Born at Datchet, near Windsor.
Enlisted into the 14th Light Dragoons at Queen's Square, London, on the 21st of September 1842. No regimental number was allocated as he did not join the regiment from the Depot.
Age: 19 years 3 months.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Groom.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Brown hair.
Transferred to the 4th Light Dragoons on the 1st of April 1845.
Sent to the General Depot at Scutari on the 26th of September 1854 and rejoined the regiment on the 20th of October 1854.
At Scutari again from the 4th of April — 11th of May 1855.
Invalided to England on the 30th of September 1855.
From Private to Corporal: 3rd of May 1856.
Corporal to Sergeant: 1st of October 1857.
Discharged from Edinburgh on the 26th of February 1867.
"Free, to pension after 24 years' service."
Served 24 years 146 days. In Turkey and the Crimea from the 17th of July 1854 to September of 1855.
Aged 44 years 1 month on discharge.
Twice entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book. Never tried by Court-martial.
Conduct,, "a good soldier".
In possession of three Good Conduct badges when promoted to Sergeant and would now have had five.
To reside, C/o. Mr. McVeagh, Warder, The Tower of London.
This was almost certainly 906 John McVeagh, but there is no trace of Stokes on the Tower of London musters.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean, Turkish and Long Service medals.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 21st of January 1864, with a gratuity of £5.
Awarded a pension of 1/10d. per day.
He was living in the London Pension District in 1867.