We had Chelsea Pensioners living in Whitchurch

In the Census of 1861, there were 2 separate families of Chelsea Pensioners (the smiley men in bright red coats) living in Whitchurch.

At the crossroads in one of the thatched cottages we mentioned last time, William Richards, aged 75 was living with his wife Anne and daughter Margaret. He was old enough to have fought against Napoleon in the Peninsular Wars or even at the Battle of Waterloo (we’ll never know).

The image shows the cottage in which he lived.

In the Lower Village (probably Gwaun-Tre-Oda), lived another Chelsea Pensioner. We don’t know exactly where he was living, but his name was William Badger, aged 52 (from Worcestershire) with his wife and seven children. This William was too young to have fought alongside William Richards (of the Crossroads), but it is fascinating to learn about his children. His first 3, John, George and James were all born in Gibraltar. The next, William was born in the West Indies and the next, Joseph in North America. The youngest 2, Elizabeth and Caroline were born in Gloucestershire and Durham. It would seem that William Badger took his wife and family with him wherever he was stationed around the empire.

By 1871, William Badger had left the area, but his oldest son John was married with a 2-year-old son and living in Sunnybanks. By 1881, John had left the area too to and was living near to his parents in Roath.

Does anyone know any more about either family?

  Back