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The '''Unattached List''' recorded Warrant Officers ([[Conductors]] and Sub- Conductors) and Non-Commissioned Officers (mainly Sergeants) who were not attached to a regiment. This mainly covered soldiers working for the [[Ordnance]], [[Commissariat]] and [[Public Works Department]]s.  Before 1859 this list was known as the '''Town Major's List''' in Bengal/Bombay and [[Effective Supernumerary|Effective Supernumeraries]] in Madras.
The '''Unattached List''' recorded Warrant Officers ([[Conductors]] and Sub- Conductors) and Non-Commissioned Officers (mainly Sergeants) who were not attached to a regiment. Note the more senior Warrant Officers could be promoted to Honorary Officer rank.
 
The Unattached List mainly covered soldiers working for the [[Ordnance]], [[Commissariat]] and [[Public Works Department]]s.  Before 1859 this list was known as the '''Town Major's List''' in Bengal/Bombay and [[Effective Supernumerary|Effective Supernumeraries]] in Madras.


G.O.G.G. of 24th November 1821, in respect of Bengal,  issued the "Rules for the re-establishment of the Town Major’s List".<ref>[http://www.google.com/books?id=26sEAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA2-PA71 ''Calcutta Annual Register 1821''] Retrieved 28 Jul 2014.</ref> The staff it applied to included the Ordnance and Army Commissariats, and all Departments of Army or Garrison Staff, Public Offices, Military Agencies, Charitable Asylums, and the Stud and  Ecclesiastical Department.
G.O.G.G. of 24th November 1821, in respect of Bengal,  issued the "Rules for the re-establishment of the Town Major’s List".<ref>[http://www.google.com/books?id=26sEAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA2-PA71 ''Calcutta Annual Register 1821''] Retrieved 28 Jul 2014.</ref> The staff it applied to included the Ordnance and Army Commissariats, and all Departments of Army or Garrison Staff, Public Offices, Military Agencies, Charitable Asylums, and the Stud and  Ecclesiastical Department.


In respect of the later years (1900 onwards) "...the term 'Unattached List' refers to those British Army NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) who were seconded from their regiments to do duty with the Indian Army mainly in the following administrative departments: Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, Military Engineer Services and Public Works Department, Indian Army Corps of Clerks, Remount Department, Military Farms Department. There were also a number of miscellaneous appointments on the Unattached List comprehended under the term 'India Miscellaneous List'
In respect of the later years (1900 onwards) "...the term 'Unattached List' refers to those British Army NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) who were seconded from their regiments to do duty with the Indian Army mainly in the following administrative departments: Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, Military Engineer Services and Public Works Department, Indian Army Corps of Clerks, Remount Department, Military Farms Department. There were also a number of miscellaneous appointments on the Unattached List comprehended under the term 'India Miscellaneous List'
<ref>[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/879040e1-3497-45d1-bdee-360a08fa084e#1-1-14 Special category of Departmental and Warrant Officers IOR/L/AG/21/14] discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk  </ref> or the alternative name 'Indian Miscellaneous List', or I.M.L.. There was also an earlier Bengal Miscellaneous List.
<ref>[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/879040e1-3497-45d1-bdee-360a08fa084e#1-1-14 Special category of Departmental and Warrant Officers IOR/L/AG/21/14] discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk  </ref>" or the alternative name 'Indian Miscellaneous List', or I.M.L.. There was also an earlier Bengal Miscellaneous List.


