB3
Page 10 :
RECORD of the Services of John Burke
First Enlisted into the Army, for the 96th Regiment of Foot, on 24th of March 1817, at the Age of Twenty two Years.
[Headings across top of table:]
Regiment; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties, &c.; Rank; Period of Service in each Rank: From – To; Amount of Service: Years – Days.
96th; ——; Private; 24th March 1817 – 10th December 1818; 1 years, 262 days. discharged on Disbandment of the Corps.
39th; Reinlisted; Do.; 13th March 1819 – 31 December 1828; 9 years, 294 days.
[Total.] 11 years, 191 days.
Total Service to be reckoned to 31st Dec’r 1828.
Eleven Years and One Hundred and Ninety One Days.
J Hanby War Office
S Need Maj’r Gen’l President
[Continuation of table:]
39; ——; Private; 1 Jan’y – 21 July 1838; 9 years, 202 days
[Total.] 21 years, 28 days.
Ordered to be discharged Authority Dated Horse Guards 17 July 1838.
I Certify that the Above is a correct Statement of the Services of John Burke to the 21 July 1838.
LL Dove
Lieut 3d or Buffs
Com’g 39 Depot
Footnotes :
- British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900. John Burke born c.1795 in the parish of Kilcolman, county Mayo; tailor, 96th regiment. Original record: The National Archives, Kew, Surrey, UK; ref. WO 25, 96 Foot, piece 539. Digital image online at Ancestry™ (accessed 2015-04-11); transcript by Alison Kilpatrick). ↩︎
- British Army Service Records, 1760–1913. John Burke (1795–1839) of Claremorris, county Mayo; regimental tailor for the 39th Regiment of Foot. Original record held by The National Archives (Kew, Surrey); archival ref. WO 97/551/9. Digital images held online by FindMyPast™ (accessed 2012-03-25); transcript by Alison Kilpatrick). ↩︎
End notes :
Source citation for this page: — British Army Service Records, 1760–1913. John Burke (1795–1839) of Claremorris, county Mayo; regimental tailor for the 39th Regiment of Foot. Original record held by The National Archives (Kew, Surrey); archival ref. WO 97/551/9. Transcript by Alison Kilpatrick; hosted online at Arborealis, arborealis.ca/records/military/british-army/john-burke-d1839, accessed [insert date of access].
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Updated 29th Nov. 2023.