At this time, there was circulating a rumor that the 11th were to be forwarded straight on to New Zealand. This did not eventuate, and other regiments had already been allocated to that task.
Clearly colonial rivalry was well established:
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 1 November 1845
We are glad to perceive that the government has at length turned its attention to the defences of these colonies, and that a company of artillery may be expected to arrive almost immediately. The Times, in announcing the departure of the Equestrian for Van Diemen's Land, says:
The convict guard consists of a detachment of the 11th Regiment, from Chatham, the corps being under orders for New South Wales: a large portion will do duty on their passage to that distant colony as convict guards. A detachment of the Royal Artillery belonging to Captain Turner's company, 6th battalion, embark at the same time in the Equestrian for a passage to New South Wales, being the first artillerymen ever sent to that colony. The company was relieved, on Monday, from duty at the Tower, a fortnight before their regular change, for the purpose of facilitating their embarkation ; and the remainder of the company, under the command of Captain Turner, are expected to embark next week in another vessel for the same destination. Government has acted wisely in resolving to strengthen the forces in New South Wales, now a colony of great importance, in consequence of its vicinity to New Zealand ! !
The Australian (Sydney)
Saturday 1 November 1845
The Jane, for Launceston, was at Gravesend, on June 29th. The Castle Eden, with the head quarters of the 11th regiment and the Lloyds, with female prisoners, were to leave for these colonies on the 10th July. Port Phillip Herald, Oct 24.
The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas)
Wednesday 5 November 1845
Removal of Prisoners.— On Monday John Duffy and nine other convicts, who had been tried and sentenced at the last Supreme Court were marched from the Gaol, escorted by a guard of the 11th Regiment and a body of constables. Several of the men are intended for Port Arthur.
The Courier (Hobart, Tas)
Saturday 8 November 1845
IT was rumoured, in the early part of the week, that the 11th regiment would proceed on to New Zealand. The report seems premature and unlikely, as it is understood that the 69th regiment bave been sent out there direct from England.
Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 11 November 1845
THE 11TH REGIMENT.-The detachment of this corps, which arrived here by the Castle Eden, landed on Saturday, and marched to the temporary barracks on the Old Wharf. For the last two mornings they have taken a little gentle exercise, between 7 and 8 o'clock, in the domain, accompanied by the usual band of fifes and drums. The men appear fine, powerful young fellows, and in excellent health.
MILITARY.-The brig Louisa, from Hobart Town, brought 100 rank and file of the 11th Regiment, which came by the Castle Eden. The Louisa takes 100 rank and file of the 11th from Launceston to Norfolk Island to replace the detachment of the 58th at that Island ; whence she will convey that detachment to New Zealand to relieve the 96th, who will return to this colony. Cornwall Chronicle.
Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 18 November 1845
MILITARY PUNISHMENT -A private of the 11th Regiment was tried by a Garrison Court Martial for insubordination, in assaulting and threatening to stab a corporal of the detachment at Westbury. The Court found the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to be flogged. The sentence was carried into effect on Thursday morning at seven o'clock, in the presence of the whole of the military in garrison. He received one hundred and fifty lashes, and was then removed to the hospital. This was a light punishment for such an offence, compared with the sanguinary floggings of a few years ago, when the pressure from without in the shape of "public opinion expressed in the public Journals," led to an amelioration in the "mutiny act." Practical men, in general, tell us, that corporal punishment cannot be altogether dispensed with in the army, although, it seems, that less frequent inflictions, and a smaller number of lashes, answer the purpose of military discipline as well as when five hundred, seven hundred, and even nine hundred and ninety-nine lashes, which were so frequently inflicted for comparatively venial offences. It is now seven or eight months since a like "exhibition" in Launceston.-Cornwall Chronicle, Nov. 15.
Colonial Times (Hobart)
Tuesday 18 November 1845
THE SHIP "CASTLE EDEN."