The Supply and Transport Corps (S&T) was retitled in 1923 and became the Indian Army Service Corps (IASC) and in 1935 the Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC).<ref>Frogsmile. [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/211891-what-rank-are-these-uniforms/?do=findComment&comment=2095638 "what rank are these uniforms, post 24"] ''Great War Forum'', 26 May 2014. Retrieved  6 October 2018.</ref>
The Supply and Transport Corps (S&T) was retitled in 1923 and became the Indian Army Service Corps (IASC) and in 1935 the Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC).<ref>Frogsmile. [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/211891-what-rank-are-these-uniforms/?do=findComment&comment=2095638 "what rank are these uniforms, post 24"] ''Great War Forum'', 26 May 2014. Retrieved  6 October 2018.</ref>


Sergeant Instructors with [[Auxiliary Regiments|Volunteer or Auxiliary Regiments]] were also  generally on the Unattached List for the period they were with the Volunteer Regiment. They usually returned to their original  regiment, particularly if that regiment was leaving India.
Sergeant Instructors with [[Auxiliary Regiments|Volunteer or Auxiliary Regiments]] were also  generally on the Unattached List for the period they were with the Volunteer Regiment. They usually returned to their original  regiment, particularly if that regiment was leaving India.
It was possible to join the India Unattached List on a permanent basis, although this may have occurred after many years. For example, one British Army sergeant was '''attached''' to the India Unattached List for approximately 10 years, performing duties connected to military prisons. He left his Regiment after 20 years of service with the Regiment (including the attached period) and then '''permanently joined''' the India Unattached List, for a further 14 years of service, including promotion as a sub-conductor and conductor (warrant officer rank) until retirement. <ref name=MilPris> Wilde, Liz. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210301231726/https://groups.io/g/india-british-raj/message/519 re. recent posts on military employment after army service] ''<nowiki>india-british-raj@groups.io</nowiki>'' 27 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021. The soldier was George Bagg, originally 7th Dragoon Guards.</ref>


==Sergeants’ Occupations==  
==Sergeants’ Occupations==  
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(nb. For purposes of online searching it is to be noted that the word is more often spelled as "Serjeant")
(nb. For purposes of online searching it is to be noted that the word is more often spelled as "Serjeant")


The following list provides examples of the variety of occupations in which a sergeant could be employed. Many of these positions were of significant importance and standing and the chance to attain them was one of the attractions of joining the Company's army rather than the King's/Queen's army.<ref> Bailey, Peter.  [https://lists.rootsweb.com/hyperkitty/list/india.rootsweb.com/thread/12902184/ "Bazaar Sergeant"] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'', 2 Apr 2000. Retrieved 6 October 2018.</ref>
The following list provides examples of the variety of occupations in which a sergeant could be employed. Many of these positions were of significant importance and standing and the chance to attain them was one of the attractions of joining the Company's army rather than the King's/Queen's army.<ref> Bailey, Peter.  [https://web.archive.org/web/20200813062252/https://lists.rootsweb.com/hyperkitty/list/india.rootsweb.com/thread/12902184/ "Bazaar Sergeant"] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'', 2 Apr 2000, archived.</ref> There may have been opportunities to obtain financial benefits in the form of commissions or kickbacks.<ref>Similar to the Quarter-Master of the [[22nd Regiment of Foot| 2nd Cheshires]] in the early 1880s [https://archive.org/details/undertenviceroys00woodiala/page/40/mode/2up Page 41] ''Under Ten Viceroys: the Reminiscences of a Gurkha'' by Major-General Nigel Woodyatt 1922 Archive.org.</ref>
 
*Arrack Godown Sergeant (arrack or arak, a coarse spirit distilled from grain, rice, sugar cane etc; godown, a warehouse)
*Arrack Godown Sergeant (arrack or arak, a coarse spirit distilled from grain, rice, sugar cane etc; godown, a warehouse)
*[[Barrack Sergeant]]
*[[Barrack Sergeant]]
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*Store Sergeant
*Store Sergeant


