Born at Leeds, Yorkshire. His age claimed at the time of TJ's enlistment implies he was born c.1831, but a newspaper article at the time of his death 1868 (below), states 1827 (i.e. he would have been c. 21 when he entered the army).
Enlisted at Nottingham on the 14th of August 1849.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Smith.
Features: Fair complexion. Hazel eyes. Lt. brown hair.
He is shown on a nominal roll of officers and men of the regiment at the Cavalry Depot, Scutari, made out on the 9th of November 1855, as being On Duty there from the 4th of November.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
The muster rolls for the July-September 1858 period show him as "On Detachment at Sholapoore's during the whole of the period.
In action against the rebels at Zeerapore on the 29th of February 1859 and at Baroda on the 1st of January 1859.
Re-engaged at Secunderbad, India, for a further 12 years service on the 16th of November 1861.
Promoted to Farrier (as Sergeant) on the 1st of April 1862.
Discharged, "invalided," from Aldershot on the 9th of July 1867, as
"Unfit for further service. Has Phthisis Pulmonary, Both lungs are now extensively diseased, the left one particularly. Occurred in the service, the result of a cold. Cannot contribute much towards his earning a livelihood."
Served 17 years 329 days,
In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years
In India: 7 years 1 month.
Aged 35 years 2 months on discharge.
Conduct: "very good."
In possession of three Good Conduct badges.
Seven times entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book. Never tried by Court-martial.
To live at Old Alley Gate, Ripon.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Mutiny medal without clasp.
Died in the Leeds Pension District on the 26th of April 1868. His death, aged 48 years, is registered in the GRO records for Ripon, Yorkshire, during the April-June Quarter of 1868.
Death registered
Thomas Jackson, aged 40 years, June Quarter 1868, Ripon.
Newspaper cuttings about JT's death and observations on his DOB kindly provided by Chris Poole.