Born c.1822.
According to the 1851 Census Returns for Pockthorpe Barracks at Norwich he was born on the "Isle of France (a British Subject)". This is now known as Mauritius.
His father, Edward Latter, was serving as a Sergeant in the 82nd Foot in Mauritius at the time of his son's birth. The 82nd Foot had served there from 1819 to 1830.
He entered theRoyal Military Asylum (also known as The Duke of York's School) at Chelsea on the 25th of July 1827 at the age of 5 years and 4 months. His father was shown as "Still alive" at this time, but his mother, Anekia [sic?], as "Dead".
Latter's father was born in the parish of St. Andrew's, Middlesex, and had enlisted for "unlimited service" on the 10th of December 1803 at the age of 16 years. He was 5' 9" in height, with a dark complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair and his trade was that of a tailor.
No dates of his actual promotions are shown but he was a Private for 6 years 70 days, Corporal for 3 years 60 days, and a Sergeant for 11 years 17 days. He was discharged from Ipswich on the 7th of August 1826:
"In consequence of weakness in lower limbs from an injury received in Spain in 1813. Sustained a fractured skull when on duty in 1818. Now has impaired vision of left eye — result of service."
Conduct: "Good". He was awarded a pension of 1/11d. per day. Service to count — from the 10th of December 1805 — 10th of October 1826. Served 20 years 305 days. In the East Indies from the 23rd of June 1819 to the 24th of February 1826. — Present at the battle of Walcheren. battles of Vittoria, 25-30 of July 1813, Pyrenees, 13th of August 1813 and the battles of Nivelle and Orthes.
Although no one of this name can be found, a man named as Sergeant Edward "Leather" is shown in Foster's Peninsula Roll as being awarded the clasps for Roleia, Vittoria, Corruna, Vimeria, Pyrenees, Nivelle and Orthes on the M.G.S. medal.
His father was alive until at least June of 1853, as he transferred to the 2nd East London Pension District during that month.
Enlisted at Coventry into "Boys Service" from the Royal Military Asylum on the 26th of March 1836.
Age: 14.
Height: 5' 4".
Trade: None.
Attained the age of 15 years and on to "Man's pay" on the 1st of April 1838, and "To go to the Band".
The Balaclava period muster roll shows him as "Sick on board ship" for the October of 1854 muster (being sent there on the 29th of October) and "Sick at Scutari" for November-December of that same year.
Invalided from Scutari to England on the 23rd of February, but died "at sea" on the 12th of March 1855.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with claSebastopol.
Entry in the "Remarks" column by the side of Edward Latter's name in the Royal Military Asylum musters states, "Died, en route from the Crimea". No date is recorded.
He is shown in the Chatham Invalid Depot muster rolls as having "Died at Sea aboard the "Cornwall", on the 12th of March 1855. He left no will, his credits being £5/3/1d.