Born at Marlborough, Wiltshire, and christened in the Independent Chapel at Marlborough on the 27th of June 1837, the son of Edmund Bessell and Mary Ann Thomas.
Enlisted at Bristol on the 2nd of January 1855.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Pawnbroker.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.
Joined the regiment in the Crimea from Cork on the 16th of July 1855.
From Private to Corporal, 23rd of May 1857.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
The July-September 1858 muster rolls show him as being "On detachment at Shoolapoor" during this period.
In action against the rebels at Zeerapore on the 29th of December 1858 and at Baroda on the 1st of January 1859.
Corporal to Sergeant 23rd of May 1859.
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 26th of May 1864.
Re-engaged at Aldershot for a further 12 years service on the 24th of June 1867.
Promoted to Quarter-master Sergeant on the 4th of February 1871.
Discharged from Aldershot on the 21st of December 1877. "Free discharge after 21 years service."
Served 22 years 180 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea, 1 year.
In India, 7 years 7 months.
Conduct: "very good." Never entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book. Never tried by Court-martial.
Aged 41 years 3 months on discharge.
The muster roll states, "To live in Leeds," but his documents, "To stay with the 17th Lancers," but not in what capacity.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean, Mutiny, and Long Service medals.
Mutiny medal without clasp.
Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 1st of February 1873 with a gratuity of £5.
The 1881 Census shows him as living in the Board of Works Premises with various workshops at Hammersmith, London, a Superintendent of Place employing 65 men and Boys. He was aged 43, born at Marlborough, Wilshire, with Matilda Bishop, a Widow, Pensioner, General Servant, aged 58, born at Woking, Surrey.