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

Added 26.11.12. Minor edits 2.4.14.

IN PROGRESS- NOT PUBLISHED YET

1352 Patrick RIORDAN — 4th Light Dragoons

Birth & early life

Born in the parish of St. Mary's, Dublin.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Dublin on the 18th of February 1848.

Age: 18 years 11 months.

Height: 5' 7".

Trade: Boot-maker.

Sallow complexion. Hazel eyes. Black hair.

Service

From Private to Corporal: 27th of December 1853.

Tried by a Regimental Court-martial at Exeter for "having, on or about the 1st of July 1854, been drunk on parade in marching order," and reduced to Pte.

Tried by a District Court-martial "for having deserted from the 4th Light Dragoons on or about the 6th of September 1856 and not having returned until brought back by escort on or about the 9th of October 1857," and also "for making away with, or losing, his articles of Regimental necessaries." Awarded 56 days imprisonment with hard labour, to be marked with the letter "D" and placed under stoppage of pay. He also lost all his previous service of 9 years 194 days by this conviction for desertion.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 27th of July 1858.

"Unfit for Her Majesty's service. Has varicose veins of both legs. The disablement may be attributed to pre-disposition."

27 days service only, to count.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months.

Conduct: "indifferent." Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.

Three times tried by Court-martial.

Aged 29 years 4 months on discharge.

Medals & commemorations

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol.

Life after service

Death & burial


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