Born at Wymondham, Norfolk.
There were no fewer than seven families with the surname of Bunn living in Wymondham, Norfolk, in the period 1818-20.
A "Richardson Bunn", son of Thomas Bunn, weaver, and his wife Mary (nee Bowhill) of Damgate, Wymondham, was baptised on the 12th of April 1818. (The adding of "son" to a Christian name was often done at this time.)
Two other children were also born into the same family: Ann, baptised on the 26th of December 1819 and Thomas Graves, who was baptised on the 29th of December 1821.
Enlisted at London on the 15th of January 1839.
Age: 20 years 9 months.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Labourer.
Sallow complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.
Invalided to England on the 6th of July 1855.
"On sick furlo" to Mile End Road, London, 19th of October-2nd of December 1855.
Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 22nd of January 1856:
"Rendered unfit for further service from being the subject of chronic rheumatism. Generally attributable to exposure to the wet when stationed at Norwich in 1852 and aggravated by service in the Crimea. "
A letter was sent from the Horse Guards to J.H. Sparke, Esq., Gunthorpe Hall, Thetford (father of Henry Astley Sparke of the 4th Light Dragoons, who was killed in the Charge) on the 24th of November 1855:
"Sir, Reference having been made to the Officer commanding the Cavalry Depot at Brighton respecting Private Richard Bunn of the 4th Light Dragoons, I am directed to acquaint you that he has been proposed for discharge as unfit for the service and is now at the Invalid Depot, Chatham."
Aged 37 years 9 months on discharge.
Served 16 years 225 days. Abroad in India and the Crimea, 3 years.
Conduct and character: "a good soldier."
In possession of three Good Conduct badges.
Awarded a pension of 7d. per day.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
He was refused a place as an In-Pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea when he applied on the 22nd of September 1857 on the grounds that he was " too young". He was then 38 years of age, a single man, living at No. 24 Clarence Street, Waterloo Town, Bethnal Green, London.
Died in the East London Pension District on the 19th of November 1860.
The St. Catherine's House records show a "Richard Bunn" died in the Bethnal Green District during the October-December Quarter 1860. No age at death was shown, this being before it was recorded.
His death certificate shows that he died at No 24 Clarence Street, Bethnal Green, at the age of 42 years from "Diabetes and Epilepsy". He was described as a labourer in a Tea Warehouse, and a Rebecca Bunn, of the same address, was present at, and the informant of, his death. (There is a copy in the "Certificates" file.)