LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive
Added 16.12.2012. Some edits 10.12.2013. New info. added 26.8.2018.
IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION
1265, James RAWLINS — 8th Hussars
Also recorded as "Rawlings"; possibly a modification of an earlier "Rolins" or "Rollins".
Birth & early life
James Rawlins was born in Thorverton, near Exeter, Devon, on the 19th of April 1832, the son of James Rawlings, a Labourer, and his wife Charlotte. He was baptised James Bray Rawlings on the 20th of July 1834 by the Revd. H. Willett.
Parents
James Rawlins's father had married Charlotte Bray in St. Mary Arches Church, Exeter, some eight months after his birth. The ceremony was "after banns", both parents being described as "of full age", and resident in the parish. The witnesses were T. Tree and G. Tree, the officiating priest being the Revd. Edward Chase, A.M.
James Rawlings senior was buried on the 5th of May 1853 by the Revd. J.D. Coleridge.
Siblings
Other children born into the family were Josias, baptised on the 8th of October 1843 by the Right Reverend Bishop Coleridge (the father's occupation at this time was shown as Sawyer) and Hezikia [sic?] Richard Bray, baptised on the 16th of November 1843 (a note adds that he was born on the 3rd of July 1837).
Another daughter, Charlotte Louise, was buried on the 21st of January 1844 at the age of 5 years and two months. No trace can be found of her baptism.
The later records show the family as living in Dinneford Street in Thorverton. No trace can be found of his parents' marriage in the Thorverton records.
Grandparents
James Rawlins's grand-father was almost certainly James Rolings [sic], a soldier, of the parish of Droitwich in Worcestershire, who had married Ann Tree at Thorverton on the 16th of December 1805 after banns called on the 24th of November and the 1 and 8th of December.
The bride signed the register, but both the groom and Edward Sidway and William Tree (witnesses) had to make their mark. The ceremony was conducted by the Revd. George Cutler. Some degree of verification comes from the fact that people by the name of Tree were witnesses at the marriage of James Rawlings in Exeter.
A James Rolings was baptised at Thorverton on the 9th of November 1806 — the son of James and Ann Rolings. Ann Tree was baptised at Thorverton on the 19th of October 1783, the daughter of William and Ann Tree, the 3d. stamp duty payable at this time being shown as "Parish Pay".
Her parents, William and Ann (nee Frost), were married at Thorverton "after banns" called on the 3rd, 10th and 17th of April, on the 7th of May 1774. The witnesses were Ann Spat and William Pullen, and the priest was the Revd. George Cutliffe.
(A point of interest is an entry at the end of the parish register for the earlier period: "The condition of this book is bad because on the 18th of November 1821 the Brook overflowed into the Rectory and filled the iron chest in which this book was deposited.")
1851 Census
St David's Hill, St David, Exeter.
James Rawlins [sic], servant, unmarried, 17, Stable Boy, born Thorverton
He was one of two servants living with retired grocer Joseph Wippell and his wife Jane.
Enlistment
Enlisted at Exeter on the 18th of October 1853.
Age: 17 years 10 months.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Servant.
Appearance: Fair complexion. Grey eyes. Fair hair.
[PB: Crider, below, notes that JR would have been 21, not 17, at enlistment.]
Service
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Shooting Star" on the 25th of April 1854.
He was batman to Lieutenant Clement Heneage, 8th Hussars in the Crimea.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
From Private to Corporal (in "D" Troop): 10th of July 1858.
"Confined", 28th-30th of September, and reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 1st of October 1859.
Marriage
James Rawlins married Ellen Milburn at Fulford, York, on the 20th of September 1864. He was then shown as being 30 years of age, a servant, of Fulford, and she as being 24 years of age, and a spinster. Notice there was reference to his being a soldier. [PB: Why not?]
Marriage registered
James Bray Rawlings [sic] to Ellen Milburn, September Quarter 1864, York.
He was shown on the Regimental "Married roll" from the 24th of September 1864. They had no children up to the 30th of September 1873. The name and profession of [?] father was not shown in either case [PB: meaning?].
Birth registered
Ellen Milburn [future wife], September Quarter 1839, York.
1861 Census
21, Little Shambles, York.
Sivnel Milburn, 53, Tailor & Clothes dealer, born York.
Elizabeth Milburn,54, born York.