The officers of the 11th Regiment entertained at dinner, on Tuesday last, Captain Baker of the Castle Eden and his officers. Lieutenant-Colonel Bloomfield passed a high eulogium on Capt. Baker in proposing his health, stating that he himself was an old soldier, had made many voyages, and in all classes of ships, but that he had never made so happy and comfortable a one as in the Castle Eden, where he was proud to say the most perfect harmony and good humour prevailed, emanating in a great degree from the considerate arrangements and many excellent qualities of Captain Baker, his very kind attention to both officers and soldiers, not forgetting tho good cheer and hospitality at his table, and the discipline of tho ship, which Colonel Bloomfield compared to that of a man-of-war. The Colonel concluded by communicating to Captain Baker that he was deputed by his brother officers to request his acceptance of a snuff-box. as a small token of their esteem and regard, and in remembrance of their agreeable and comfortable voyage, which would be presented to him on his
return to England; adding that he hoped sincerely that the11th Regiment would have the good fortune of again sailing with Captain Baker, and in the Castle Eden, when proceeding to India.
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 18 November 1845
ARMY
11th Foot- The remainder of this corps, consisting of ten sergeants and two hundred and forty rank and file, with thirty women and forty children, embarked on board the ship Ramilies, for Van Diemen's Land, under the command of Major Singleton, with Captains Blosse and Kenny, Lieutenant Parker, and Ensigns Stewart, Pontrille, McLean, Crooke, and Assistant-Surgeon Marshall, Captain Thornton, Ensigns Roe, and Paymaster Boyd, proceed by convict ship. Captain Tobin commands the depot. Lieut. D'Oyley goes to Sandhurst.
Colonial Times (Hobart)
Friday 21 November 1845
Our old Police acquaintance, Timothy Worster, was charged on Wednesday by the information of Mr. D. C. Symonds, with unlawfully purchasing a certain shirt from a certain private of the newly-arrived detachment of the 11th Regiment, named William Mortimer, the said shirt being designated a "regimental necessary." Timothy explained the case with his accustomed eloquence and ability ; he stated he went on board the Castle Eden, when Mortimer offered him "a something like a shirt," telling him that as it belonged to his "sea-kit," it was of no further use to him; a bargain was struck, and Timothy became, as he thought, the fortunate possessor of "a something like a shirt." For this offence he was now charged at the Police-office, but proving his case, by the evidence of the soldier, it was dismissed.
The Courier (Hobart, Tas)
Saturday 22 November 1845
SHIPPING NEWS
PORT OF HOBART TOWN
November 18 - Arrived the brig Governor Phillip, 188 tons, Handley, from Norfolk Island 1st November, with wool and pine-passengers, Mr. Ewing, Mrs. Brown and two children, 1 sergeant, 12 rank and file 11th regiment, and 60 male prisoners.
Colonial Times (Hobart)
Tuesday 25 November 1845
POSTSCRIPT.
This morning the troop-ship Ramilies arrived from England the 6th August. She brings no mail, and but a few letters and newspapers ; the only intelligence we have had time to obtain is, that the wool and oil markets maintain their prices, and all probability of war with America had ceased. The Ramilies has on board a subaltern and 20 men of Capt. Turner's Company of the Royal Artillery, and the remainder of the 11th Regiment.
The Courier (Hobart, Tas)
Saturday 29 November 1845
Orders have been transmitted to New South Wales to detach six companies belonging to the 58th, 96th, and 99th regiments, to New Zealand. Six companies of the 11th regiment, at present on passage to New South Wales, are also ordered to be detached to New Zealand ; and four companies only of each of these regiments are to remain at head-quarters.
Colonial Times (Hobart)
Friday 28 November 1845
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
PORT OF HOBART TOWN.
November 25 - Arrived the barque Ramilies. 740 tons.-.Maclean master, from London the 5th of August. Passengers- Captain Henderson, Lieut. the Hon. W. Yelverton, and 29 men of the Royal Artillery, with 4 women and 3 children ; Major Singleton, Captain Blosse, Captain Kenney, Lieut. Parker, Ensigns Crook, Stewart, and Maclean, Assist. Surgeon Marshall, and 233 men of the 11th Regiment, with 36 women and 34 children ; 13 men of tho 58th Regiment, 43 men of the 96th, and 5 men of the 99th.
The Observer (Hobart)
SOLDIERS' CLOTHING.-Timothy Worster, who was last week acquitted on a charge preferred against him for purchasing soldier's necessaries, was had up before the Police on a similar charge on Friday last. He was fined £5, and costs of the Court, besides three shillings which was the value of the articles purchased by him from a soldier of the 11th regiment.
