Born in Marylebone, London, and christened in All Saints Church on the 30th of May 1829, the son of Thomas and Jane Pantry.
[In March 2014, Michael Hargreave Mawson [MHM] contacted the EJBA with some very interesting additional information about James Pantry which the editors have integrated into this entry:
Born: St. Marylebone, London, 21st December, 1828, the son of Charles and Jane Pantry of 11 Foley Street.
Baptised: All Souls, Marylebone, 27th May, 1829.
Brought before Bow Street Magistrates on 23rd July, 1845:
BOW-STREET — Robbery and Embezzlement by a SERVANT.
Yesterday, James Pantry, a waiter in the service of Mr. Potter, coffee-house keeper, of Long-acre, was brought before Mr. Jardine, charged with embezzling several sums of money received on account of his master; also, with stealing a sovereign from a customer.
Mr. Potter stated that the prisoner had been in his service about a month, and having sent him out on business about the 1st of May, he did not return; when, upon inquiry, it was discovered that he had taken with him the different reckonings that he had received from the customers during the day.
Shortly after, he received a letter from him, in which he stated that he had fallen into bad company, by whom he was induced to spend the money at the same time expressing great contrition, and a hope that he might be reinstated in his situation as he had neither father nor mother to which witness acceded, and the prisoner conducted business in a very proper manner until he was given a sovereign by a Mr. Bromley, a customer, to get changed, with which he absconded, taking all his clothes with him. The prisoner made no defence, and he was committed on the charge of robbery.
Morning Post, 24th July, 1845 (p.7).
Convicted of Larceny apparently aged 17 [actually 16] at the County adjourned Sessions at Clerkenwell, Middlesex, 29th July, 1845, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.
Convicted again of Larceny, still apparently aged 17 [16], at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) on 24th November, 1845, and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.
For a brother, 1214 Charles Thomas Pantry, who enlisted earlier in the same year, see Further information, below.
Enlisted at London on the 3rd of October 1846.
Age: 17 years 10 months.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Painter.
Married Elizabeth, the 24-year-old daughter of Thomas Bell, a Cordwainer, on 15th January, 1849, at the Parish Church in Twickenham, falsely giving his age as 21 [actually 20], and his occupation as Painter. [MHM]
In confinement, 27th March — 1st of April 1849, and sentenced by a Regimental Court-martial on the 2nd of April 1849 (on an unspecified charge) to imprisonment in Fort Clarence Military Prison until the 9th of July 1849.
Absent from the 5th of December 1849, and classed a "Deserter" from the 24th.
At the time of his desertion he was described as being of a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and dark brown hair, and his next-of-kin as "Brother, 1214 Charles Thomas Pantry (Serving with the Regiment)." (see below).
He rejoined the regiment on the 5th of July 1851.
Extracts from the General Court-martial proceedings, held at Nottingham on the 23rd of July 1851.
Charges
One — For having deserted from the 11th P.O.A. Hussars at Hounslow on or about Watch-setting on the 4th of December 1849 and not having returned until having been brought back under escort to Nottingham Barracks on or about half past five o'clock on the evening of the 5th of July 1851.
Two — For having on or about the time of his desertion as stated in the First charge lost by neglect, design, or made away with the following articles of his regimental clothing and necessaries... One sundry jacket, one pair of crimson overalls, one stock and cloth, one pair of braces, one pair of boots and spurs. one pair of socks, one pair of gloves, two sponges, one knife and fork, one horse-picker, one shirt, one pair of drawers, one flannel vest, one corn- bag and one horse-bag.
Three — For having whilst in a state of desertion from the 11th Hussars between the periods specified in the First charge enlisted into the 30th Regiment of Foot, and having subsequently deserted therefrom.
Fourth — For having whilst in a state of desertion from the 11th Hussars between the period specified in the first Charge and after having enlisted into the 30th Regiment of Foot and subsequently deserted therefrom re-enlisted into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in which latter-named Corps he was apprehended.
Opinion
The Court having maturely weighed and considered the evidence in support of the prosecution, together with what the prisoner has urged in his defence, is of the opinion that with regard to the First charge that he the prisoner is Guilty, in regard to the Second charge that he the prisoner is Guilty, in regard to the Third charge that he the prisoner is Guilty and in regard to the Fourth Charge that he the prisoner is Guilty.
Verdict
The Court having found the prisoner Guilty of the whole of the Charges preferred against him which were in breach of the Articles of War and taking in consideration his former convictions and general bad character do now sentence him the prisoner, to undergo imprisonment with hard labour for a period of one year and 168 days, to be placed under stoppages in conformity with the 33rd Clause of the Mutiny Act, until the articles of regimental clothing and necessaries as specified in the Second charge are made good, and further to be marked with the letter "D" in conformity of the 33rd Clause of the Mutiny Act.
Also to lose all of his previous service by this conviction. The Judge Advocate-General later submitted to Her Majesty to approve and confirm the findings and sentences:
"Lt. General The Earl of Cathcart, K.C.B.
Horse Guards,
3rd September 1851.
My Lord — The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief having had the honour to lay before Her Majesty the proceedings and findings of the General Court-martial held at the Barracks, Nottingham, on the 23rd of July 1851, for the trial of 1303 Private James Pantry of the 11th Hussars who was arraigned upon the under mentioned charges (as previously specified).
I have the honour to submit to Your Lordship that her Majesty was pleased to approve and confirm the findings of the Court.
(Signed) Fitzroy Somerset."
He served out his sentence at Weedon Military Prison from the 23rd of July 1851 to the 6th of December 1852.
His forfeited previous service was restored, in common with a number of others) by a Letter of Authority from the Horse Guards, dated 22nd of March 1856.
From Private to Corporal: 1st of May 1855.
Confined, 7th-15th of March. Tried by a Regtl Court-martial for "being drunk under arms", and reduced to Private on the 15th of March 1856.
Transferred to the 17th Lancers at Hounslow on the 1st of September 1857. Regimental No. 151.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
From Private to Corporal: 1st of August 1858.
The musters for July-September of 1858 show him as being "On Field Service" during the whole of this period, Served in the field at Rajghur with Captain William Gordon.
Died at Secunderbad, India, on the 6th of July 1862.
The India Office records show him as dying of "Hepatitis" at Secunderbad on the 6th of July 1862, aged 31 years. He was buried on the same day by the Revd. Alcock, A.M. in St. Mary's Burying Ground.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
"Balaclava" clasp sent on "O/C's certificate, dated the [illegible] of September 1857."
Mutiny medal without clasp.
Further medal information archived.
A brother, 1214 Charles Thomas Pantry, a servant, was born in the parish of St. James, Middlesex.
He enlisted at London on the 10th of March 1846 at the age of 18 years and 2 months and was discharged to Out Pension from Dublin on the 6th of November 1852 with an "Indifferent" character, having served 7 years and 28 days. The reason for his discharge was "Affected by Scrofula — of long standing. Has been in Hospital for the past three months".
He later served in the Kent Militia Artillery as a Sergeant from the 1st of March 1854 to the 28th of February 1859.
1881 Census
3i [sic?] Clarendon Place, Hougham, Kent.
The 1881 Census shows him as aged 54, a Pensioner Staff Sergeant (Army), born in London, living with his wife, Sarah, 54, born at Dover, Kent, and a grandson, aged 11.