Duties of one soldier while on the Unattached List included the training in weaponry of the builders of one of the Indian railways in the hills (probably the Kalka-Simla), in order to defend themselves from attacks which were an ever present threat.<ref>Benham, Patrick. [https://lists.rootsweb.com/hyperkitty/list/india.rootsweb.com/thread/1662871 "Unattached List"], ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'', 12 May 2010. When reading this post, click about half way to expand. Retrieved  6 October 2018.</ref>
Other duties
*Duties of one soldier while on the Unattached List included the training in weaponry of the builders of one of the Indian railways in the hills (probably the Kalka-Simla), in order to defend themselves from attacks which were an ever present threat.<ref>Benham, Patrick. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210115212757/https://mlarchives.rootsweb.com/listindexes/emails?listname=india&thread=1662871 "Unattached List"], ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'', 12 May 2010, archived.</ref>
*Duties connected with Military Prisons
**As a Sergeant: Permanent Warder Military Prison, Garrison Provost Sergeant, Asst. Chief Warder Military Prison, Chief Warder Military Prison.
**As a Sub Conductor: Chief Warder, Military Prison and Superintendent, Detention Barracks.<ref name=MilPris/>


==FIBIS resources==
==FIBIS resources==
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* Joan Harrison, "The Memoirs of John Norton of the Bombay Mint"  ''FIBIS Journal'' Number 34 (Autumn 2015)  pages 18-26. For details of how to access this article, see [[FIBIS Journals]].
* Joan Harrison, "The Memoirs of John Norton of the Bombay Mint"  ''FIBIS Journal'' Number 34 (Autumn 2015)  pages 18-26. For details of how to access this article, see [[FIBIS Journals]].
:John Norton left England in November 1819 for Bombay, as an artilleryman in the Bombay Artillery. He was appointed to the Gun Carriage Manufactory and subsequently became a Sub Conductor of Ordnance. He was subsequently appointed to the Bombay Mint, where he was required to resign from the Army.
:John Norton left England in November 1819 for Bombay, as an artilleryman in the Bombay Artillery. He was appointed to the Gun Carriage Manufactory and subsequently became a Sub Conductor of Ordnance. He was subsequently appointed to the Bombay Mint, where he was required to resign from the Army.
*FIBIS database: [http://search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_document&id=6081&s_id=982 "The Memoirs of John Richard William Lee Skinner"] who was attached as a Sub-Conductor of the Indian Army Ordnance Corps to the [[South Persia Rifles]] 1916 - 1921
*FIBIS database: [http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_document&id=6081&s_id=982 "The Memoirs of John Richard William Lee Skinner"] who was attached as a Sub-Conductor of the Indian Army Ordnance Corps to the [[South Persia Rifles]] 1916 - 1921
*FIBIS database: [http://www.search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=144&s_id=16 Annual Unattached List] - only 3 names transcribed but provides an example of information included.
*FIBIS database: [https://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=1309&s_id=429 Annual Returns, Sundry Unattached List - Madras] - only 3 names transcribed but provides an example of information included. From Madras Army Annual Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List, held by the British Library IOR/L/MIL/11/192, 196 & 207.
*FIBIS database: [http://search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=679&s_id=137  Soldiers’ and Widows’ Pension details -1896] IOR/ L/MIL/14/214 & 215 Includes  previous members of the [[Bengal Army|Bengal]], [[Madras Army|Madras]] and  [[Bombay Army|Bombay Armies]], including men from the Unattached List. May also include a few members of the [[Indian Army]] which officially was formed in 1895.  These records are available on LDS microfilm 2029979 Items 1-2 with [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog-search-api%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F774116 catalogue entry], however the FIBIS database record contains all the information available in the microfilm.
*FIBIS database: [https://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=1308&s_id=429  Indian Army - RIASC 1938 - Mechanical, Supply and Animal Transport]. These men were part of the Unattached List.  
*FIBIS database: [http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=679&s_id=137  Soldiers’ and Widows’ Pension details -1896] IOR/ L/MIL/14/214 & 215 Includes  previous members of the [[Bengal Army|Bengal]], [[Madras Army|Madras]] and  [[Bombay Army|Bombay Armies]], including men from the Unattached List. May also include a few members of the [[Indian Army]] which officially was formed in 1895.  These records are available on LDS microfilm 2029979 Items 1-2 with [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/774116 catalogue entry], however the FIBIS database record contains all the information available in the microfilm.


