Born at King's Lynn, Norfolk, on the 25th of December 1836, and most probably a son of John and Catherine Fuce (nee Chilvers), who were married in St. Margaret's, King's Lynn, on the 27th of February 1832.
1851 Census
Railway cottage, King's Lynn.
Catherine Fuce, 35, Charwoman.
Two children shown: John, 15, Bricklayer's labourer, born King's Lynn, William, 13.
Enlisted at King's Lynn on the 1st of July 1854.
Age 17 years 6 months (under age for enlistment until the 24th of December 1854.)
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Labourer.
Fair complexion. Grey eyes. Lt. brown hair.
Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 25th of May 1855.
Tried and imprisoned by a Regimental Court-martial on the 13th of February 1861 for "improper conduct", until the 7th of May 1861.
Re-engaged for 12 years further service at Cahir on the 30th of January 1867.
Discharged from Netley Hospital on the 21st of March 1876, as "Free, at own request after 21 years service."
Service to count, 20 years 244 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year.
In India: 5 years.
Conduct: "very good".
Three times entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Once tried by Court-martial.
Awarded a pension of 1/1d. per day after discharge.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Documents confirm that he was in possession of five Good Conduct badges, the Crimean medal with one clasp, and the Turkish medal.
He said he intended to live at 26, Redhill Street, Regent's Park, London after discharge.
Died on the 28th of November 1879 and was buried in the Brompton Road Cemetery in the portion allocated for the In-Pensioners from Chelsea Royal Hospital. A stone was erected, and the wording in 1985 was just legible. This states, "Sacred to the memory of John Fuce, late of the 11th Hussars, who died November 26th 1879, aged 44 years." (See photograph of this stone in the 11th Hussar file.)
From this he was possibly an In-Pensioner (or perhaps employed) in the Royal Hospital at this time. However, no trace of him can be found as an inmate of the Hospital.)
A William Fuce, also born King's Lynn, Norfolk, served with the 11th Hussars (as No. 2206) from the 25th of August 1855 to the 31st of January 1867, when he transferred to the 6th Dragoon Guards (with the Regimental of 774), serving 23 years before being finally discharged on the 12th of September 1876. From given details and a comparison of their ages, they may have been twins.
Census information for 1851 kindly provided by Chris Poole.