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

Added 3.12.12

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

972, Private Richard FITZGERALD — 8th Hussars

Birth & early life

Born in the parish of St. Mary's, Clonmell, Co. Tipperary, c.1816.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Clonmell on the 26th of May 1836.

Age: 20.

Height: 5' 7".

Trade: Smith-farrier.

Appearance: Sallow complexion. Brown eyes. Lt. brown hair.

Service

Joined the regiment in the Crimea from Scutari on the 3rd of October 1854, having been sent there on the 16th of September.

He sent money from India via Major Robert Poore to his wife, then living in Ducket Street, Clonmell, Ireland,

Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.

Transferred to the 20th Hussars on the 1st of November 1863. Regimental No. 609.

He had been appointed to the rank of Farrier on the 10th of October 1861, but transferred in the rank of Private.

From Private to Farrier: 27th of May 1864.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Canterbury on the 14th of June 1870.

"Free, at own request, after 24 years' service,"

Served 24 years 6 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 4 months

In India: 9 years 4 months.

Conduct: "very good".

In possession of four Good Conduct badges.

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

Intended to live in Clonmell, Co. Tipperary, after discharge.

Pension letters sent when living in South London in 1872.

Medals

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

Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.

Served at Kotah and Gwalior.

He was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 10th of May 1869, with a gratuity of £15.

Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, the Turkish Medal, the Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India and the Long Service & Good Conduct medal.

Commemorations

Life after service

Death & burial


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