Army units in London in 1888?

[Trench_Raider]

Here is an odd question: Which British military units were stationed in the London area in 1888? We all know about the white cap band wearing Coldstream Guards due to the Pearly Pol fiasco. But they were not the only regiment that called London home at the time. Anyone know? Barring that, which records would I look at to get the answer?

Thanks!
Martin

[DJA]

Scots Guards,2nd Battalion.

[DJA]

Royal Sussex Regiment,2nd Battalion was ~ 50 miles away at Chichester.

[Simon Wood]

Try this.

https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/106678217

Regards,

Simon

[Trench_Raider]

Thanks for the replies, folks. That's a good starting point for the research.

And fear not. I'm not looking to slander the memory of a police official by fitting him up as the Ripper. The reason I ask is only tangentially related to the Whitechapel Murders, but this forum is as good a place as any to ask given the number of Victorian era historians we have here.

I'm a miniature wargamer and have done a bit of writing of rules and background source material for that genre. I have a set of tactical rules for the British Colonial Wars of the 19th century (working title "To the Last Cartridge") that will most likely see publication later this year. We are already gathering material for additional supplements, should the rule set be successful. The first of these will be a set of scenarios and army lists for the continental European Wars of the 19th century. (the next one will cover military conflicts in North America such as the Mexican War, the American Civil War, Plains Indian Wars, etc) Along with the expected historical examples such a The Crimea, the Wars of German Unification, and The Russo-Turkish War we are including several fictional examples for those who enjoy gaming "what if" scenarios.

In this case the relevant chapter tells of a fictional Civil War in Great Britain in the late 1880s. The working title is "British Civil War 1889: The War that Jack Built", which envisions civil unrest caused, at least in part, by the Whitechapel Murders and a heavy handed repression of protests by Sir Charles Warren (who in this hypothetical timeline does not resign in November) leading to sectarian violence and an eventual full on civil war involving Irish and Scottish separatists and radical leftist elements such as Anarchists and Socialist on one side against a loyalist/monarchist faction. Yes, it's highly unlikely in the extreme, but a fun mental exercise none the less. From a wargaming perspective it has much to offer as the late 1880s is a transitional period in which the British army is fielding it's first repeating rifles, modern cannon, and true automatic machineguns while still mostly being armed with single shot breach loading rifles and muzzle loading artillery.

And yes, we were inspired by a similar fictional wargaming scenario titled "A Very British Civil War" which presents a multi-faction war sparked by the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936. It also gives gamers a use for the miniatures of British troops in 19th century Home Service uniform that several companies make:

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/images/IMG_1609.JPG

Thanks again!

Martin

[Trench_Raider]

[QUOTEAnd fear not. I'm not looking to slander the memory of a police official by fitting him up as the Ripper.][/QUOTE]

Oops. How did I do that?
"the memory of British Soldier" is obviously what I meant to say.
My bad..

[DJA]

If my candidate for Jack the Ripper had been caught and a cover up extending back for decades exposed,there would have been Hell to pay.

Are you also a "Callan" fan?

[Ginger]

It also gives gamers a use for the miniatures of British troops in 19th century Home Service uniform that several companies make:

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/images/IMG_1609.JPG

I always thought those were for fighting the Martians.