TOPIC:

I did see the Auchtemutty Mr Kane who transferred to the 59th Battalion. Alas, like you pointed out, this chap was not the right age for your man.

With reference to this part of your post.

The next mystery is that during 1857/58 the 59th were stationed in Hong Kong/China, and had been for several years. So how did he come to be born in Ireland? If his mother didn't travel with them, how was he conceived? If she did travel, under what circumstances might she have been sent to Athlone? Although the Regiment had its Depot in Ireland, I can't find any evidence that it was at Athlone. For it to have been recorded as a military birth, I'm assuming he was born within the barracks.

Is it possible James Kane / Keane may have been with the 59th Depot battalion?
If so, they were responsible for recruitment, training, sending of reinforcements. The Depot of the 59th was in Ireland right through the 1850s.

From
June 1850 Fermoy
Jul 1850 Tralee
November 1851 Fermoy
November 1852 Charles Fort
September 1853 Kinsale
October 1853 Charles Fortt
February 1854 Kinsale
October 1854 Cork
July 1855 Belfast
December 1855 Londonderry
August 1856 Curragh
September 1856 Athlone
November 1860 Chichester.

It may explain how Thomas may have come to be born in Ireland?

I found a James Kane and a James Keens of the 59th but they were in China.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I wish you well in your future investigations.

Thanks so much Dave, that could explain a lot. Do you have any more info on the Depot Battalion? It's not something I'm familiar with, although it would make sense that they would need a garrison to man the depot. Would it have been identified as such, or would it have just been a detachment within the "59th" or "2nd Battalion"? Would personnel have been switched in and out of the Depot Batn? The first page of his discharge papers say that he served in China and Cape of Good Hope for 9 5/12 years, which if they were sequential and directly before his discharge, would mean that he could have been at Athlone in 1858, and the preceding year(s).

I've so far read "The Lilywhite 59th" and James Bodell's Reminiscences, and have "Red Roses on the Veldt" on my shelf to be read next. Can you recommend any other sources?

Thanks for all your help so far Dave. I think I'm finally starting to unravel part of this mystery.

Happy to help Graham.
Your next read, Red Rose's on the Veldt is an excellent book and focuses on the Lancashire regiments who fought in the Anglo Boer War. As for other publications, have you tried Naval Military press website? There might be something there for you.
The Lancashire regimental Museum may be able to help.
Also there are are online journals you can access from your local library and on your computer. I found this little taster for you on JSTOR digital academic journal, which does mention the 59th Regiment and a 12th depot Battalion at Athlone reference the China campaign.

Maybe worth a perusal?

Good luck

Regards

Dave....