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

Added 14.9.11. Minor edits 31.3.2014.

651, Private James PHILLIPS — 17th Lancers

Birth & early life

Born in the parish of St. Michael's, Bath.

Enlistment

Enlisted at London on the 2nd of June 1840.

Age: 19.

Height: 5' 8".

Trade: Plumber.

Features: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Tried by a District Court-martial at Canterbury on the 12th of April 1852 for "violence to a superior officer," and sentenced to six months imprisonment, with hard labour.

Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned from the 17th of April — 29th of September 1853.

He was batman to Captain Morris when on the Staff as D.Q.A.M.G. during April — June 1854, travelling with him to the Crimea aboard the "Albatross" from the 22nd of April — 9th of June 1854.

Sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854.

He is shown on a nominal roll of officers and men of the regiment at the Cavalry Depot, Scutari, made out on the 9th of November 1855, as being an Officer's Servant there from the 4th of November. As Brevet Major William Morris is also shown on the roll as being on the Staff there from the same date, he must have been still acting as his batman.

Rejoined the regiment on the 1st of April 1856 following attachment to the 12th Lancers with Colonel William Morris.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Dublin on the 12th of January 1857, upon "Reduction of the Army and being totally unfit for service. He suffers greatly from rheumatism. The palpitations of his heart are also becoming more obvious. I cannot assign a cause for this disease. It has not been aggravated by vice or misconduct."

Served 16 years 8 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years.

Conduct: "a good soldier."

In possession of one Good Conduct badge.

Granted a pension of 6d.per day.

Medals & commemorations

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.

Life after service

[RM: No trace on 1881 census.]

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