The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas)
Saturday 29 November 1845
HOBART TOWN POLICE
[FROM THE H. T. ADVERTISER.]
SYMONS V. WORSTER.
THIS was an information preferred by the Chief District Constable, against Mr. Timothy Worster, the well known dealer in miscellaneous goods, from a turnip to a darning needle— or from pound of treacle to a frying-pan. The information set forth that the defendant had purchased from George Mortimer, a private soldier of the 11th regiment of infantry, certain regimental necessary, to wit, a striped shirt, of the value of 1s. Constable Henry Lemon Taylor deposed that, on the 18th instant he went to defendant's house to execute a search warrant, and there found the articles now produced, viz., two regimental shirts and a pair of shoes. For the latter, defendant said be had given 1s to a soldier ; and for the shirts the price was to be 1s each, but which he bad paid for in bread. All the articles were received from privates of the 11th regiment, now quartered in Hobart Town. The Defendant— Do you call them there "a pair" of shoes? Put on your specs, if you can see no better than that, and you'll find they are two odd 'uns, and no "pair" at all. Now that there's the first pint as I takes agin this here information. It's floored by this blunder, and that's flat. (Laughter.) Taylor said he would alter his evidence, and call them not a pair, but two shoes. Defendant— Then again I'm charged here with that ere shirt being a "regimental necessary." Now, its no necessary at all, sitch a shirt as that doesn't belong to a soldier's "kit." Whoever saw such a thing as that on the back of one of the Queen's private soldiers ?— why its nothing but a bit of dirty-looking striped bunting, as isn't fit for a dish-clout; I tell you it's not shore stock, but sea stock, given out to men when on a voyage ; it belongs to no kit at all. Will you swear that's a regimental shirt ? Taylor— I'll swear it has regimental numbers, and the crown marked on it. Defendant—Look at the articles of war (laughter) and you'll find its no regimental necessary at all. I was seven years a soldier under George the Third, and ought to know what a regimental necessary is. George Mortimer, the soldier, deposed that be had the shirt given to him by the Quarter-Master, when on board the Castle Eden, and having come out thus far, he thought it would be of no further use to him. He had told the defendant that he (Mortimer) had liberty to dispose of the shirt. Defendant— I didn't do it in a "concealing" way, I gave the things to the constable when he came. - - - Look at the articles of war, and if I've done anything wrong, there's the law to inflict me. (Roars of laughter.) I've known such things sold by sergeants, corporals, and all such like commanding officers. (Laughter.) The magistrates dismissed the case.
SYMONS V. WORSTER.
After the hearing in the above case, in the after part of the day, the defendant who had been rejoicing with that renowned personage "Sir John Barleycorn" over his victory, got into some row with a man, and was conveyed to the lock-up. His wife, about eight o'clock in the evening, repaired to the police-office, and finding that he was in durance vile, went away with the avowed intention of procuring bail for his appearance, but did not return. About two o'clock in the morning, however, Timothy was liberated on his own bail. He proceeded to his domicile and there, to his horror, be discovered a man named Ryan, T. L., under the bed of his faithless spouse. Worster pulled him out, but the fellow knocked him down. A constable was called in, and Ryan was secured. He was brought up next day, and sentenced to four months on the roads.
Interested in anything to do with the 11th Regiment, particularly 1845-1848.
ReplyDeleteI too am interested as both my gg grandfather and gg uncle were soldiers of the 11th. They were moved on to Victoria Barracks in Sydney
ReplyDeleteMy ancestor was Richard Bruce, a soldier in this regiment. His daughters married soldiers in the same regiment, Edward Sibley and William JamesThorne.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
My ancestors were John Howarth and his brother Shepherd Howarth who travelled to Australia with the British Army 11th Regiment aboard the Castle Eden in 1845. Any help would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Jennifer from the post in 2017. Have collected bits and pieces about the regiment. Happy to share. My lot didn't travel on the Castle Eden but probably were on the Mayda. J
DeleteLt William Chalmers of the 11th was the second in command of the troops on the Equestrian taking c 290 convicts to van Diemens Land. Departed July 1845 from Deptford and Woolwich.
ReplyDeleteHe died at sea on 14th March 1848. Going back to England? Going to Australia? I cannot find any details. He was the nephew of my 3xgreat-grandfather. Would appreciate any help in trying to find more info/details. Thanks!