Ron

Yes I have seen the WO25 record, but perhaps I'm misinterpreting it. I note that Fothergill was on full pay with the 1st Royal Vets Bn, then went on 'retired pay' until Dec 1821. After brief service with the battalion in Ireland he returned to the retired list in 1823. I had interpreted this as meaning something less than full pay - presumably half - which would make sense when we see that Fothergill's widow claimed his pension after his death, using "Form No 3 - Required for placing on the pension list, the widow of an officer who died on half pay" (WO42). This suggests to me that he was then (1840) on half pay. When combined with his letters to officers who had known him in the Peninsular, implicitly seeking assistance because of his poor financial situation, the picture that emerges is one of hardship.

Would you have an idea of just what 'retired pay' was? Have I misunderstood it?

Sorry to focus on one man, but perhaps there is detail here for a wider audience as well.

Thanks again for your time.

Ian