Ellen Milburn, 21 (future wife), Dress Makers App[rentice], born York.
Thomas Milburn, 18, born York.
George Milburn, 16, born York.
Joseph Milburn, 14, born York.
John Milburn, 10, born York.
Also 1 nephew.
[CP: At the time of the 1861 Census, James Rawlin was in India.]
From Private to Corporal: 1st of November 1863.
Corporal to Sergeant: 27th of September 1865.
Re-engaged for a further 12 years' service at Aldershot on the 13th of October 1865.
[CP: At the time of the 1871 Census, James Rawlins was in Ireland [presumably with his wife].]
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 7th of April 1873 (in "C" Troop).
Discharge & pension
JR was discharged from Aldershot on the 22nd of December 1873, at "Own request, to pension after 21 years' service." He was aged 40 and shown as being of the Protestant religion.
Served 22 years 5 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 339 days
In India: 6 years 116 days.
Conduct: "very good".
In possession of two Good Conduct badges when promoted and would now have had five.
Intended to live at 50, Stonegate, York, but he was living in the Leeds Pension District in 1875.
His pension of 2/- per day on discharge was increased to 2/8d. per day from the 3rd of October 1893.
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India. Served at Kotah.
He was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 23rd of November 1872.
Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on the 8th of November 1890 with an annuity of £10. On first being recommended on the 8th of September 1890 this was refused, but a further application by the Commanding officer of the regiment was successful and was endorsed: "To have precedence over other candidates from the regiment."
Further detailed medal information archived
Commemorations
Life after service
1881 Census
Ingramgate, Thirsk, Yorkshire.
The 1881 Census Returns show him as a Segt. Major, Yorkshire Hussars, aged 45, born at Exeter, Devon, with his wife, Ellen, 41, and born at York.
1881 Census
Ingramgate, Thirsk.
James Rawlings [sic], 45, Sgt Major Yorkshire Hussars & Chelsea Pensioner, born Exeter.
Ellen Rawlings, 41, born York.
[CP]
1891 Census
Ingramgate, Thirsk.
James Rawlins [sic], 55, Drill Instructor Yorkshire Hussars, born Thorverton, 6 miles north of Exeter.
[Source: www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/105444219/person/290047468867]
[CP]
1901 Census
Ingramgate, Thirsk.
James Rawlins [sic], 66, Coal agent & pensioner 8th Hussars, born Thorverton.
Ellen Rawlins, 61, born York.
[CP]
Extracts from various local newspapers during his later years:
May, 1890. Yorkshire Hussars. Presentation to a Retiring Sergeant-Major"
"An interesting presentation was made yesterday afternoon to Sergeant-Major Rawlings, of Thirsk, attached to "C" Troop of the Yorkshire Hussars, who, under the reduction in numbers of sergeant-majors under the new regulations, is retiring from the service.
At the conclusion of the annual inspection the "C" Troop proceeded to their parade station in Exhibition Square, and where Captain the Hon. H.F. Dawnay, on behalf of the subscribers, comprising the officers, non-commissioned officers and men and officers who had previously served in the Troop, presented Mr. Rawlings with an aneroid barometer, a silver-mounted walking cane and a purse of gold.
In doing so Captain Dawnay spoke of Sergeant Rawling's long service to his country, the meritorious way in which he had always fulfilled his duties, and the esteem in which he was held by every member of the Troop.
Sergeant Rawlings acknowledged the gifts in appropriate terms and expressed his regret at the severance which was about to take place between himself and the members of his troop, with whom he had always been on the most friendly terms.
It may be interesting to note that Sergeant Rawling's term of service extends over thirty-nine and a half years, 22 of which he spent in the 8th Hussars and 17 as Sergeant-Major to the "C" Troop of the Yorkshire Hussars.
He possesses medals for the Crimean campaign, including the Turkish medal, and was a participant in the famous Balaclava Charge and the battles of Inkerman and Alma and for Sebastopol. He has also gained the Central India medal for the Mutiny and the meritorious and long service medals with a gratuity."
Northern Notes: A Balaclava Hero at Thirsk.
As stated in our report of Lord Robert's visit to York, the Commander-in-Chief was introduced on the station platform by Colonel Browne, V.C. to a Crimean veteran who had served through the Indian Mutiny with Lord Robert's father.