==Records==
==Records==
[[India Office Records]] at the [[British Library]]<br>
[[India Office Records]] at the [[British Library]]<br>
In addition to the following, for earlier years not listed, the  (general) Muster Rolls for each Presidency  for the appropriate years may contain a Town Major’s List or equivalent.
In addition to the following, for earlier years not listed, the  (general) Muster Rolls for each Presidency  for the appropriate years may contain a Town Major’s List or equivalent.
<br> Search for the following records in the British Library's [https://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do Archives and Manuscripts catalogue].
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/f5da9149-251c-4d36-a745-d57457fe165d  IOR/L/MIL/10/177] 1856 includes Town Major's List
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/f5da9149-251c-4d36-a745-d57457fe165d  IOR/L/MIL/10/177] 1856 includes Town Major's List
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/cad56390-671d-4689-875c-5db533febf75  IOR/L/MIL/10/178] 1857 includes Town Major's List
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/cad56390-671d-4689-875c-5db533febf75  IOR/L/MIL/10/178] 1857 includes Town Major's List
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*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/750869f0-3937-4645-9587-808ba8f0fb16 IOR/L/MIL/10/181]  1859 includes Unattached List
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/750869f0-3937-4645-9587-808ba8f0fb16 IOR/L/MIL/10/181]  1859 includes Unattached List
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/c7c1dbe6-daf9-42d4-a365-d274a4d9d5fe IOR/L/MIL/10/183]  1860 includes Unattached List
*Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/c7c1dbe6-daf9-42d4-a365-d274a4d9d5fe IOR/L/MIL/10/183]  1860 includes Unattached List
*Bengal Army Annual Returns - Unattached List [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/fbf7905c-525f-4193-ae38-1e975a1ad64b?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23118  IOR/L/MIL/10/201-252] 1859-1907  
*Bengal Army Annual Returns - Unattached List   IOR/L/MIL/10/201-252  1859-1907  
*Bengal Army Monthly Casualty Returns - Unattached List [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/3978a342-995f-4232-8b54-14a1584857be?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23119  IOR/L/MIL/10/253-300] 1866-1907
*Bengal Army Monthly Casualty Returns - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/10/253-300  1866-1907
*Madras Army Annual Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/0e4e1fa3-785e-4629-aed5-463e25a56032?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23132 IOR/L/MIL/11/186-231] 1863-1907
*Madras Army Annual Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/11/186-231  1863-1907
*Madras Army Quarterly and Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/f1b247a7-f51b-4b98-b8c8-be7474eb5df9?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23133 IOR/L/MIL/11/232-276] 1853-1907
*Madras Army Quarterly and Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/11/232-276  1853-1907
*Bombay Army Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/ead0ea30-aa91-4210-8d11-08b9307cd370?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23145 IOR/L/MIL/12/198-265] 1855-1907
*Bombay Army Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List  IOR/L/MIL/12/198-265  1855-1907
*Bombay Army Annual Returns - Unattached List [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/ae9389f1-8778-44d3-9256-3436b27c571b?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23146  IOR/L/MIL/12/266-280] 1893-1907
*Bombay Army Annual Returns - Unattached List   IOR/L/MIL/12/266-280  1893-1907
*Supply & Transport Corps: Register of services of British subordinates of the Supply & Transport Corps, 6th Poona Division, Bombay Army  [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/84cd8809-589e-4d34-be7b-53fdb9703726 IOR/L/MIL/12/289]  1872-1914
*Supply & Transport Corps: Register of services of British subordinates of the Supply & Transport Corps, 6th Poona Division, Bombay Army  [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/84cd8809-589e-4d34-be7b-53fdb9703726 IOR/L/MIL/12/289]  1872-1914
*India Unattached List Annual Returns [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/dbf66ce1-0655-4c87-93b9-16782f0c8408?src=7&sK=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23416 IOR/L/MIL/14/144-175] 1908-1944
*India Unattached List Annual Returns   IOR/L/MIL/14/144-175  1908-1944
*India Unattached List Annual Returns - Burma Division [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/b88c9e1a-468b-41a2-941f-1084c4902197?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23154 IOR/L/MIL/14/176-182] 1904-1910
*India Unattached List Annual Returns - Burma Division   IOR/L/MIL/14/176-182 1904-1910
*India Unattached List Monthly Increase and Decrease Statements [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/efd6016c-dc17-44e3-9904-c95c75fabfe6?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23155    IOR/L/MIL/14/183-190] 1907-1914   
*India Unattached List Monthly Increase and Decrease Statements     IOR/L/MIL/14/183-190  1907-1914   
*India Unattached List Monthly Increase and Decrease Statements - Burma Division   [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/0da1b00d-54c1-45e1-a9f9-b59ed7155dba?src=6&sk=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23156  IOR/L/MIL/14/191-194] 1904-1907
*India Unattached List Monthly Increase and Decrease Statements - Burma Division     IOR/L/MIL/14/191-194  1904-1907
*Collection 46 Warrant and non-commissioned officers: position, pay, leave, promotion, discharge, etc. IOR/L/MIL/7/1877-2135  1867-1942 includes
*Collection 46 Warrant and non-commissioned officers: position, pay, leave, promotion, discharge, etc. IOR/L/MIL/7/1877-2135  1867-1942 includes
**Collection 46/153 Time scale of promotion for the India Miscellaneous List.  IOR/L/MIL/7/2039  1918-1923
**Collection 46/153 Time scale of promotion for the India Miscellaneous List.  IOR/L/MIL/7/2039  1918-1923
*Special category of Departmental and Warrant Officers   [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/879040e1-3497-45d1-bdee-360a08fa084e?src=6&sK=%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23%23152 IOR/L/AG/21/14] 1950-1956
*Special category of Departmental and Warrant Officers   IOR/L/AG/21/14  1950-1956
*Temporary British personnel (other ranks only) enlisted or re-enlisted in the Indian Army Supply & Transport Corps, 1914-1919 [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/66671ed7-f7c8-444c-a675-ff8d3a692b2e IOR/L/MIL/15/37]. Includes name, rank, military number, British Unit and next of kin.  Also available on LDS microfilm [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/775057?availability=Family%20History%20Library 2030020]
*Temporary British personnel (other ranks only) enlisted or re-enlisted in the Indian Army Supply & Transport Corps, 1914-1919 [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/66671ed7-f7c8-444c-a675-ff8d3a692b2e IOR/L/MIL/15/37]. Includes name, rank, military number, British Unit and next of kin.  Also available on LDS microfilm [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/775057  2030020]


