Birth & early life
Born in London on the 1st of March 1835 and baptised as George Finlay Maule in St. George's, Hanover Square, on the 5th of May 1835, by the Revd. W. Stone.
He was the son of George Maule, a Mason, of Hindon Street, Westminster, and his wife Mary. Four other children were born into the family, two boys and two girls: Jane in 1829, Robert in 1831, William in 1833, and Eliza in 1837.
1841 Census
Hindon Street, St George Hanover Sq. Westminster.
George Maule, 40, Mason.
Mary Maule, 40.
James Maule, 15.
Jane Maule, 12.
Robert Maule, 10.
William Maule, 8.
George Maule, 5.
Elizabeth Maule, 3.
Mary Maule, 1.
Service
At Scutari, 4th of April — 28th of May 1855.
He is shown on a nominal roll made out on the 9th of November 1855 at the Cavalry Depot, Scutari, as having been "On Duty" there from the 30th of August.
Deserted on the 7th of April and rejoined the regiment on the 12th of June 1857.
Tried by a District Court-martial at Hounslow on the 7th of April 1857 for "Theft", but found "Not Guilty".
Transferred to the 8th Hussars at Hounslow on the 13th of September 1857. Regimental No. 99.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
Confined on the 20th of May for "Striking a superior officer, Corporal Hoult". Sentenced to 50 lashes and released on the 21st of May 1858.
Returned to England aboard the "St. Lawrence" [PB: date?].
1861 Census
13, Grey Coat, Westminster.
James Dickinson, 49, Mop Maker, born Westminster.
Eliza Dickinson, 42, Laundress, born Westminster.
John Dickinson, 24, Mop Maker, born Westminster.
Harriet Dickinson [future wife], 13, Scholar, born Westminster.
From Private to Corporal: 25th of June 1864.
Discharge & pension
Discharged, "time expired", from Aldershot on the 8th of February 1866.
Served 12 years 55 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months
In India: 4 years 5 months.
Conduct: "good". In possession of one Good Conduct badge.
Life after service
Birth registered
Joseph James Dickinson [future step-son], March Quarter 1867, Westminster.
He married, as "George Finlay Maule", Harriet Matilda Dickenson [Dickinson?] at St. Martin's in the Fields, London, on the 27th of June 1869. They were both shown as "of full age", he as a "Packer" and she as a "Spinster" [sic].
Marriage registered.
George Finlay Maule to Harriet Matilda Dickinson, June Quarter 1869, Strand.
He was then living in Bear Street and she in Castle Street. His father is shown as George Maule, a Mason, and hers as James Dickenson, a Servant.
1871 Census
13, Grey Coat Place, Westminster.
George F Maule, 36, Packer at India Stores, born Pimlico.
Harriet Maule, 23, born Westminster.
Emily Maule, 1, born Westminster.
[Next door to above.]
James Dickinson, 63, Mop Maker, born Westminster.
Elizabeth Dickinson, 57, Laundress, born Westminster.
Joseph J Dickinson, 4, Grandson, born Westminster.
The India Store Department, Belvedere Road, Lambeth, 1868. Contemporary engraving, unknown source.
Belvedere Road runs north between Westminster Bridge Road and Waterloo Bridge Road, about 100 yards from the Thames. It now passes the old County Hall, Jubilee Gardens and the Royal Festival Hall.
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1881 Census
14 Grey Coat Place, Westminster.
George F Maule, 45, Labourer, India Stores — Lambeth, born Westminster.
Harriet M Maule, 33, Laundress, born Westminster.
Emily C Maule, 11, Scholar, born Westminster.
George J Maule, 9, Scholar, born Westminster.
Louisa Maule, 4, Scholar, born Westminster.
Joseph Dickinson, Stepson, 14, Labourer Milk Carrier, born Westminster.
1881 Census
The 1881 Census Return shows him as George F. Maule, then living at 14, Bond Court, Westminster, London, with his wife, Harriet M., and three children, Emily C., George J. and Louisa.
A stepson, Joseph Dickenson, aged 14, a Labourer and Milk Carrier, was also shown.
[PB: I originally asked whose son was he, since Harriett was described as a spinster on marriage. CP has now largely answered this question, see above. Harriett had Joseph before she married GM. Joseph is present as a grandson to her parents (living next door) in 1871 and as a stepson in 1881. CP notes that Joseph's birth certificate may clarify things.]
George Maule was aged 45 at this time and a Labourer at the India Stores, Lambeth, his wife was 33 and a Laundress, and the three children, aged 11, 9 and 4 years, as being Scholars. All were stated to have been born in Westminster.
Death & burial
Death registered
George Maule, aged 49 years, December Quarter 1884, St Geo H Sq.
George Maule died on the 19th of October 1884 at 12, Bond Court, Greycoat Place, Westminster, London, of "Cancer of the liver, 6 months", aged 49 years. His occupation was then shown as being that of a "Packer" and his widow, Harriet (who had to make her mark) was present at, and the informant of, his death.
(There is a copy of his death certificate in the "Certificates" file.)
Royal Victoria Hall and street market, the corner of Waterloo Bridge Road and the New Cut [date?]
[PB, September 2018: In the weeks prior to his death, public attention was drawn to GM's plight. After his death, the Balaclava Commemoration Society organised a "Grand Military Concert" at the Royal Victoria Hall, Waterloo Bridge Road, to raise money for his widow and children. [Source: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol6/pp407-425. This gives a very vivid impression of the life in this area.]]
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Dundee Evening Telegraph, Thursday 25 September:
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A BALAKLAVA VETERAN IN WANT.
The survivors the famous Six Hundred who "rode into the valley of death" are steadily diminishing in number. Some, it is to be feared, are sadly neglected by an ungrateful country. For example, it has been found necessary to make an appeal on behalf Corporal George Maule, who is sick and in need at Rochester Row, Westminster, and who went through both the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, Sunday 26 October 1884:
ENGLAND AND HER HEROES.
The gradually thinning band of survivors of the "noble six hundred" last evening celebrated the anniversary of the brilliant charge of Balaclava. In connection with the event two pathetic incidents have occurred during the week. At Brentford one of the heroes, who had made the mistake of commuting his pension, and so had sunk to the stone-yard of the workhouse, pleaded for a little money to "enable him to make a presentable appearance at the dinner." [PB: Who was this — Benjamin Soley?]
And on Wednesday Corporal George Maule, late of the 11th and 8th Hussars, who fought in the Indian Mutiny as well the Crimea was buried. He was one of a glorious band, and mention of the fact that he leaves a widow and four children penniless, should surely suffice to call forth a little aid from the public to supplement Mrs. Maule's earnings as a washerwoman.
A military concert will be given on behalf of the hero's family at the Royal Victoria Hall on Wednesday next; and we re asked to announce that subscriptions will be gladly received by Mrs. Henderson, 5, Porteus-road, Paddington, W.; or by W. C. Whiteford, 117, Albany-street, Regent's-park.
"Grand Military Concert" at the Royal Victoria Hall, Waterloo Bridge Road, organised by the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1884 to raise money for George Maule's widow and children. Newspaper cutting, unknown source.
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No information about George Maule's burial.
References & acknowledgements
Marriage, birth and death registrations, Census information for 1841, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901, and the advert for the "Grand Military Concert", kindly provided by Chris Poole.