The old soldier, a resident of Thirsk, was ex-Troop Sergeant Major James Rawlins of the 8th Hussars. Rawlins had enlisted into the 8th Hussars at Topsham Barracks, Exeter, on the 15th of October 1853, at the age of 17 years and 10 months.
He proceeded on active service with his regiment to the Crimea, where he was four times engaged and received the Crimean and Turkish medals, with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
The regiment afterwards proceeded to India, where Rawlins was engaged several times during the great Mutiny, and received the Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.
He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on the 1st of July 1859, to Sergeant on the 27th of September 1865, and to Troop Sergeant Major on the 1st of April 1873, which rank he held until his discharge to a pension on the 4th of January 1874, being appointed a Permanent Staff-Serjeant of the Yorkshire Hussars the day after.
Serjeant Major Rawlins is in the possession of the silver medal for both meritorious service and good Conduct: a total of 39 years and 263 days service.
In the Yeomanry he was later appointed Sergeant Major Instructor of the Thirsk Troop, with which he served 17 years and 263 days, retiring about seven years ago.
With the exception of 83 days, Mr. Rawlins wore actively the uniform of his Queen for 40 years. He volunteered for South Africa on the outbreak of hostilities, but owing to his age his services were not accepted — a pill he still finds difficult to swallow."
James Rawlins's Diary, transcribed and published as "One Hussar".
JR kept a diary from October of 1853 to December of 1863, although with many gaps. He makes but few if any references to any actions he took part in — and the Charge is not mentioned at all. Many of the later entries consist only of dates and initials, one of the last being for the 30th of November 1863 at Allahabad:
I had the pleasure of seeing my D.B. [dear brother?] and had a long chat with the unhappy fellow."
There is a copy of James Rawlins's Diary, and of Ken Horton's published transcription, in the "Memoirs" file.
Reference to One Hussar in Laurence Crider, In Search of the Light Brigade.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Death & burial
James Rawlins died on the 6th of June 1907.
St Catherine's House records show that a "James Bray Rawlins" died in the Thirsk District during the April-June Quarter of 1907, aged 75 years.
Death registered
James Bray Rawlins [sic], June Quarter 1907,Thirsk.
[See Ancestry: England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915 for James Bray Rawlins.]
1911 Census
13, Main Avenue York
Ellen Rawlings [sic], sister-in-law, 71, widow, Private means, born York.
Living with her widowed sister-in-law, Sarah Milburn, Sarah's daughter, and Sarah's sister.
Death registered
Ellen Rawlings [sic], December Quarter 1915, York.
He was buried with his wife, Ellen [nee Milburn], in grave No. 570 in the Town Cemetery at Thirsk. This has a memorial stone of three plinths surmounted by a cross and bears the inscription:
In loving memory of Sergeant-Major James Rawlins, born 19th April 1832 — Died 6th June 1907.
Served in the Crimean War and was present at Sebastopol, Inkerman, Alma and Balaclava.
One of the Noble Six Hundred and served in the Indian Mutiny 1857-58. 17 years in C. Troop, Yorkshire Hussars.
Also of Ellen, wife of the above, Born 20th May 1839 — Died 10th December 1915."
See photographs of his grave and headstone, medals and badges of rank from the Yorkshire Hussars and of his home at 22, Ingramgate, Thirsk (house with porch).
EJB: His greater family (on his wife's side) still have his discharge documents, photograph and medals. His great-niece stated that "he was a stern old man in his old age. Always read family prayers on Sundays..."
James Rawlins also managed to retain his "Conduct Sheet" by some means (see copy in the 8th Hussar file), which shows him as being charged at various times with a variety of offences. (See also a copy of his discharge certificate from the Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry, a copy of his pay book, and a portrait of him in civilian clothes in the 8th Hussar file.)
A tea-pot presented to him in 1881 is inscribed: "Presented to Sergeant Major Rawlins by Captain the Hon. W.T. Orde-Pewlett, 1881."
There are photographs of his medals, his badges of rank in both the 8th Hussars and the Yeomanry, and also of the teapot, in the 8th Hussar file.
References & acknowledgements
Additional marriage, birth and death registrations, and Census information for 1851, 1861, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 kindly provided by Chris Poole.
Further information
1265, Private James Bray Rawlins in Laurence Crider, In Search of the Light Brigade.
(Click on image to enlarge)
