Born at Arthurschool, near Eyrecourt, Ireland.
Enlisted at Dublin on the 6th of February 1847.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Labourer.
Tried by a District Court-martial at Chobham on the 4th of August 1853 for "Insolent and insubordinate language". He was sentenced to 84 days' imprisonment with hard labour, of which 24 days were remitted.
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H. T. "Wilson Kennedy" on the 2nd of May 1854.
Sent to Scutari on the 3rd of November 1854 and invalided to England on the 19th of February 1855.
In an annotated copy of "The Light Cavalry Brigade in the Crimea," by Lord George Paget, and which had belonged to 1209 William Bird, was found the following:
"The 8th lost two men besides three wounded by the Lancers. One man by the name of J. Dailey [sic] who led a dozen of his comrades into the Lancer's ranks, 'Come on, boys. Go for them' and soon, poor fellow, was fairly riddled with lances. Myself received a wound in the right arm."
This incident occurred during the return, after passing through the Russian guns, and finding that the Polish Lancers had formed up in their rear.
Although not shown in any casualty lists, 1005 John Daley was almost certainly this man and can therefore be considered as a participant in the Charge.
Discharged, on the "Reduction of the Regiment", from Dundalk on the 6th of April 1857.
Served 9 years 189 days.
Conduct: "Bad."
Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol.