Born at Athlone, Ireland.
Was educated at the Royal Hibernian School, Dublin. His father had served in the 75th Foot. Two other brothers had also enlisted into the Army, James, into the 12th Lancers on the 4th of June 1850 and Francis, into the 75th Foot on the 10th of December 1850. Both had also been educated at the School.
Enlisted into the Band at Dublin on the 6th of January 1847.
(Attained the age of 15 years and on to "Man's Pay" from the 8th of September 1847.)
Age: 14 years 4 months.
Height: 4' 6".
Trade: None.
From Private to Tptr. 1st of July 1853.
At Scutari General Depot from the 14-20 of October 1854.
Reverted to Private 20th of November 1856.
Absent, 1-30 of June 1860. Imprisoned, 4th of February — 31st of March 1860:
"Deserted" from Birmingham on the 30th of July 1860 and rejoined the regiment on the 30th of July 1861. Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned from the 31st of July — 5th of September 1861. Also to "lose the whole of his previous service by this conviction".
>Discharged for "Ignominious conduct and a bad character," from Curragh Camp on the 21st of January 1864.
Conduct and character: "Incorrigible". Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
The muster roll for the Balaclava period states, "sick, absent".