This article explores the military career of George Jennings as
documented in the Registers of Bombay Army European Soldiers,
1793–1839.
According to the registers, upon enlistment, George was assigned
as an Acting Draftsman under the Artillery Brigade Major’s List.
The register does not provide details on his activities between his
arrival in India in 1823 and his promotion to Sergeant Depot
Instructor in 1832.
However, ecclesiastical records indicate that George served as a
Gunner in the Honourable Company’s Artillery and had risen to the
rank of Sergeant of Artillery by 1831. The register records his
promotions and transfers chronologically, noting that he was
appointed Sergeant Depot Instructor on 31 October 1832, then
Sub-Conductor in the Ordnance Department at the Ahmednuggur Arsenal
in 1833. It further documents his transfer to the Ordnance
Assistant’s Department on 6 August 1833, his discharge on 8 April
1836, and his later reinstatement on the Town Major’s List as a
Sub-Conductor on 18 May 1841.
Career
Timeline
1.
Enlistment and Early Career (1822–1827):
1822: George enlisted as an Acting
Draftsman under the Artillery Brigade Major’s List,
indicating a technical or administrative role within the Ordnance
Department.
1822–1827: His activities during this period are not explicitly documented. However, by 1827, he appears in ecclesiastical records as a Gunner in the Honourable Company’s
Artillery. This suggests he may have been reassigned from his drafting role to an active artillery position or was serving in a parallel capacity, possibly seconded to the Artillery Brigade while maintaining his formal attachment to the Ordnance Department.
2.
Service as a Gunner (1827–1831):
16 July 1827: George is recorded as a Gunner in the Honourable Company’s Regiment of Artillery in his marriage record, confirming his role in the artillery at this time.
1828–1831: Baptism records of his children
Sarah (1828) and George Jr. (1829) list him as a Gunner and
H.C. Artillery (Honourable Company’s Artillery). By 1831,
he had risen to the rank of Sergeant of Artillery, as noted in the baptism record of his daughter Mary Ann.
3.
Return to the Ordnance Department (1832–1836):
31 October 1832: Promoted to Sergeant
Depot Instructor, likely involving training and instruction within the Ordnance Department.
1833: Appointed as Sub-Conductor in the
Ordnance Department at the Ahmednuggur Arsenal and
later transferred to the Ordnance Assistant’s Department on 6 August 1833.
8 April 1836: Discharged, likely from his specific role or assignment within the Ordnance Department.
4.
Later Service (1841-1844):
18 May 1841: Transferred to the Town
Major’s List as a Sub-Conductor, indicating continued service in a support role, possibly within the Ordnance
Department or another military branch. The Town Major’s List included personnel assigned to administrative and logistical duties in a garrison or military station.
15 September 1844: George Jennings died while serving as a Sub-Conductor of the Ordnance Department in Scinde (modern-day Sindh, Pakistan). His death is recorded in the List of Casualties for 1844, though the exact circumstances are not documented.
A
Closer Look at George Jennings’ Career
At first glance, George Jennings’ career might seem
inconsistent, given his variety of roles: Gunner, Sergeant of
Artillery, and Sub-Conductor, spanning both the Artillery and the
Ordnance Department. However, when examined through the framework of
the Unattached List System, his career progression
becomes clearer. This system allowed personnel with specialised
skills to be deployed across different military branches as needed
while maintaining an overarching affiliation with the Ordnance
Department.
George
Jennings’ Status: Non-Commissioned Specialist
George Jennings entered the East India Company as a
non-commissioned or technical specialist, rather than as an officer
or cadet. His initial role as an Acting Draftsman under the Artillery
Brigade Major’s List in 1822 was a technical position, requiring
expertise in drafting and record-keeping. This type of role was
typically filled by non-commissioned personnel or enlisted men with
specific skills, rather than by officers or cadets.
Unlike cadets, who were trained to become commissioned officers,
George’s career followed the path of a skilled specialist. His
subsequent assignments, such as Gunner, Sergeant of Artillery, and
Sub-Conductor, were also non-commissioned roles, further confirming
his status as a technical expert rather than an officer. While cadets
often came from privileged backgrounds and received formal military
training, George’s skills in drafting and logistics suggest a more
practical or trade-based education, which aligned with the needs of
the Ordnance Department.
