Born in Highgate, London.
1841 Census
Johns Row, Finsbury.
The 1841 Census shows him as the son of John and Harriet Holston, a Tailor. Nothing further can be found in GRO registers [RM].
Enlisted at Hounslow as "James" Holston on the 29th of October 1849.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: White-smith.
At Scutari General Depot from the 14th of September and sent to rejoin the regiment on the 3rd of October.
From Private to Corporal: 19th of July 1855.
Corporal to Sergeant: 1st of October 1855.
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 13th of April 1859.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 11th of May 1859.
From Private to Corporal: 1st of February 1860.
Discharged, "by claim", from Dublin on the 1st of April 1862.
Served 12 years 154 days. Conduct: "good". In possession of one Good Conduct badge.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.