Born in Liverpool.
Enlisted at Liverpool on the 10th of June 1846.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Labourer.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Grey eyes. Brown hair.
1851 Census
Pockthorpe Cavalry Barracks, Norwich
John McNulty, soldier, unmarried, 22 , Private, born Liverpool
From Private to Corporal 10th of May 1854.
Confined, 21—23 of July, tried by a Regimental Court-martial and reduced to Private on the 24th of July 1854:
"In confinement," 6—10 of November 1854.
The offence for which he was tried by a Regimental Court-martial on the 24th of July 1854 and reduced to Private was for "Being drunk at stables."
Although his documents only show him as being twice tried by Court-martial, there was a third occasion: he was tried on the 9th of November 1855 for "being drunk on duty" and given 50 lashes.
From Private to Corporal: 15th of September 1857.
Corporal to Sergeant: 29th of March 1859.
1861 Census
Fulwood Barracks Lancashire
J. McNulty, Married, 34, Sergt 11th Hussars, born Liverpool
M.A McNulty, wife, 30, born Ireland
A McNulty, daughter, 1, born Preston Lancs
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 7th of December 1861:
"Under arrest", 17th—18th of December, tried by a Regimental Court-martial and reduced to Private on the 19th of December 1863.
Discharged from Colchester on the 21st of February 1871, as "Free, at own request after 24 years service."
In Bulgaria and the Crimea, 1 year 1 month
In India: 4 years 4 months.
Conduct: "very good". In possession of five Good Conduct badges.
Eight times entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Twice tried by Court-martial
To live in Hounslow after discharge.
Awarded a pension of 1/1d. per day.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava (sent on an OC's certificate dated the 26th of March 1858), Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with three clasps, and the Turkish Medal. They make no mention of the late award of the Balaclava clasp.
He is not shown as being a member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in either 1877 or 1879.
He was still in the West London Pension District in 1875.
Of his known sons, Edwin and John both entered the Royal Military Asylum at Chelsea, the former on the 8th of July 1875 at the age of 10 years and 2 months and the latter on the 31st of January 1872 at the age of 9 years 11 months. Edwin was apprenticed to W. Aldridge, Bootmaker, of 1, Waterloo Terrace, Turnham Green, London, on the 4th of September 1879. His father was then shown as "Still alive", but his mother, Ann, as "Dead."
[PB: John McNulty [son]] enlisted into the 11th Hussars as No 1672 at Canterbury on the 3rd of March 1876 at 14 years of age. He attained the age of 15 years and on to "Man's Pay" on the 4th of March 1877. (Then named as "McNoulty.) John McNulty [father] was shown at this time as "Still alive," but his wife, Ann, as "Dead."
He deserted while "on furlo" (he was attached to the Royal Dragoons at the time) effective from the 23rd of June 1879 and rejoined the regiment on the 10th of September 1882. He was confined 10th — 28th September, and on being tried by a Regimental Court-martial was imprisoned from the 29/30th of September.
Discharged, "invalided", from Leeds on the 3rd of July 1883 in consequence of a "Fracture — from an accident on the railway during the time of his desertion".
Born at Rugeley, Staffordshire, 5' 6" in height, with a fresh complexion. grey eyes and brown hair, he was "under age" for 3 and 3/12 years and, forfeiting 1 year and 5/12 months by his desertion, had only 4 months' service "to count". Awarded a pension of 5d. per day, he was to live at No 2 Dee Court, Bedford Street, off Belgrave Gardens, Leicester.
Additional Census information for 1851 and 1861 kindly provided by Chris Poole.