Given the technical nature of his role as an Acting Draftsman, it
is likely that George had some formal education or training before
enlisting. Drafting required proficiency in mathematics, geometry,
and technical drawing, skills that were often acquired through
apprenticeships, trade schools, or other forms of education. This
background would have made him a valuable asset to the Ordnance
Department, which relied on skilled personnel to manage the design,
maintenance, and logistics of military equipment and infrastructure.
The unattached list system, which managed personnel like George,
was often used for non-commissioned specialists who provided
essential technical and logistical support. This system allowed
George to move between roles in the Ordnance Department and the
Artillery while maintaining a consistent thread of service within the
broader military structure.
George
Jennings and the Ordnance Department
To understand George’s varied roles, it is essential to examine
the function of the Ordnance Department within the East India
Company’s military structure. The Ordnance Department was
responsible for supplying, maintaining, and managing weapons,
ammunition, and equipment. It also oversaw the Unattached
List, a flexible system enabling skilled personnel to move
between different military assignments while remaining affiliated
with the Ordnance Department.
Early
Career: The Major’s List
George’s military career began in 1822 when he was assigned as
an Acting Draftsman under the Artillery Brigade Major’s
List. This role highlights his technical expertise and suggests
that he was embedded within the Ordnance Department from the start.
The Major’s List functioned as a pool of skilled personnel
who could be seconded to different units based on their expertise.
Temporary
Assignments: Gunner and Sergeant of Artillery
Between 1827 and 1831, George transitioned into more active
military duties as a Gunner and later as a Sergeant of
Artillery in the Honourable Company’s Artillery. These
assignments likely represented temporary secondments to the Artillery
Brigade, where he gained field experience while remaining formally
attached to the Ordnance Department. This practice was common, as the
Ordnance Department worked closely with the Artillery to ensure
effective deployment and maintenance of weapons.
Return
to Ordnance Roles: Depot Instructor and Sub-Conductor
By 1832, George resumed explicitly ordnance-related roles. He was
promoted to Sergeant Depot Instructor, followed by an
appointment as Sub-Conductor in the Ordnance Department at
Ahmednuggur Arsenal in 1833, and later transferred to the
Ordnance Assistant’s Department. His final posting in 1841
as a Sub-Conductor on the Town Major’s List further
supports the continuity of his service in administrative and
logistical roles.
Where
Was George Stationed?
While the Register documents George Jennings’ promotions and
official appointments, it does not always provide details on
temporary assignments or deployments. Baptismal records suggest that
he was based in Matoonga until 1833, but this does not necessarily
reflect the full scope of his movements. His appointment as
Sub-Conductor in the Ordnance Department at the Ahmednuggur Arsenal
in 1833 suggests a probable relocation to that station. However,
given the nature of ordnance work and his various roles, it is
possible that he travelled or was seconded to different locations as
needed. This mobility was facilitated by his placement on the
Unattached List, which allowed him to be deployed flexibly based on
the military’s requirements.
Potential
Sources for Further Research Potential
To uncover more details about George Jennings' movements and
assignments, the following records could be useful. These sources,
identified in the FIBIS Research Guide No. 1: “Researching
Ancestors in the East India Company Armies” by Peter A
Bailey & Ian A Baxter (2006), I have included the relevant page
numbers from the book for future reference. Locating these records
for George Jennings may help provide further information about his
life and service. The records identified so far are:
Registers of Recruits to the East India Company’s Armies
(IOR/L/MIL/9)
Explained on Page 35: These registers contain details of recruits, including their enlistment dates and assignments.
Gap in Records: Unfortunately, there appears to be a gap in the records between 1819–February 1822 and October
1825–January 1829 (both on LDS film 1786428), which coincides with the period when George’s record would likely be found.
Depot Description List/Depot List
Explained on Page 36: These lists are ordered by the ship's name and date of sailing for India.
Relevant Record: IOR/L/MIL/9/30 for dates January
1820–December 1830.
Comment: It is possible that George was sent to the
Chatham Depot in Kent, a key military installation for artillery personnel, to receive this training or await deployment to India.
The Chatham Depot was a common staging area for soldiers,
particularly those in technical or artillery roles, and would have been an important step in George’s early military career.
Embarkation Lists
Explained on Page 37
First Series: IOR/L/MIL/9/99 for dates March 1816–June
1824 (LDS film 1866880).
