References to "Chilockford" and "Ockford" in Census reports (see below) suggest he was born in what is now generally called Child Okeford (about 6 miles north-west of Blandford Forum), Dorset, probably about 1816. But in 2012 a descendant said he was born in Tarrant Keyneston (about 4 miles south-east of Blandford) on the 3rd of October 1813.
1841 Census
Charles Crane, who would have been about 25 years old in 1841, was in India when this Census was taken, so naturally there is no direct information about him here. However, an Emanuel Crane, Agricultural Labourer, and a Theodora Crane, both 30 (no relationship shown, but possibly brother and sister), were living in "The Barracks", Child Okeford. They may have been related to Charles Crane - perhaps she was his elder sister - since he called his first-born daughter Theodora, a relatively uncommon name even at this time (see below).
A short way along the street, two other families named Crane could also possibly be relatives. His parents may have been the Agricultural Labourer Samuel Crane, 60, and Betty Crane, 67. Charles called his first-born son Samuel.
Also living nearby are a John and Mary Crane, and their young children (including a 3-year-old Charles and 5-year-old Emanuel). John, aged 30, (Theodora's twin?) is also listed as an Agricultural Labourer. [PB]
PB: It is interesting to notice that Charles Crane enlisted in the 4th Light Dragoons the year after farm labourers in nearby Tolpuddle (the "Tolpuddle Martyrs") were arrested, found guilty and transported to Australia for joining together in a "Friendly Society". They had sworn an (illegal) oath that they would refuse to work for less than 10 shillings a week - at a time when the absence of alternative local employment (Dorset was far from major cities or centres of industrial production) meant that wages in agriculture had descended to little more than six shillings a week.
Enlisted at Salisbury on the 20th of September 1835.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 9".
Trade: Labourer.
Appearance: Fair complexion. Hazel eyes. Sandy hair.
Returned from India aboard the "Repulse" on the 27th of March 1842, having left Bombay on the 28th of December 1841.
Marriage registered
Charles Crane married Susan Ashdown [sic: but this name is from GRO records and not the actual marriage certificate], June Quarter 1842, Hollingbourne.
At Varna on the 20th of September, sent to Scutari on the 26th of October, rejoined on the 24th of November but sent back to Scutari on the 27th of December 1854.
Transferred to the 5th Lancers on the 1st of April 1858. Regimental No. 290.
Discharged from Newbridge on the 29th of November 1859: "Own request, to pension after 24 years service".
Served 24 years 292 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months.
India: 2 years 5 months.
Aged 43 years on discharge.
Conduct and character: "very good". In possession of five Good Conduct badges.
Never entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Never tried by Court-martial. Granted a pension of 1/1d. per day.
The muster roll for the period shows him as "On service in Scinde". From this he could well have been entitled to the medal for Ghuznee.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with four clasps (the medal roll does not credit him with Alma), the Turkish Medal and the Long Service & Good Conduct medal.
Was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 9th of July 1855, with a gratuity of £5. Remained a civilian groom to Captain Robert Portal, 5th Lancers, then at Newbridge.
Entitled to the medal for Ghuznee.
His name was included in the 1877 list of members of the Balaclava Commemoration Society, but not in the 1879 revised list.
1861 Census
East Cavalry Barracks, Aldershot.
Charles Crane's name is immediately below those of Lieut-Col [not Captain] Robert Portal, 41, 5th Lancers, and his wife, Lady Eliza Portal, 34.
Charles Crane, Groom, 45, born Chilockford, Dorsetshire.
S[usan]. Crane, wife, Laundress, 41 [sic], born Hollingband [? - presumably Hollingbourne], Kent.
Five children shown [initials only given]:
S[amuel]. Crane, Unmarried, 17, Son of Groom, born Ipswich, Suffolk.
H[enry]. Crane, Unmarried, 11, Son of Groom, Scholar, born Dublin, Ireland.
T. Crane [sic? Presumably Theodora = Dora], Unmarried, 9, Daughter of Groom, Scholar, born Ipswich, Suffolk.
C. Crane, Unmarried, Son of Groom, 7, born Dorset.
F[rancis]. Crane [sic?], Unmarried, Son of Groom, 2, Infant, born Newbridge, Ireland. [CP/PB]
In 1868 Charles Crane was working with his son Samuel as a Coachman.
1871 Census
Windmill Tap [next to the Windmill Hotel], Farnham Royal. [Actually in Salt Hill, Slough, near Salt Hill Park.]
Charles Crane, 54 [sic], Licensed Victualler, born Dorset, "Ockford".
Susan Crane, 54 [sic], born Hollingbourne.
Three children are shown:
Francis, 12, Scholar, born Ireland.
Dora, 18, born Suffolk, Ipswich.
Henry 21, Servant, born Ireland, Dublin. [CP]
Death Registered
Charles Crane, aged 57, December Quarter 1872, Eton.
1881 Census
4, Oxton Road, Birkenhead.
Susan Evans, 66, widow, mother-in-law, born Hollingbourne.
One child shown: her son Francis Crane, 21, Railway Clerk, born Ireland. [CP]
CP: By 1881 the family appear to have moved north to the Birkenhead area, where Susan has remarried and is widowed again.
Marriages registered
Theodora Crane married Andrew Thompson, December Quarter 1876, Birkenhead. [CP]
Henry Crane married Ruth Waters, September Quarter 1879, Swansea. [CP]
1881 Census (for daughter Theodora / Dora)
Feniscowles, Livesey, Blackburn, Lancs.
Andrew Thompson, 33, Gardener, and Theodora, 28, born Ipswich.
Three children shown: James 3, Emily 2, and Thomas 8 months. [CP]
1881 Census (for son Henry)
School House, Swansea.
Henry Crane, 31, Butler and Domestic Servant, born Ireland.
Ruth Crane, 23, born Glamorgan.
One child shown: Henry 7 months.
With many thanks to a descendant of Charles Crane who alerted the EJBA to new and corrected "Life after service" information.
Registration of death and marriages, and Census information for 1861, 1871 & 1881, kindly provided by Chris Poole.