Soldiers in the period to c 1860 (varies according to Presidency) should also appear in the Registers of European Soldiers, refer [[Bengal Army]], [[Madras Army]] and [[Bombay Army]].
Soldiers in the period to c 1860 (varies according to Presidency) should also appear in the Registers of European Soldiers, refer [[Bengal Army]], [[Madras Army]] and [[Bombay Army]].
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.britishmedals.us/kevin/profiles/kerr.html John Kerr - Unattached List - Sergeant in the Viceroy’s Band] The Asplin Military History Resources
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306130033/http://www.britishmedals.us/kevin/profiles/kerr.html John Kerr - Unattached List - Sergeant in the Viceroy’s Band] The Asplin Military History Resources, now archived.
*[http://www.britishmedals.us/files/bengalul1903.htm  Partial Listing of the Bengal (Punjab) Unattached List for 01/01/1903] The Asplin Military History Resources
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20200712011443/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AuHFPoU4aKQsJ%3Awww.britishmedals.us%2Fkevin%2Fprofiles%2Fsykes.html "Benjamin Sykes - Unattached List Bengal Army 1881"] The Asplin Military History Resources, now archived from a Google cache of a page.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20191102065646/http://www.britishmedals.us/files/bengalul1903.htm  Partial Listing of the Bengal (Punjab) Unattached List for 01/01/1903] The Asplin Military History Resources, now archived.
*On 16 November 1927 Sergeant Hammie Neill  was posted as a Staff Sergeant Instructor to the 2nd Battalion, Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Regiment, based at Ajmer Cantonment in Rajasthan, where he remained for six years. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210806073023/https://www.nickmetcalfe.co.uk/my-family-at-war-part-2-hammie-neill/ "My Family at War – Part 2: Hammie Neill"] nickmetcalfe.co.uk.</ref>
 
