'Johnto'

[MrBarnett]

That must have been an awkward reunion

Yes, indeed!

But I toy with the idea that Kelly may have had a romantic interest in a soldier in the outfit, and perhaps that was why she kept abreast of their postings.

Hallie Rubenhold suggests something similar, but true to form she imagines Kelly having a relationship with an officer, where I think a private or at best an NCO is more likely to have sought his pleasure in the Ratcliffe Highway.

[erobitha]

Yes, indeed!

But I toy with the idea that Kelly may have had a romantic interest in a soldier in the outfit, and perhaps that was why she kept abreast of their postings.

Hallie Rubenhold suggests something similar, but true to form she imagines Kelly having a relationship with an officer, where I think a private or at best an NCO is more likely to have sought his pleasure in the Ratcliffe Highway.

I would be inclined to say there is merit in your theory so de we discount Johnto as her brother all together because of the lack of a Henry?

[DJA]

The second Battalion returned from the Sudan with some fanfare in late 1885.
Perhaps Mary inserted a brother into that bloody glory.
Wikipedia has them deploying to Dublin in 1895.

[MrBarnett]

I would be inclined to say there is merit in your theory so de we discount Johnto as her brother all together because of the lack of a Henry?

No, I wouldn’t discount anything. The likelihood is that what has come down to us is a mixture of truth, exaggeration/downright lies and misremembering. But I can’t believe there isn’t at least a kernel of truth in there. The idea that a couple could live together for over a year and either the woman never told her partner a single fact about her past or he misheard everything she said just doesn’t wash.

[MrBarnett]

The second Battalion returned from the Sudan with some fanfare in late 1885.
Perhaps Mary inserted a brother into that bloody glory.
Wikipedia has them deploying to Dublin in 1895.

Good for Wiki!

This is what I have:

1885

3 Jan: Wellington Barracks
13 Jan: Wellington Barracks
7 Feb: Wellington Barracks
21 Feb: Wellington Barracks
7 Mar: Sudan
12 Mar: Suakin (Sudan)
2 May: Sudan
6 June: Wellington Barracks
4 July: Cyprus
2 Aug: Cyprus
5 Sept: En route to England
3 Oct: Wellington Barracks

1886

2 Jan: Wellington Barracks
6 Feb: Wellington Barracks
8 May: Wellington Barracks
5 Jun: Wellington Barracks
7 Aug: Wellington Barracks
9 Oct: Tower
12 Oct: Tower


1887

1 Jan: Tower
5 Feb: Tower
2 Apr: Tower
2 July: Pirbright (Training)
6 Aug: Tower
(?) Sep: Tower to Chelsea


1888

Mar: Chelsea
Apr: Chelsea
May: Chelsea
May: Aldershot (Training)
June: Chelsea
July: Chelsea
Aug: Chelsea
Sept: Chelsea
Sept: Dublin
Oct: Chelsea(?)
Oct: Dublin
Nov: Dublin
Dec: Dublin
Dec: Curragh

[MrBarnett]

Quite when Kelly left Pennington Street isn't clear, is it? If it coincided with the 2BSG’s arrival at the Tower that might support the idea that her brother was among them.

[DJA]

I figured that you would have better information,which is why I mentioned Wiki as a source.

No need to be narky.

[DJA]

Quite when Kelly left Pennington Street isn't clear, is it? If it coincided with the 2BSG’s arrival at the Tower that might support the idea that her brother was among them.

How does Wellington Barracks and a "gay" house in Knightsbridge line up in your books?

[MrBarnett]

I figured that you would have better information,which is why I mentioned Wiki as a source.

No need to be narky.

I retract my narkiness!

[erobitha]

The second Battalion returned from the Sudan with some fanfare in late 1885.
Perhaps Mary inserted a brother into that bloody glory.
Wikipedia has them deploying to Dublin in 1895.

According to other sources that 1st btn was in Dublin in 1881:

”In 1881, the 1st Battalion deployed to Dublin, Ireland and the following year the battalion, as part of the Guard Brigade, took part in an expedition to Egypt, which came about in response to a revolt led by Urabi Pasha, an Egyptian military officer.”

https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Hist...805–1913)

[erobitha]

1888

Sept: Dublin
Oct: Chelsea(?)
Oct: Dublin
Nov: Dublin
Dec: Dublin

The above would suggest if she was accurate about the battalion and the right regiment, she must have had very recent contact with (brother or lover) prior to her death to know this. Logic would suggest our Mary most likely as you pointed out, knew someone in that btn. None of them are called Henry.

[MrBarnett]

How does Wellington Barracks and a "gay" house in Knightsbridge line up in your books?

Hyde Park Barracks would have been closer. HR seems to get the two mixed up. But yes, that’s another sort of coincidence.

[MrBarnett]

The above would suggest if she was accurate about the battalion and the right regiment, she must have had very recent contact with (brother or lover) prior to her death to know this. Logic would suggest our Mary most likely as you pointed out, knew someone in that btn. None of them are called Henry.

The movements of Guards regiments could have been picked up in the press.

[DJA]

Hyde Park Barracks would have been closer. HR seems to get the two mixed up. But yes, that’s another sort of coincidence.

I've long suspected the two to be linked.

Locating the gay house would answer some interesting questions.

[MrBarnett]

I've long suspected the two to be linked.

Locating the gay house would answer some interesting questions.

Indeed it would. That part of her story appears to have some corroboration at least - from Mrs ‘Buki’.