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LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

Added 3.5.11. Further information added 13.2.12 and 27.2.12. Minor edits 2.3.2014.

1559, Private Charles WICKENS / WACKENS / WICKINS / WIGGINS - 13th Light Dragoons

Birth & early life

Born Barnes, Surrey.

1841 Census

Row, Barnes, Surrey.

Charles Wiggins, 25, Agricultural Labourer.

Martha, 20.

Charles, 4.

Elizabeth, 2.

Ann, 4 months.

1851 Census

High Street, Barnes.

Charles Wackens, 37, Agricultural Labourer, born Wimbledon.

Martha, 37, born Barnes.

Charles, 14.

Elizabeth, 12.

Martha, 8.

Alfred, 4.

Enlistment

Enlisted at London on the 15th of March 1854.

Age: 18.

Height: 5' 7".

Trade: Labourer.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Sent to the Depot at Birmingham on the 1st of April 1854.

Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 13th of August 1855.

Transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Military Train at Cahir on the 30th of November 1856. Regimental No 931.

He deserted on the way to join and on rejoining was taken on the strength of the 5th Battalion from the 5th of July 1857.

Confined, 6th-22nd of July, tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned from the 23rd of July-29th of August 1857.

From Private to Corporal: 23rd of February 1858.

Corporal to Sergeant: 9th of June 1859.

Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 8th of May 1865.

Discharge & pension

Discharged, "time expired", from Portsmouth on the 5th of November 1866.

Medals & commemorations

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.

Not recorded by Lummis and Wynn.

Life after service

NB. His name is spelled "Wickins" in all Census entries from 1871 onwards.

1871 Census

8, Bessborough Place, Westminster.

Charles, 34, Assistant Warder, Millbank Prison.

Martha, 37.

Martha, 6.

Elizabeth Ann, 4, born Barnes.

Eliza, 1, born Pimlico.

1881 Census

32, High Street, Barnes, Surrey.

Charles Wickins, Gardener, aged 44, born Barnes, Surrey. He was living with his wife, Martha, 44, born at Earlsbarton, Northants, and three children, all Scholars, and his mother, Martha Wickens, age 67, also born at Barnes, Surrey.

1891 Census

Richmond Cottage, Barnes.

Charles Wickins, 54, Painter's Labourer.

Martha, 58.

William, 18, son, Grocer's Assistant, born Barnes.

John Henry, 15, son, Grocer's Assistant, born Barnes.

Death registered

Charles's mother, Martha Wickins, who was with them in 1881, died aged 77 in 1891. Her death was registered in the December Quarter in Richmond.

1901 Census

99, Archway Street, Barnes.

Charles Wickins, 64, House Painter.

Martha, 67.

1911 Census

12, Grove Road, Barnes SW.

Charles Wickins, 74, Army Pensioner, born Barnes.

Martha, 77.

Married 49 years.

Their son William and his wife were visiting.

Death & burial

Deaths registered

Charles Wickins, 88, September Quarter 1918, Richmond.

Martha Wickins, 91, December Quarter 1923, Richmond.

References & acknowledgements

Census information, and registration of deaths, kindly provided by Chris Poole.


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