| PERSONAL DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Name/Alias | Alexander WEIR |
| Birth date and place | 25 Nov 1810 North Berwick, Haddingtonshire (now East Lothian), Scotland. |
| Baptism date and place | 9 Jan 1811 St Andrews Church, North Berwick, Haddingtonshire. |
| Civil Census Residences | Sapper Quarters, opp. North Arch, Artillery Place, Woolwich, Kent, England (1851). See Musters below (1841, 1851). |
| Trade | Slater/Bricklayer (WO97). Carpenter (WO11-126). |
| Physical Description | Height: 5 ft. 8 ins. Complexion: dark. Eyes: light grey. Hair: grey. |
| Marriage date and place | 5 Apr 1833 St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham, Kent. |
| Spouse | Hannah PRICE. |
| Children | Alexander S b. 1833, Chatham, Kent. John T b. 1837, Halifax, Nova Scotia. James b. 1840, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Stephen b. 1842, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Elizabeth b. 1844, Woolwich, Kent. Jabez P b. 1847, Gibraltar. Hannah b. 1849, Gibraltar. Cecelia b. 1851 at sea on ‘Anna Robertson’ en route from London to Western Australia (tentative). |
| Death date and place | 22 Jun 1888 Melbourne Benevolent Asylum, Hotham, Victoria. |
| Burial date and place | June 1888 General Cemetery, Melbourne, Victoria. |
| Will and Probate | |
| Death/Funeral Notices | |
| ARMY SERVICE DETAILS | |
| Corps and Company | Royal Engineers 20th Company (formerly Royal Sappers & Miners). |
| Service No. and Rank | #1393 Private. |
| Attestation date and place | 31 Jan 1831 Edinburgh. |
| Service/Campaigns | Gibraltar 6 years. Halifax, Nova Scotia 6 years 1 month. Western Australia 3 years 6 months. |
| Musters | WO11-91 3rd Company, Halifax, Nova Scotia (1841). WO11-123 2nd Company, Woolwich (1851). WO11-130 (1851) to WO11-142 (1855), Western Australia. |
| Promotions | None. |
| Medals, Clasps and Badges | Three Good Conduct Badges. |
| Casualty/Medical | Chronic Rheumatism. While employed in Western Australia two years ago [1853], he was much exposed to wet weather, and performed his working duties in a swamp, from which he became affected with Rheumatism in his loins and lower limbs, which still continues. Disability caused by his military service.
Unfit for service and likely to be permanently disqualified for military duty, but able to contribute to something towards his livelihood [Woolwich 20 July 1855]. |
| Courts Martial | At Brompton Barracks on 29 Sep 1832 for being absent without leave. Convicted and sentenced to 14 days imprisonment which was inflicted. Imprisoned 27 Sep to 12 Oct 1832.
At Woolwich on 23 Jan 1836 for refusing to do his work and making his escape. Convicted and sentenced to 12 days solitary confinement, of which 1 day and 20 hours were remitted. Imprisoned 20 Jan to 1 Feb 1836. At Halifax, N.S. on 11 Oct 1836 for using threatening language to a non-commissioned officer. Convicted and sentenced to 30 days imprisonment which was inflicted. Imprisoned 8 Oct to 10 Nov 1836. At Gibraltar on 4 Apr 1848 for habitual drunkenness. Convicted and sentenced to forfeit his wine for 6 months, and 8 days solitary confinement which was inflicted. |
| Discharge date and place | 14 Aug 1855 Woolwich. |
| Length of Service | 24 years 127 days. |
| Chelsea Pension Reference | WO97-1364-183. |
| Post Discharge Residence | Not stated. |
| Pension District | Woolwich (1855). Melbourne (Q3 1857). |
| Pension | 1/1½d. per diem. |
| ARRIVAL IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA | |
| Ship | Anna Robertson. |
| Departure and Arrival dates | Dep. Woolwich 10 Sep 1851. Arr. Fremantle 18 Dec 1851. |
| Occupations post-arrival in WA | Instructing Warder [Barker p.212]. See sidebar. Guildford Convict Depot Sep 1853 for one month. |
| Subscriptions to Funds | None. |
| Land Acquisition | None in Western Australia. |
| Newspaper Articles | |
| Ship ex-WA | Devonshire. |
| Departure date and destination | Dep. Fremantle 5 Mar 1855 for Cape of Good Hope and London. |
| Ship ex-England | Talbot. |
| Departure date and destination | Dep. England 21 May 1857; Arr. Queenscliff, Victoria 25 Aug 1857. |
