Portsmouth Garrsion Hospital Records

[Steve Bridges]

Hi-
I have just learned that my g-g-grandfather William Bridges died at what is called the Station Hospital in Portsmouth, in March 1876 (source: British Newspaper Archive). I am assuming this is what was called the Garrison Hospital?
He was in a the army (sources Marriage Cert., 1871 Census), but a lowly rank as far as I can tell (no regimental records survive of his service). The death notice in the paper calls him a 'smith', however. Unfortunately, he does not appear in the BDM Index.
Does anyone have suggestions as to whether there are surviving records from the hospital that might help me discover how he died?
Steve Bridges
Sydney, Australia.

[kiterunner]

I can't even find the death notice on the British Newspaper Archive website, nor on Findmypast. Can you give us some details such as publication date and newspaper, please? Also where is he on the 1871 census and who did he marry and when?

[Merry]

I looked the same places as kiterunner plus the British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials records on FMP. Still nothing though.

[ElizabethHerts]

I couldn't find anything either.

[Phoenix]

Ditto. The only William Bridges shown as buried in Portsmouth in 1876 is an infant.

How old was this William when he died? Where was he on the census? If he was a smith, might he have been working in the dockyard?

[Merry]

I think the Station Hospital was in Portsea district rather than Portsmouth, but still no fitting registration!

[Phoenix]

It looks as if it was near Unicorn Terrace and the old Colewort Barracks, so yes, Portsea rather than St Thomas. I would expect a burial in Mile End Cemetery or Kingston Cemetery. At that date, death registration would either be under military deaths or Portse Island RD.

This is a fascinating thread: I hadn't realised that the QA started life as a military hospital, though that makes perfect sense, given its location. And there's the Haslar at Gosport as well.

[annswabey]

Do you know his Regiment?

[Steve Bridges]

Thanks, everyone-

This is my first post, so I'm impressed with the enthusiasm of members!

William Bridges was born in 1834 in Chedworth, GLS; parents Emmanuel and Rose (n.Crook).

He was married May 20, 1870 in Cheltenham, GLS, to Charlotte Clarke, with occupation listed as 'Military Train'. Therefore, he died aged 41. Newspaper notice attached, from the Cheltenham Mercury 18th March.

I just realised that I don't have him in the 1861 or 1871 Census (was he serving overseas?).

He's a real mystery!

[Phoenix]

Congratulations on finding the notice! No wonder we didn't. OCR at its best!

I wonder who inserted the notice? Charlotte? If so, why isn't she mentioned? Do you know wat happened to her? And did Rose die in the same quarter? That double blow is curious.