Second Series: IOR/L/MIL/9/77 for dates January 1824–October
1832 (LDS film 1835455).
These lists could provide details about George’s journey to India and his assignments during his early service.
Muster Rolls (IOR/L/MIL/12/117-197)
Explained on Page 44: These rolls cover the period 1708–1865
(LDS film 196649–2029664) and can be used to track the stationing of personnel.
Refinement Needed: For George, the search should be refined to include the dates of his service (1823–1844). See notes
on page 44 of the FIBIS guide for further details.
EIC Medal Rolls and Prize Rolls for Campaigns in India
(1799–1826)
These records are invaluable for piecing together the lives of
individuals like George Jennings. If you have access to any of them
or know someone who does, please get in touch. Your contribution
could help bring George’s story to life.
Useful
Links for Background
WikiTree
profile for
George
Jennings (1804 - 1844)
📌
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🔷 Supersedes Previous Post (Posted Wednesday, 29
January 2025):
This post contains updated and corrected
information that replaces an earlier blog post on the same topic
entitled Tracing
George Jennings Military Career. For the most accurate
details, please refer to this version rather than the previous one.
The URL for this post is https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-military-service-of-george-jennings.html, originally published 1 February 2025
Author 2025, Sandra Williamson
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Sources:
George Jennings, Military Record, attestation: 25 November 1822, Middlesex. Registers of Bombay Army European Soldiers, 1793–1839, A–K, India Office Records, L/MIL/12/109. Accessed via FIBIS website https://www.fibis.org/, “Registers of Bombay Army European Soldiers” database (no images), (accessed 16 April 2020).
Marriage of George Jennings and Catherine Jacob, 16 July 1827, George Jennings, a Gunner in the Honourable Company’s Regiment of Artillery, married Catherine Jacob by banns. IOR Reference Z/N/3, Volume 8, Folio 193, entry 65, page 193, official copy of the Register of Marriages for the Chaplaincy of Matoonga in the Archdeaconry of Bombay, 31 December 1827–1 January 1828. British India Office Marriages, Parish Register Transcripts from the Presidency of Bombay, 1709–1948. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of Sarah Jennings, 10 August 1828, daughter of George Jennings (Gunner) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Matoonga. N-3-8, Folio 267, entry 90, Register for the Chaplaincy of Matoonga, 1 July–31 December 1828. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of George Jennings, 2 August 1829, son of George Jennings (H.C. Artillery) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Matoonga. N-3-9, Folio 225, entry 100, Register for the Chaplaincy of Matoonga, 1 July–31 December 1829. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of Mary Ann Jennings, 27 July 1831, daughter of George Jennings (Sergeant Artillery) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Ahmednuggur. N-3-10, Folio 186, entry 19, Register for the Chaplaincy of Ahmednuggur, 1 July 1832–1 July 1833. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of James Jennings, 24 February 1833, son of George Jennings (Draftsman) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Ahmednuggur. N-3-11, Folio 4, entry 5, Register for the Chaplaincy of Ahmednuggur, 1 July 1832–1 July 1833. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of Caroline Jennings, 2 August 1835, daughter of George Jennings (Sub-Conductor, Ordnance) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Ahmednuggur. N-3-12, Folio 3, entry 14, Register for the Chaplaincy of Ahmednuggur, 1 July–31 December 1835. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of Isabella Jennings, 14 January 1838, daughter of George Jennings (Gunner) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Ahmednuggur. N-3-13, Folio 271, entry 1, Register for the Chaplaincy of Ahmednuggur, 1 July–31 December 1838. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
Baptism of Catherine Jennings, 13 August 1840, daughter of George Jennings (Acting Sergeant Instructor, Artillery) and Catherine Jennings, residing in Ahmednuggur. N-3-15, Folio 24, entry 24, Register for the Chaplaincy of Ahmednuggur, 1 July–31 December 1840. British India Office Births & Baptisms. Findmypast. Accessed 13 January 2023.
The Indian Calendar (1845), p. 208, Courier Press, Bombay, (Accessed Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.11566 17 January 2025) Page 208,
"A General or Indiscriminate List of Her Majesty’s and the Hon’ble Company’s Officers, on the Bombay Establishment [in the] Ordnance Department … Acting Sub-Conductors ... G. Jennings [appointed] 19 May 1841 [Station] Bombay."