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

Added 3.12.12. Entry tidied up 16.3.17.

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

1310, Private William FOISTER — 8th Hussars

Birth & early life

Born at Frisby, near Melton Mowbray, c.1835.

Enlistment

Enlisted at London on the 4th of May 1854.

Age: 19.

Height: 5' 8".

Trade: None.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 29th of April 1855.

From Private to Corporal: 1st of July 1855.

Corporal to Sergeant: 25th of June 1856.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Dundalk on the 21st of October 1856, because of:

"Reduction of the Army and unlikely to become an efficient soldier. Has Phthisis Pulmonary — the result of exposure to cold and wet in the Crimea."

Served 2 years 170 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year.

Conduct: "very good".

Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.

Aged 21 years 5 months on discharge.

Awarded a pension of 6d. per day for six months.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol.

Lummis and Wynn state, "Not on medal roll", but he is to be found on the Sebastopol clasp roll, as a Sergeant They also give his surname as "Forster".

Commemorations

Life after service

He was living in Leicester after discharge.

Death & burial


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