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

Last additions 26.2.2013.

1494, Private Joseph CARTER — 4th Light Dragoons

Birth & early life

Born at Knightsbridge, London.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Hampton Court on the 21st of July 1851.

Age: 18.

Height: 5' 9".

Trade: Servant.

Appearance: Pale complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Wounded in action at Balaclava and after being sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854 was invalided to England on the 23rd of February 1855.

From Private to Corporal: 25th of July 1855.

Corporal to Sergeant: 1st of October 1857.

Transferred to the 18th Hussars on the 1st of March 1858. Regimental No. 11.

1861 Census

18th Hussars, Aldershot, Surrey

J Carter, unmarried, 27, Non commissioned officer, Sergeant, born Knightsbridge, Middlesex.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 4th of November 1862:

"Unfit for military service. Has dyspepsia and a tendency towards Phthisis [TB]. Origin stems from constitutional infirmity and military service.

He was wounded at Balaclava during the Cavalry charge in the right arm by the bursting of a shell, vide his small book signed by Captain Moore: Bears marks of shell wound on right arm."

Served 11 years 79 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 12 months.

Conduct and character: "good". Would have been in possession of two Good Conduct badges if not promoted.

Never entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Never tried by Court-martial.

A letter was sent to him to attend a Medical Board on the 6th of December 1865. This he did on the 8th of December 1865 and was granted a final pension of 6d. per day for six months from the 19th of December 1865.

Medals & commemorations

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol.

Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with one clasp (not specified) and the Turkish medal.

The medal roll "Remarks" column, dated 2nd of May 1856, shows "Sent on a certificate signed by Colonel Low". But it is impossible to say whether this refers to the whole medal or specific clasp(s).

Further medal information archived.

Life after service

Death & burial

References & acknowledgements

Census information for 1861 kindly provided by Chris Poole.


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