Birth & early life
St Catherine's House Army Chaplain's Baptismal Registers show that John Reilly was born on the 4th of January 1822 (most probably in Ireland) and baptised at Maidstone on the 12th of February 1822, the son of Joseph Reilly, a Private in the 8th Hussars, and his wife Jane. The ceremony was performed by the Revd. D. Reeves, Curate, and witnessed by the Regimental Adjutant, Wm. Laurence Young. (There is a copy in the "Certificates" file.)
This date adds to a suspicion that his parents' marriage at Corr in Ireland a week earlier, on the 28th of December 1821, was what could be termed "forced". Joseph Reilly had enlisted in Dublin a month earlier, 21st November 1821, and joined the Cavalry Depot at Maidstone on the 25th of January 1822, a few weeks after the birth of his son.
[PB: His father, Joseph Reilly, became a TSM, Riding Master, Cornet, and Captain in the 8th Hussars. For further details on this, see the record of his brother, 815, Joseph Reilly, 17th Lancers), born about 1828.]
Service
[PB: John Reilly transferred from the 15th Hussars to the 4th Light Dragoons (Regimental Sergeant Major), and then to the 8th Hussars, where he became Riding Mater and Lieutenant.]
"On command" to Dublin from the 25th of October to the 13th of December 1842.
Transferred to the 15th Hussars on the 1st of November 1843.
He had gone from Canterbury to Maidstone on the 7th of September 1843. Here again no regimental number was allocated as he did not join the regiment (which was in India at the time) but remained at the Depot.
From Private to Corporal on the 9th of January 1844 and sent "On Command" to Plymouth.
Corporal to Sergeant: 13th of November 1844.
Transferred to the 4th Light Dragoons (as a Sergeant) on the 1st of December 1848.
Promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major on the 21st of July 1854.
To Cornet and Riding Master in the 8th Hussars (in this latter position he had followed his father) on the 3rd of November 1854 (but dating from the 20th of October 1854.)
Sent to the Depot in England on the 25th of December 1854.
In connection with his return to England three letters relating to this are in existence. The first was sent from:
Horse Guards, 23rd December 1854.
Sir, — It being understood that Cornet Reilly, Riding Master of the 8th Hussars was serving with the 4th Light Dragoons in the Army of the East under your Lordship's command I have the honour to request, by the General Commanding-in-Chief's decree, that you will be pleased to give orders with a view to the said Riding Master coming home (should he not have already done so) for the purpose of joining the Cavalry Depot at Newbridge where his services are much required by the recruits.
I have the honour, etc, etc,.
James Simpson, DAG.
Lord Raglan, GCH.
In the Crimea.
The second was also from:
"Horse Guards, 23rd December 1854.
Sir, — I have the honour by direction of the General Commanding-in-Chief to acknowledge your letter of the 19th December, requesting that Cornet Reilly, the Riding Master of the 8th Hussars may be ordered to join the Depot of the Regiment at Newbridge where his services are most urgently required and to acquaint you that Lord Raglan has been communicated with a view to that officer being sent home, it being understood that he was serving in the 4th Light Dragoons with the Army in the East when his promotion took place."
I have the honour, &c. &c.,
James Simpson, DAG.
Officer Commanding the Cavalry Depot, Newbridge.
(Comparing the dates, he had already left the Crimea.)
He did not rejoin the Depot straight away however as a third letter was sent to him from the Horse Guards, dated the 9th of January 1855:
"Immediate.
Sir, — I am directed to signify to you the order of the General Commanding-in-Chief that you are proceed to join the Depot of the 8th Hussars at Newbridge without delay. You are requested to acknowledge the receipt of this letter
I am, &c. &c.,
James Simpson, AAG."
Cornet and Riding Master John Reilly, 8th Hussars, Webb's Hotel, Piccadilly.
At the Newbridge Cavalry Depot from the 8th of February 1855.
To Lieutenant on the 14th of September 1855.
Marriage
He married Margaret Geoghan at Stillorgan Church, Co. Dublin, on the 3rd of September 1856. He was described as a bachelor, 35 years of age, and she as a spinster aged 20. The marriage was according to the rites of the United Church and conducted by the Revd. F.W. Thomas.
His father was shown as Joseph Reilly, a Captain in the 8th Hussars and hers as Robert Geoghan, a merchant.
In 1858, when his wife petitioned for a pension, she was living at Carysfoot Lodge, her family home, and on the form she made out at the time she stated that her husband had died in India of "sunstroke" [sic].
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
But notes also say he went overland to India 1857. CHECK, and if so, ADD.
Died of "sunstroke and heat exhaustion" at Morar, India, on the 17th of June 1858.
This was after the action at Gwalior in which he had taken part with Captain Heneage's squadron. Brigadier Michael Smith, who commanded the Brigade, stated in his final report:
"After the return of the squadron, the officers and men were so completely exhausted and prostrated by heat, fatigue and great exertion that they could scarcely sit in their saddles and were, for the moment, incapable of any further exertion."
Lummis and Wynn state that he was "Killed-in-action".
He was buried in the Mutiny Cemetery at Gwalior.
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Horse wounded three times during the Charge.
He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on the Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855.
The distribution of Crimean Medals on Horse Guards Parade, 18th of May 1855. Painting by Sir John Tenniel.
His name appears on the Nominal Return of those present now in the PRO, also on a similar roll which appeared in the United Services Magazine for June of 1855 and on that which appeared in the Illustrated London News, 26th of May 1855. He is shown with the officers of the 8th Hussars.
Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.
Served at Kotah and Gwalior. He was mentioned in despatches for "gallant conduct" before Gwalior.
Death & burial
Died of "sunstroke and heat exhaustion" at Morar, India, on the 17th of June 1858.
This was after the action at Gwalior in which he had taken part with Captain Heneage's squadron. Brigadier Michael Smith, who commanded the Brigade, stated in his final report:
"After the return of the squadron, the officers and men were so completely exhausted and prostrated by heat, fatigue and great exertion that they could scarcely sit in their saddles and were, for the moment, incapable of any further exertion."
Lummis and Wynn state that he was "Killed-in-action".
He was buried in the Mutiny Cemetery at Gwalior.
In a letter dated the 21st of June 1858 and now in the National Army Museum, Captain Robert Poore wrote:
In front of the Pass we had just come out of, Heneage (commanding the squadron) and Reilly (the Right troop) fell out with a lot of the men, done up by the sun, and poor Reilly and two or three of the men, died. You had better go to young Reilly's wife and break the news to her. I've got a ring of his, and will send it with his medal at the first opportunity. There is no doubt that drink fuddled him up; his wine bills were more than any other of the Regiment."
Written on the flap of another letter dated the 30th of June 1858:
"Poor Reilly, I told you of his death in my last letter; he dismounted, fell, and was never conscious after that. They tried to bleed him but without effect and there was no water nearby, and he was soon dead. You must break it to his wife as gently as you can. His Medal and ring will be sent at the first opportunity. Between ourselves, his constitution was broken by drink."
His death in this manner, as reported, would seem to confirm what his wife said when she claimed a widow's pension — that he had died of "sunstroke".
[PB, June 2015: Compare what is said above (The section "In a letter dated 21st June..."sunstroke'.") with Dutton, Forgotten Heroes, p.68. Dutton's version has been taken word-for-word from EJB, yet it appears without credit.]
