LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive
Added 14.9.11. Minor edits 30.5.14.
934, Private Thomas MAGEE — 17th Lancers
Birth & early life
Born in the parish of St. Catherine's, Dublin, c.1827.
Enlistment
Enlisted at Dublin on the 14th of January 1848.
Age: 21.
Height:
Trade: Sawyer.
Features: Fair complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.
Service
Wounded in action at Balaclava. Lummis and Wynn state, "Wounded in the left thigh by grape-shot", while the list of those present at the medal presentation on the Horse Guards Parade shows him as being, "Severely wounded in both legs."
Sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854, and later invalided to England aboard the "Neptune." The muster roll states, "Date not notified " and the Sebastopol clasp roll states, "Invalided to England on the 26th of 0ctober 1854", the actual date being the 16th of December 1854.
He is shown on the Cavalry Depot roll at Brighton from the 10th of March 1855.
From Private to Corporal, 12th of 0ctober 1855.
Rejoined the regiment at Cahir from the Brighton Depot on the 1st of June 1856.
Discharge & pension
Discharged from Dublin on the 27th of November 1856:
"Reduction of the Army and being totally unfit for further service. This man is now permanently incapacitated for the duties of a dragoon from Hydrocle produced by his horse falling on him at watering parade. He was sent home from the Crimea on account of a wound received at Balaclava, but this wound is long since well."
Aged 29 years 9 months on discharge.
Served 8 years 319 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 9 months.
Conduct: "a good soldier." Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
It seems that he tried to play on his wound in order to secure a further pension increase as he was twice seen by doctors (in 1857 and 1860) and on both occasions the report was, "Flesh wound, barely perceptible."
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
He was among the wounded soldiers seen by Queen Victoria on her visit to Brompton Barracks, Chatham, on the 3rd of March 1855.
(Click on image to enlarge)
He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on the Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855.
Sir John Tenniel: The distribution of Crimean Medals on Horse Guards Parade, 18th of May 1855.
His name appears on the Nominal Return of those present now in the PRO, also on a similar roll which appeared in the United Services Magazine for June of 1855 and on that which appeared in the Illustrated London News of the 26th of May 1855.
Commemorations
Life after service
Death & burial
