Military stuff question

[Asa]

I don't really know much about military things and am wondering if there is likely to be any info about this chap to pin him down a bit more, eg death.

John Thomas, son of James Thomas, printer, born c1816 Staffordshire.

1841 labourer of St James Clerkenwell, Middlesex with not yet wife Louisa and infant son Frederick James
1842 bricklayer (baptism of son)
1846 labourer (marriage to Louisa at St Andrew Holborn and baptism of daughter)
1851 St Sepulchre Without, City of London - "Annuitant Spanish Government"
1856 labourer (baptism of son)

The youngest of the three children Robert was born and baptised in 1856 and John appears to die between then and Dec 1860 when Louisa has a child by another partner.

Louisa cohabits with the new partner until her death in 1891 and her death certificate describes her as "widow of Frederick Thomas, army pensioner", which is why I assume she didn't remarry. The Frederick is I think just an error - the informant was a sister-in-law of Louisa's who wouldn't have known John.

Any help very much appreciated

[kiterunner]

Have you looked in the army service records on FMP, Asa?

[Asa]

No I've only really looked on Ancestry. I'll have a go but I'm not sure why the Spanish government?

[Phoenix]

There was a Spanish war between 1846 and 1849. Would he have gone off to fight as a mercenary?

[Asa]

Ah - I suppose he could have done, Phoenix - thank you - if that was the case, I don't suppose there'd be any record? I'm looking at FMP with a perplexed expression:-)

[Merry]

Yes, there are rather a lot to choose from!!

[Asa]

When I searched All Military Records between 1840 and 1860 there are a lot less but I don't think there is anything relevant