===Historical books online===
===Historical books online===
*[http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b2994242?urlappend=%3Bseq=162 "The Bengal Commissariat Part 1"]  page 144 ''The Calcutta Gazette, Volume 54 1872'' Hathi Trust Digital Library
*[http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b2994242?urlappend=%3Bseq=162 "The Bengal Commissariat Part 1"]  page 144 ''The Calcutta Gazette, Volume 54 1872'' Hathi Trust Digital Library
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== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>
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Latest revision as of 02:51, 27 July 2024

The Unattached List recorded Warrant Officers (Conductors and Sub- Conductors) and Non-Commissioned Officers (mainly Sergeants) who were not attached to a regiment. Note the more senior Warrant Officers could be promoted to Honorary Officer rank.

The Unattached List mainly covered soldiers working for the Ordnance, Commissariat and Public Works Departments. Before 1859 this list was known as the Town Major's List in Bengal/Bombay and Effective Supernumeraries in Madras.

G.O.G.G. of 24th November 1821, in respect of Bengal, issued the "Rules for the re-establishment of the Town Major’s List".[1] The staff it applied to included the Ordnance and Army Commissariats, and all Departments of Army or Garrison Staff, Public Offices, Military Agencies, Charitable Asylums, and the Stud and Ecclesiastical Department.

In respect of the later years (1900 onwards) "...the term 'Unattached List' refers to those British Army NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) who were seconded from their regiments to do duty with the Indian Army mainly in the following administrative departments: Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, Military Engineer Services and Public Works Department, Indian Army Corps of Clerks, Remount Department, Military Farms Department. There were also a number of miscellaneous appointments on the Unattached List comprehended under the term 'India Miscellaneous List' [2]" or the alternative name 'Indian Miscellaneous List', or I.M.L.. There was also an earlier Bengal Miscellaneous List.

The Supply and Transport Corps (S&T) was retitled in 1923 and became the Indian Army Service Corps (IASC) and in 1935 the Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC).[3]

Sergeant Instructors with Volunteer or Auxiliary Regiments were also generally on the Unattached List for the period they were with the Volunteer Regiment. They usually returned to their original regiment, particularly if that regiment was leaving India.

It was possible to join the India Unattached List on a permanent basis, although this may have occurred after many years. For example, one British Army sergeant was attached to the India Unattached List for approximately 10 years, performing duties connected to military prisons. He left his Regiment after 20 years of service with the Regiment (including the attached period) and then permanently joined the India Unattached List, for a further 14 years of service, including promotion as a sub-conductor and conductor (warrant officer rank) until retirement. [4]

Sergeants’ Occupations

(nb. For purposes of online searching it is to be noted that the word is more often spelled as "Serjeant")

The following list provides examples of the variety of occupations in which a sergeant could be employed. Many of these positions were of significant importance and standing and the chance to attain them was one of the attractions of joining the Company's army rather than the King's/Queen's army.[5] There may have been opportunities to obtain financial benefits in the form of commissions or kickbacks.[6]

  • Arrack Godown Sergeant (arrack or arak, a coarse spirit distilled from grain, rice, sugar cane etc; godown, a warehouse)
  • Barrack Sergeant
  • Bazar (or Bazaar) Sergeant
  • Bullock Sergeant
  • Cantonment Sergeant-Major
  • Commissariat Staff Sergeant
  • Engineering Sergeant-Major
  • Garrison Sergeant
  • Hospital Sergeant
  • Key Sergeant
  • Laboratory Sergeant
  • Quarter Master Sergeant, who could perform these duties in a Native Infantry Regiment, or other East India Company Army, or Indian Army, Regiment, or Artillery.
  • Road Sergeant
  • Saluting Sergeant
  • Sergeant Instructor
  • Sergeant Overseer
  • Signal Sergeant
  • Store Sergeant

