Born at Coventry.
1841 Census
Village of Lighthorn.
John Sheleswell [sic], 35, Agricultural Labourer.
Sarah, 40.
Seven children shown: William Sheleswell, 7, and 6 siblings.
Enlisted at Warwick on the 29th of December 1854.
Age: 22.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Labourer.
To the Crimea from Cork on the 28th of May and joining the regiment on the 20th of June 1855.
Transferred to the 3rd Dragoon Guards on the 24th of February 1857. Regimental. No. 244.
In a Military Prison, 1st — 30th of July, and placed in Provost charge, 31st of July — 3rd of August, when he was released in order to embark for India aboard the "Forerunner" on the 4th of August.
Invalided to England on the 30th of January and at the Netley Hospital from the 10th of June 1865.
In confinement: 3rd — 17th of July 1866.
Joined the Depot at Canterbury from Netley on the 20th of June 1866.
Re-engaged for 12 years' further service on the 22nd of July 1866.
Embarked for India on the 9th of March 1868.
Invalided to England on the 30th of January 1869 aboard the "Gosforth"
Discharged from Canterbury on the 22nd of March 1870.
Awarded a pension of 6d. per day for three years.
Living in Coventry in 1871.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
From the Returned Medal book: "Forfeited his Turkish Crimean medal and this was returned to the Mint". No date, or reason for this shown.
1871 Census
73, Lighthorn [sp? where?]
William Shelswell, 37 Labourer, son-in-law, born Lighthorn.
1881 Census
Ecclesford, Yorkshire. [Rest of address?]
The 1881 Census shows him as a Labourer, aged 47, born at Lighthorne, Warwickshire, with his wife, Hannah, 37, also born at Lighthorne.
Also one son, John, 18, a Coal Miner.
[RM: He does not appear in the 1901 Census, so it is likely that he was dead by then.]