Born in the parish of Holy Trinity, Exeter.
He was baptised in Trinity Parish Church, Exeter, on the 12th of September 1830, the second of five children born to William Croydon and his wife, Dorothy. The family was then living in Southernhay Lane, Exeter.
The other children were Elizabeth Hibbs, baptised on the 24th of February 1828, Henry George, baptised on the 25th of August 1832, Mary Ann, baptised on the 12th of August 1835, and Maria, baptised on the 28th of August 1836.
At the time of the birth of the last three children the family was living in Magdalen Street.
His father's occupation was originally shown as being that of a Labourer, but in 1836 as that of a Porter.
The Revd Bradford was the officiating priest in each instance.
Enlisted at Exeter on the 27th of October 1849.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Farrier.
Appearance: Fair complexion. Hazel eyes. Lt. brown hair.
Slightly wounded in action in the Charge at Balaclava.
Sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854 and rejoined the regiment on the 24th of November 1854.
Sent to Scutari again on the 27th of December 1854 and invalided to England on the 24th of March 1855.
Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 16th of October 1855:
"Found unfit for further military service. Suffers from deafness in both ears. Says after typhus fever."
Served 5 years 331 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year.
Conduct: "a good soldier". Aged 24 years on discharge.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, and Sebastopol.
Granted a pension of 7d per day for two years.
Refused further pension on the 7th of October 1857, a letter having been sent to the "Officer Commanding, 4th Light Dragoons" on the 4th of September 1867. Reason not stated.
He was living in Exeter after discharge.