Other duties

  • Duties of one soldier while on the Unattached List included the training in weaponry of the builders of one of the Indian railways in the hills (probably the Kalka-Simla), in order to defend themselves from attacks which were an ever present threat.[7]
  • Duties connected with Military Prisons
    • As a Sergeant: Permanent Warder Military Prison, Garrison Provost Sergeant, Asst. Chief Warder Military Prison, Chief Warder Military Prison.
    • As a Sub Conductor: Chief Warder, Military Prison and Superintendent, Detention Barracks.[4]

FIBIS resources

  • Peter Bailey, "The 'Unattached List'," FIBIS Journal, No 12 (Autumn 2004). For details of how to access this article online, see FIBIS Journals.
  • Lawrie Butler, "The Marriages of Margaret McCombe: A combined London-Sydney effort" FIBIS Journal No 24 (Autumn 2010), pages 12-18. For details of how to access this article, see FIBIS Journals. This article includes research in respect of a Barrack Sergeant
  • Carol Gilbert, "Fanciful Memories? The Foothead Family and India" FIBIS Journal No 24 (Autumn 2010), pages 29-35. For details of how to access this article, see FIBIS Journals. This article includes research in respect of a Road Sergeant, Effective Supernumeraries
  • Michael Garnett, "William Garnett, the Volunteering Major" FIBIS Journal No 26 (Autumn 2011), pages 26-30. He joined the Bengal Unattached List in 1883 and was located at Cawnpore, where he worked for a time with the Army Boot Factory. He was appoined Commissary and Honorary Major in 1912. For details of how to access this article, see FIBIS Journals
  • Joan Harrison, "The Memoirs of John Norton of the Bombay Mint" FIBIS Journal Number 34 (Autumn 2015) pages 18-26. For details of how to access this article, see FIBIS Journals.
John Norton left England in November 1819 for Bombay, as an artilleryman in the Bombay Artillery. He was appointed to the Gun Carriage Manufactory and subsequently became a Sub Conductor of Ordnance. He was subsequently appointed to the Bombay Mint, where he was required to resign from the Army.

Records

India Office Records at the British Library
In addition to the following, for earlier years not listed, the (general) Muster Rolls for each Presidency for the appropriate years may contain a Town Major’s List or equivalent.
Search for the following records in the British Library's Archives and Manuscripts catalogue.

  • Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: IOR/L/MIL/10/177 1856 includes Town Major's List
  • Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: IOR/L/MIL/10/178 1857 includes Town Major's List
  • Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: IOR/L/MIL/10/179 1858 includes Town Major's List
  • Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: IOR/L/MIL/10/181 1859 includes Unattached List
  • Bengal Army Muster Rolls and Casualty Returns: IOR/L/MIL/10/183 1860 includes Unattached List
  • Bengal Army Annual Returns - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/10/201-252 1859-1907
  • Bengal Army Monthly Casualty Returns - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/10/253-300 1866-1907
  • Madras Army Annual Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/11/186-231 1863-1907
  • Madras Army Quarterly and Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/11/232-276 1853-1907
  • Bombay Army Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/12/198-265 1855-1907
  • Bombay Army Annual Returns - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/12/266-280 1893-1907
  • Supply & Transport Corps: Register of services of British subordinates of the Supply & Transport Corps, 6th Poona Division, Bombay Army IOR/L/MIL/12/289 1872-1914
  • India Unattached List Annual Returns IOR/L/MIL/14/144-175 1908-1944
  • India Unattached List Annual Returns - Burma Division IOR/L/MIL/14/176-182 1904-1910
  • India Unattached List Monthly Increase and Decrease Statements IOR/L/MIL/14/183-190 1907-1914
  • India Unattached List Monthly Increase and Decrease Statements - Burma Division IOR/L/MIL/14/191-194 1904-1907
  • Collection 46 Warrant and non-commissioned officers: position, pay, leave, promotion, discharge, etc. IOR/L/MIL/7/1877-2135 1867-1942 includes
    • Collection 46/153 Time scale of promotion for the India Miscellaneous List. IOR/L/MIL/7/2039 1918-1923
  • Special category of Departmental and Warrant Officers IOR/L/AG/21/14 1950-1956
  • Temporary British personnel (other ranks only) enlisted or re-enlisted in the Indian Army Supply & Transport Corps, 1914-1919 IOR/L/MIL/15/37. Includes name, rank, military number, British Unit and next of kin. Also available on LDS microfilm 2030020

