A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I was introduced to
family history research by my sister, Jill CHAMBERS in the 1980's, both
she and I have diversified considerably since then. She is interested in 'Convicts
and men transported, as well as rioters and Protestors', and her publications
and indexes are considerable, my interest is military history in relation to
family history specializing in the Napoleonic period.
I was born in
Edinburgh, Scotland, but having been brought up in the Royal Air Force have no
particular home town, I now live in East Lothian. My family, however originate
from opposite ends of Britain. My father's family the CHAMBERS had lived
on the Isle of Wight which is off the south coast of England, for at least a
couple of centuries. With one exception until my grandfather moved to
Portsmouth, Hampshire, which is just across the water from the Island in around
1914, all branches of his family were from the Isle of Wight. The Island names
are CHAMBERS, GUBBINS, CLARKE, BANNISTER & DAY among others.
The exception being the COLLETT family, a Mary COLLETT formerly
of Arlington Row, Arlington in the parish of Bibury, Gloucestershire,
married Jacob CHAMBERS at West Cowes, Isle of Wight on 20th
October 1852. Her father Thomas COLLETT had a brother John. It was John
COLLETT that began my interest in the Military
History
Arlington Row, Arlington, Bibury,
Gloucestershire, England
My mother's family
all came from the east coast of Scotland, either from East Lothian or
Berwickshire, my parents met while they were both serving in the Royal Air
Force during the 2nd World War. The family names there are among
others PEARSON, HILL, NESBITT, GREENLAW, AITCHISON.
I have been
researching the Napoleonic Wars in
general and more specifically the 1st or Grenadier Foot Guards for
around 1993. I have had considerable help and encouragement from the Regiment,
and still frequently visit the Regimental Archives as the work is still on
going. My interest is in the people, although I have learnt a considerable
amount about the involvement of the Army during this time. Among my work
I am publishing some information on other Regiments in the form of indexes.
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