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

Added 26.11.12. Minor edits 7.4.14.

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

1501, Farrier William KNOWLES — 4th Light Dragoons

Birth & early life

Born at Bakewell, near Derby.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Lichfield on the 26th of July 1851.

Age: 20.

Height: 5' 8".

Trade: Blacksmith.

Dark complexion. Hazel eyes. Dk. brown hair.

Service

Sent to the Cavalry Depot on the 14th of July 1854.

Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 14th of June 1855.

Promoted to Farrier (as Sergeant) on the 4th of February 1860.

Re-engaged for 12 years' further service on the 29th of July 1862.

Shown on the Regimental "Married roll" from the 30th of June 1862. His wife's name was Sarah Knowles. There were no children recorded up to the 31st of March 1874.

Embarked for India aboard the HMT "Serapia" on the 15th of October 1867.

Embarked for England from India on the 23rd of March 1874, having left Rawalpindi for Bombay on the 11th of February 1874.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Netley Hospital on the 12th of January 1875.

"Unfit for further service from ulcers on both legs and being worn out. This man has served nearly 24 years.

In 1865, when on duty on board ship going from Dundalk to Glasgow and whilst looking after the horses of the detachment, he slipped on the wet deck and fractured his right leg at the lower third and ever since that time he has been subject to ulceration at intervals.

Whilst at the camp-of-exercise at Delhi in 1871 his right arm and leg were covered in ulcers which were supposed to be of local origin, i.e. Delhi sores, but the left leg remained sound until April of this year when it too became covered in sores.

He now has thirteen sores on the left — and three on the right leg — all of long standing, but are now almost entirely healed, although liable to break out at any time under undue exertion.

He will be able to contribute towards his livelihood. He also has a large scar on the forehead by a kick from a horse..."

Served 23 years 175 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 10 months

In India: 7 years 2 months.

Conduct: "very good".

In possession of four Good Conduct badges.

Twice entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book. Never tried by Court-martial.

Aged 44 years on discharge.

Awarded a pension of 2/- per day.

Next of kin: Wife, Sarah Knowles.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol.

He was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 20th of November 1869, with a gratuity of £10.

Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, and the L.S. & G.C medal.

Not recorded by Lummis and Wynn.

Commemorations

Life after service

He was living in Bolton, Lancashire, in 1876.

1881 Census

The Confectioner's Shop, Manchester Road, Great Lever, Lancashire

The 1881 Census shows him as a Shoeing Smith at a Bleachworks, aged 50, born at Derby, with his wife, Sara, a Confectioner, 56, born at Braden Heath, Shropshire.

Death & burial


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