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29 Jul 2010Chelsea Pensioners 1760-1854 just launched
We’ve just added 184,650 records and 1,003,794 images to our Chelsea Pensioners collection for the period 1760-1854.
This brings the total amount of Chelsea Pensioner records and images on findmypast.co.uk to 691,520 records and 4,200,729 images.
These records are of men pensioned out of the British Army 1760-1913. The connection with ‘Chelsea Pensioners’ is that the pensions were administered through The Royal Hospital at Chelsea.
Remember that these records are free to search, like all the records on findmypast.co.uk. Even if you don’t think that any of your ancestors could have been Chelsea Pensioners, give searching the records a go – your ancestor may have only served in the army for a short time before they were pensioned out.
When you’ve viewed these records you’ll realise how special they are. They help you to build up a picture of your ancestor as they contain detailed descriptions of a soldier’s physical appearance and any distinguishing features, such as tattoos or scars. The records are the next best thing to looking at a photograph of your ancestor; there are usually six or seven records for each soldier.
We’re working in association with The National Archives and in partnership with FamilySearch on this ongoing project. Here’s a full breakdown of which records we’ve already published on the site and which are still to come:
| Date range | Approx no. of records |
Approx no. of images |
When available |
| WO97 1760-1854 | 184,650 | 1,003,794 | Now |
| WO97 1855-1872 | 96,434 | 437,825 | Now |
| WO97 1873-1882 | 97,515 | 540,423 | Now |
| WO97 1883-1900 | 312,921 | 2,218,687 | Now |
| WO97 1901-1913 | 303,000 | 2.1 million | Sept 2010 |
| WO96 1806-1915 | 500,000 | 3.5 million | Sept 2011 |
We’ll be releasing records for 1900-1913 shortly.
Search for your ancestors now in our Chelsea Pensioner records.
I have found a possible relative in the Chelsea Pensioner Records
John STAPLETON born about 1812, attested 1831 spent over 16 years in NSW and East Indies in 4th regiment of foot. Discharged at Madras in 1848 unfit for further service.
I’ve not found any further trace of him. Maybe he never left India.
How were the pensioners paid and are there any records available such as payment records and location for payment purposes?
As an out pensioner there must have been some sort of records kept.
Bill Deverell
Have you looked on the FIBIS (Families in British India Society) website? There are now over 3/4 million searchable entries on thier database including the death of a John Stapleton in Madras in 1851. Do take a look as there are embarkation records, marriage, etc etc
Having looked through a CD of the Nottinghamshire burials ffrom the NFHS I found one of my relatives burial record had a note stating ‘Waterloo Man’. Looking through the census I found him at the Royal Hospital at Greenwich
……. continuing from previous
His name was Thomas Sheldon and he was my Great, Great, Great Uncle and was born in Beeston, Nottingham.
I found his details in the Chelsea Pensioners records.
Born in 1795 he was attested at Boston Lincolnshire on 17th August 1811 for the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a Driver at 16 years old (underage), then was listed as a Driver in the Royal Horse Artillery from 1st July 1813 until 13 October 1840 when he was medically discharged from the army. He is shown in his discharge papers as having been at The Battle of Waterloo and in France for 3 years 6 months and is shown in the 1841 Census return at the Royal Ordnance Hospital and Quarters in Woolwich working as the Driver for the Director General of the Hospital, Captn John Webb.
He was still there in 1851 as the driver for the then retired Captn Webb, in 1861 he had moved back to Arnold in Nottingham and was shown in the census as a Chelsea Pensioner.
He died in 1876 in Arnold and was buried in the local parsih church of St Marys, his death was also reported in the Notinghamshire Guardian with the headline ‘Death of a Waterloo Veteran’.
My 5 Great-Grandpa Samuel Wignall (Regiment 38) served in the Napoleonic War from 1805-1818. He was discharged at age 30. I can’t find him anywhere on findmypast’s chelsea pension records. However, I know he did apply for a pension because he appeared on the National Archives list under chelsea pensioners. The item reference is WO 97/549/84. I saw that findmypast posted WO97 records, but I still can’t find him. Any ideas?
I am searching for my GG g’father John Smith B:1824 Campbeltown,Kircudsbrightshire, Scotland. 1861 census listed as Serj Major, St Martins of the Fields Charing Cross. St Georges Barracks.
On 1871 census listed @nd master, Active duty,Chelsea barracks for 2nd batt Scots Guards, the Queen’s Royal regiment.
The youngest Dau was listed as born in Montreal Canada B:1864 on 1871 census. Did that mean he travelled and in what category whilst serving? Apparently between 1861 & 1871 he was commissioned as a Quartermaster (what does that mean?) and apparently termed ‘honorary Lieutenant’can this please be explained?
He wasn’t listed on 1881 census just his wife Hannah Smith (nee Land) who was lited as anniulant residing in Ridgeway st district: Ripley. Did he die whilst in ‘active duty’? so many ??? would be grateful for any answers. Much thanks Lyn
Sorry It was meant to say ’2nd’ master not ‘@nd’.
Cheers Lyn