Born c.1832. At Harlow, Essex, according to the muster rolls, but actually in Eastwood, near Newbury, Berkshire, by his documents.
Enlisted at London on the 7th of May 1854.
Age: 22.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Farrier.
Features: Fair complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.
To the Crimea from Brighton, on the 28th of May and joining the regiment on the 20th of June 1855.
Embarked for India aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
The musters for July-September of 1858 show him as being "On Field Service" from September onwards. Served in the field at Rajghur and Mungrowlee with Captain William Gordon.
Appointed to Farrier (as Sergeant) on the 1st of April 1862.
Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and reduced to Pte, for "drunkenness and absence" on the 5th of November 1862.
Appointed to Farrier-Sergeant on the 16th of July 1864.
In confinement, awaiting trial, from the 25th of February. Tried by a Regimental Court-martial, reduced to Private for "absence" and imprisoned from the 24th of July — 10th of August 1865.
From Private to Shoeing-Smith on 27th of September 1865.
Re-engaged for 12 years' further service at Colchester on the 31st of January 1866.
In confinement, awaiting trial, from the 2nd of February. Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and reduced to Private Imprisoned from the 4th of February — 29th of March 1870.
Discharged from Edinburgh, on the 29th of March 1870, upon:
"Reduction of the Army and unfit for further service. Suffers much from stricture of the uthera and non-retention of urine at times. He is therefore unfit for the duties of a dragoon. He can contribute materially towards earning a livelihood in his trade of farrier. Not aggravated by his vice or misconduct."
Served 15 years 310 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 10 months
In India: 7 years 1 month.
Conduct: "good".
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
Five times entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Three times tried by Court-martial.
Awarded a "deferred" pension of 5d. per day from the 18th of May 1882, when he attained the age of 50 years. (See below regarding his age.)
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Mutiny medal without clasp.
To live at East Woody (Woodhay), near Newbury, Berkshire, on discharge.
Living in the North London Pension District in 1870 but his address at the time of his receiving his pension was No. 32 Crescent Street, Notting Hill, London.
Last pension letter dated the 9th of May 1902.
1881 Census
81, Thorn Street, Parish of St. Mary, Reading, Berkshire.
The 1881 Census shows him aged 45 [sic], a Farrier, born at East Woodhay, Hampshire [sic]. He was unmarried living as a lodger in the household of James Thorpe. [RM]
The death of a man of this name, aged 50, is shown in the GRO records for the Reading registration district in the December quarter of 1882. (This might possibly be Gilbert.)