Born in the parish of St. Patrick's, Waterford, Ireland.
Enlisted at Leeds on the 31st of May 1830.
Age: 20 years and 3 months.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Clerk. Fresh complexion. Grey eyes. Brown hair.
Embarked for India from the Maidstone Depot on the 5th of March 1831.
1851 Census
Pockthorpe Cavalry Barracks, Norwich
John Haughton, 40, unmarried, Private, born St Patrick's, Waterford, Ireland.
Sent to the General Hospital at Scutari on the 18th of December 1854.
Invalided to England from Scutari aboard the "Orinoco", 21st of January — 13th of February 1855, and sent to Kingston, "on furlo, pending discharge", on the 30th of June 1855.
Finally discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 17th of July 1855 as: "Is unfit for further service — due to failing strength and chronic pains. Has slight lance wound on left shoulder."
EJB: Although he is not shown in the official casualty list in the London Gazette, the fact of the lance wound in his shoulder raises the strong possibility that rode in the Charge. Having been born circa 1810 he could well have died before the formation of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877.
Conduct and character: "Bad". Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Three times tried by Court-martial.
Tried and imprisoned by a Regimental Court-martial from the 7th of February — 10th of April 1839.
In custody of the Civil Power, 29th of July 1841 — 17th of February 1842. He had also lost all rights to pension and previous service by this conviction — a total of 11 years 16 days (pre July 1841). This forfeited service was restored by War Office Authority, dated 6th of November 1855.
"Horse Guards,
14th March 1855.
Sir, — I have the honour to refer to you the enclosed petition from Private John Haughton of the 11th Hussars for the restoration of his forfeited service which has been submitted for the favourable consideration of the General Commanding-in-Chief from Major General Lord Cardigan, and to request that should you concur with Lord Cardigan in judging this applicant's claim to be a just one, that you will return to this Department the usual returns of this soldier's services which are required on these occasions.
I am, etc. etc.,
A. G. Weatherall, AAG.
[To:] Officer Commanding, 11th Hussars, Crimea."
"Horse Guards,
19th June 1855,
Sir, — With reference of the Memorandum from this Department on the 25th of April last, I have the honour to request that you will be pleased to transmit the returns and records as required in order that the names of the men named in the margin [Privates Haughton and Milburne, 11th Hussars] may now be submitted to the Queen for the restoration of their forfeited service. I have the honour at the same time to request the enclosure transmitted in the former communication from this Office be returned.
I am, etc. etc.,
R.P. Douglas, AAG.
[To:] Officer Commanding Cavalry Depot, Newbridge."
"Horse Guards,18th June 1855,
Sir, — I have the honour to request that you will be pleased to transmit to this Department the usual returns immediately, recommending the restoration of the forfeited services of the men named in the margin [646 Private John Haughton and 741 Sylvester Milburne] in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 11 (Page 106) of the Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Army.
I am, etc. etc.,
R.P. Douglas, AAG.
Officer Commanding 11th Hussars, Turkey."
A further letter was sent regarding the forfeiture of his previous service prior to his court-martial for desertion:
"To the Secretary, Chelsea Royal Hospital.
Horse Guards,
31 July 1855.
Sir, — It appearing that the man named in the margin has been discharged on the 17th inst. with a temporary pension of 6d. per day for 3 years only, I am directed by the General Commanding-in-Chief to acquaint you that this man has been recommended for the restoration of his previous service, to which he is entitled under the provisions of the Royal Warrant, and to request that his name may once again be submitted to the Lords and Commissioners just as soon as Her Majesty's assent has been obtained."
A second letter was later sent to the Secretary of the Royal Hospital:
"Horse Guards,
27 October 1855.
Sir, — With reference to the letter from this Department of the 31st of July last, I am directed by the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to acquaint you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to restore the forfeited service of this man, and to request that his name may be brought forward to the notice of the Lords and Commissioners of the Hospital with a view to his receiving a permanent pension."
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal. His name appears out of alphabetical order on the Balaclava clasp roll, with no indication why it should have been added almost at the very end.
The Alma/Inkerman roll shows that his Crimean medal was "replaced" on the 13th of March 1856.
1861 Census
11, Hart Street, Salford.
The 1861 Census shows him as aged 48, a "Commercial Clerk, Pens. Chelsea Hospital". His wife Emily, aged 36, born Kingston on Thames, is also shown. [RM]
[RM: No further record can be found post this entry. However the registration of the death of a man of the same name has been found in Salford in the December Quarter of 1865.]
Census information for 1841 kindly provided by Chris Poole.