With reference to your Grandfather's time in Bermuda.
Source : Bermuda and the British Army.
2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. After refusing to serve at Wellington Barracks in London in July 1890, this unit was sent - exiled - to Bermuda as a punishment, after their conduct in the strikes in London of 1889 and 1890. In this volatile situation the final step towards revolution was predicted by many. First reported in the evening papers of 7th July, 1890, the news broke nationally in The Times the following day, that the 2nd Grenadier Guards had 'refused duty' at Wellington Barracks, London, in consequence of excessive guard duties and inspections, in addition to their normal duties. The dissatisfaction of the men started with the appointment in 1889 to the command of the battalion of Col. Mackgill-Crichton-Maitland, who had little idea of handling men. The flashpoint of the Guard's dissatisfaction seems to have been the detailing of the battalion to move to Pirbright to be used in the drill training of Militia and Volunteer officers. This always entailed a considerable amount of preparation of their uniforms by the men. However, owing to a breakdown in command (the adjutant resigned over this failure) the men were not informed of the journey until late, some as they came off guard duty and others on their return from week-end leave. This brought to the boil the men's simmering discontent. Col. Maitland went to the barrack rooms, and is said to have been "disrespectfully received. The company officers then spoke to the men, urging them to parade, even if they dressed as they pleased, a suggestion which was quietly obeyed, thus reducing a possible charge of 'failing to obey a lawful command' (i.e. mutiny) to that of 'failing to appear on parade properly dressed'. It is reported than when Col. Maitland addressed the men, threatening to send in the Scots Guards, "murmurs were heard that those men would be found to be with the Grenadiers". On being confined to barracks indefinitely, some of the men threatened to break out, but this confinement order was repealed the next day, the 9th, possibly to help to defuse the situation. but it did not and courts-martial ensued. Grenadiers were found guilty and the question of punishment for the battalion as a whole was considered.
The worst disgrace for a Guards regiment was to be sent abroad in peacetime, as opposed to going to a seat of war, and several stations were mooted, including South Africa, Aden or Ireland. In the London Gazette of 22nd July 1890 Col. Maitland is shown as "retiring on half pay", his place in command of the 2nd Grenadier Guards being taken Col the Hon. H. Eaton (later to succeed his brother as 3rd Lord Cheylesmore). The former Adjutant, Lt. the Hon. W.D. Murray also resigned, his place being taken by Lt A. H. O. Lloyd. Another casualty of the affair was a sergeant who was in the process of receiving a (Q/M's?) commission, and who had reached the stage of being ordered to hand in his NCO's uniform. When it was found that he had been his company's orderly sergeant at the time of the disturbance his commission was instantly cancelled.