Soldiers in the period to c 1860 (varies according to Presidency) should also appear in the Registers of European Soldiers, refer Bengal Army, Madras Army and Bombay Army.

It is possible, although not known definitely, that there may be records in the series "Indian Army Records of Service IOR/L/MIL/14/239/1-72481" c 1901-1947. For more details about this series of records, see Indian Army-Records, which also includes information about records at the National Archives of India.

Microfilms held elsewhere

  • LDS (Mormon) films/digitised microfilms:
  • The Madras Unattached List records "Madras Army Annual Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/11/186-231 1863-1907" and "Madras Army Quarterly and Monthly Returns and Casualty Rolls - Unattached List IOR/L/MIL/11/232-276 1853-1907", refer above, are stated to be included in the LDS microfilm series called "Madras army muster, quarterly, annual and casualty rolls, 1762-1907", film catalogue entry which consists of India Office Collection no.: L/MIL/11/109-276. There are however 41 microfilms in this series, and it is not stated which are the films in respect of the Unattached List. As a "best guess" the Unattached List films appear to be film no. 1886057 and 1886079-1886083 (annual returns) and 1886084 onwards (quarterly returns).
  • Bombay Army monthly returns and casualty rolls - unattached list, 1855-1907 L/MIL/12/198-265 Film catalogue entry
  • For years where the Town Major's List or equivalent is to be found in the general Muster Rolls, relevant microfilms may be found through links on the pages Bengal Army and Bombay Army. For the Madras Army, see the pre 1863 microfilms in the LDS catalogue entry in the paragraph above. The relevant Army pages also contain links to the microfilms of the Registers of European Soldiers (to c 1860), noting the Bombay records have been transcribed by FIBIS.
  • See FamilySearch Centres for information about the viewing of microfilms and digitised microfilms.

External links

Historical books online

  • "The Bengal Commissariat Part 1" page 144 The Calcutta Gazette, Volume 54 1872 Hathi Trust Digital Library
  • Bengal Army Commissariat Department July 1874 showing Warrant Officers, page 78, The Indian Army and Civil Service List July 1874. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Note the more senior Warrant Officers being Deputy Commissary, Assistant Commissary and Deputy Assistant Commissary had Honorary Officer rank. The Conductors are then listed.
  • Warrant Officers page 89 Sketches of a Soldier's Life in India by Staff Sergeant Thomas Quinney, Hon. East India Company’s Service, 1853 Google Books. The author arrived in Bombay May 1827 and was invalided in January 1841.

References

  1. ↑ Calcutta Annual Register 1821 Retrieved 28 Jul 2014.
  2. ↑ Special category of Departmental and Warrant Officers IOR/L/AG/21/14 discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk
  3. ↑ Frogsmile. "what rank are these uniforms, post 24" Great War Forum, 26 May 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wilde, Liz. re. recent posts on military employment after army service india-british-raj@groups.io 27 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021. The soldier was George Bagg, originally 7th Dragoon Guards.
  5. ↑ Bailey, Peter. "Bazaar Sergeant" Rootsweb India Mailing List, 2 Apr 2000, archived.
  6. ↑ Similar to the Quarter-Master of the 2nd Cheshires in the early 1880s Page 41 Under Ten Viceroys: the Reminiscences of a Gurkha by Major-General Nigel Woodyatt 1922 Archive.org.
  7. ↑ Benham, Patrick. "Unattached List", Rootsweb India Mailing List, 12 May 2010, archived.
  8. ↑ "My Family at War – Part 2: Hammie Neill" nickmetcalfe.co.uk.
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