Born in the parish of St. Marylebone, London, c.1814.
Enlisted at London on the 9th of September 1839.
Age: 25 years 3 months.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Groom.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Brown hair.
Marriage registered
William Frevillier to Elizabeth Mansfield, June Quarter 1842, Manchester.
1851 Census
Preston Cavalry Barracks, Steyning
William Frevillier, 34, married, Private soldier, born St Marylebone,...(Page 8)
Elizabeth Frevillier, 31, born Hollnss Green (Page 20)
Kate Frevillier, 8, born London
John Frevillier, 6, born Dublin
William Frevillier, 4, born Ireland
Elizabeth Frevillier, 2, born Kildare.
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H. T. "Echunga" on the 15th of May 1854.
On board a Hospital Ship from the 15th of January 1855 and invalided from Scutari to England on the 29th of March 1855.
Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 17th of July 1855, since:
"Rendered unfit for further service from debility and rheumatism of the back and lower extremities from length of service — and exposure in the Crimea."
Conduct: "good.
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
Served 15 years 257 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 10 months.
Aged 41 years 1 month on discharge.
He was granted a pension of 6d. per day.
To live in Manchester.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean and Turkish medals.
He appears in a picture taken at Chatham Invalid Depot sometime during the first half of 1855 of a large number of wounded and otherwise disabled men, the original being in the Royal Archives.
He is numbered as "9" in a contemporary key list — and on which he is shown as being there through "impaired health" and being the heavily bearded figure with the point of his hat to the left, next to the corner of the brick wall, slightly to the left of centre of the picture.
There is a copy of the picture, and key, in the 8th Hussar file.
1861 Census
9, Park Grove, Rusholme, Lancs
William Frevillier, 45, Domestic Servant, born London
Elizabeth Frevillier, 39, born Hollins Green, Lancs
Catherine Frevillier, 17, Apprentice Dressmaker, born London
John Frevillier, 15, Merchants Clerk, born Ireland
William Frevillier, 13, Office Boy, born Ireland
Elizabeth Frevillier, 11, Scholar, born Ireland
Jane Frevillier, 9, born Brighton
Edward Frevillier, 4, born Rusholme
Alice Frevillier, 2, born Rusholme
George Frevillier, 4 months, born Rusholme
Admitted to In-Pension at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, on the 1st of March 1870.
1871 Census
7, Thurloe Street, Rusholme, Salford
Elizabeth Frevillier, 49, married, born Hollins Grenn
Catherine Frevillier, 27, Dressmaker, born London
John F Frevillier, 25, Office Clerk, born Ireland.
William R Frevillier, 23, Estate Agent, born Ireland
Jane Frevillier, 19, born Brighton
Edward Frevillier, 14, born Rusholme
George Frevillier, 10, born Rusholme
Reverted to Out-Pension on the 1st of May 1873, but was re-admitted to Chelsea Royal Hospital on the 1st of December 1873.
At the time of his first being admitted as a Chelsea In-Pensioner on the 1st of March 1870 it was stated that he was 54 years of age, that "his family were provided for", that his character was "good", and that he had been living at No. 7 Chapel Mews, Belgrave Square, London, SW8. When he reverted to Out-Pension his character was described as "Fair".
The records of Applications for Admittance as an In-Pensioner to the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, show that he applied there in October 1869 at the age of 56 years (when his name was shown as William "Ferbillier"), but his application was "Withdrawn" with no reason stated.
Much of what is already known is recorded, except that he had a:
"Wife and 6 children (who are providing for their mother, the eldest son, at 22 years of age, being in the Army (8th Hussars) and that he had served as an Officer's servant and groom when in the Crimea and in which he claimed to have spent two years.
He had also moved his Pension District from Manchester to Dublin.
John Frevillier [probably his son]
A John Frevillier (who was named on enlistment as "Frevalar", but later altered), born in Dublin, enlisted at Birmingham on the 15th of December 1866 as No. 1030 in the 8th Hussars. Aged 21 at this time, his trade was that of a clerk.
He was discharged "by purchase" from Dundalk, Ireland, by a payment of £30 on the 13th of October 1869. He had served 2 years 300 days, his conduct and character were "good", but he was not in possession of any Good Conduct badges. Served in "C" squadron. To live in Manchester after discharge.
William Frivellier [sic], aged 61 years [sic], March Quarter 1875, Chelsea.
Elizabeth Frevillier, aged 76 years, June Quarter 1897, Chorlton.
A memorial stone in St. James's churchyard, Birch-in-Rusholme, Manchester, records his death on the 11th of February 1875, aged 60 years, and refers to his interment in Brompton Cemtery, London.
The inscription is very worn, but has been deciphered by rubbing. This reads:
"Sacred to the memory of William Rowland Frevillier, of Rusholme, Manchester, who departed this life, February 11th 1875, aged 60 years."
Also recorded are his wife, Elizabeth, who died on the 27th of August 1897, aged 76 years, a daughter, Lizabeth, who died on the 16th of March 1866, aged 8 years, and another daughter, also Elizabeth, who died on the 25th of June 1916. The rest is illegible.
There is a photograph of this stone in the 8th Hussar file.
Further information about the memorial came from the incumbent of the church:
"This is situated near the east end of the church and appears to be a family grave and memorial. The stone is very much weathered, but by dint of "rubbing" has been partly deciphered:
'O rest in the Lord.'
Sacred to the memory of William R. Frevillier. 'One of the "Noble Six Hundred', who died February 11th 1875, aged 60 years.
Interred in Brompton Cemetery, London.
Also of Elizabeth, his wife, who died April 27th [not August, as first made out] 1897, aged 76 years.
Also of Alice [not Lizabeth] Frevillier, who died March 16th 1866, aged 9 [not 8] years.
Also of Elizabeth Frevillier, who died June 24th 1889 [not June 25th 1918] aged 20 years.
Also of Edward Frevillier, who died January 31st 1917, in his 61st year.
Also of Henry Frevillier, who died December 30th ---- in his --st year, and of Margaret Jane Frevillier, died December 31st 1935.
Also of George Herbert Frevillier, who died August 25th 1900, aged 29 years.
The later inscriptions are on the reverse side of the stone."
There is a photograph in the 8th Hussar file of the family gravestone in St. James's churchyard, Rusholme, Manchester. This shows the rear of the stone.
The Brompton Cemetery records show that he was buried in Grave No. 787. Compartment Y. on the 16th of February 1875. A stone was erected, but had until very recently (1979) partly sunk below the turf.
Additional marriage and death registrations, and Census information for 1851, 1861, and 1871 kindly provided by Chris Poole.