Born at Ham, near Richmond, Surrey.
Enlisted into the 3rd Light Dragoons at Westminster on the 23rd of July 1838. No Regimental number was allocated.
Age: 23.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Servant.
Appearance: Pale complexion. Grey eyes. Brown hair.
Having served as a Private in the 3rd Light Dragoons for two years, he transferred to the 4th Light Dragoons on the 15th of July 1840, "at his own request".
From Private to Trumpeter: 15th of July 1840.
On its return from India, he joined the Regiment from the Maidstone Depot on the 31st of March 1842.
Tried by a Regimental Court-martial, reduced to Private, and sentenced to 42 days' imprisonment on the 30th of October 1851. Confined until the 9th of December 1851.
Sent to Scutari on the 27th of October 1854, and invalided to England in March 1855.
Discharged from Dublin on the 26th of November 1860.
"Unfit for further service from rupture and chronic bronchitis attributable to exposure in the Crimea, where he had cholera followed by severe fever and for which he was sent home."
Served 22 years 37 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 11 months.
Conduct: "a good soldier".
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
Once tried by Court-martial.
Aged 45 years 1 month on discharge.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean and Turkish medals.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma and Sebastopol.
Admitted as an In-Pensioner to Chelsea Royal Hospital on the 1st of January 1861.
On entering the Royal Hospital Chelsea as an In-Pensioner on the 1st of January 1861 he was 45 years of age and suffering from "chronic bronchitis and debility"; he had "no wife or family", and possessed certificates of good character sent to him by Colonel Brown and Major George.
He died there on the 12th of June 1861.
He was buried in Brompton Cemetery, London. It is a common grave, and no head-stone was erected.
PB, Jan 2014: Wendy Leahy states:
Moved to Service troops: 13th November 1855.
Medical reason for discharge:
"Ruptured and disability the result of service in Crimea. Rupture, chronic bronchitis and debility, may be the result of exposure in the Crimea when he had cholera followed by severe fever. Upon examination at Kilmainham: In a bad state of health."
Private for 20 years 4 months
Disallowed: 2 months
Total service: 22 years 2 months
Pension claim: 10d
Crimea and Turkey: 11 months
TNA records:
WO/12/650
WO/12/652
WO/12/659-660
WO/12/665
WO/118/32
[Source: http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/4ths/dragoons/sexton1.html (accessed 6.1.2014).]