1339, Private Cornelius TEEHAN - 11th Hussars

Also recorded as "Tehan", "Teahan" and "Teahen" [CHECK].

Birth & early life

Born in the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, on the 25th of December 1828.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Liverpool on the 26th of February 1847.

Age: 18 years 2 months.

Height: 5' 7".

Trade: Farrier.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Grey eyes, Brown hair.

Service

Marriage registered

Cornelius Henry Teahen [sic] to Susanna Elizabeth Wurr [possibly Wyrr or Wyler?], March Quarter 1851, Norwich.

"Deserted" from Hounslow on the 8th of July 1851 and rejoined the regiment on the 5th of August 1851.

Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned 6th of August - 30th of September 1851.

He also forfeited his previous service of four years 132 days by this conviction, but this was restored by Authority of a War Office letter No. 83,200, dated 22nd of March 1856.

At Scutari 4th of April - 11th of May 1855.

Sent money from the Crimea to a Susanah Elizabeth Teehan (relationship not shown, but in fact his wife.)

From Private to Corporal: 10th of September 1857.

Reduced to Private, by a Regimental Court-martial, for "absence" on the 19th of February 1858.

Transferred to the 18th Hussars at Hounslow on the 28th of February 1858. Regimental No. 42.

From Private to Corporal: 1st of April 1858,

Corporal to Sergeant: 30th of June 1859.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Aldershot on the 12th of July 1861:

"Own request, and by claim, having completed 14 years' service and with right of registry for a deferred pension of 6d. per day upon reaching the age of 50 years."

He did not survive to receive this pension.

Served 14 years.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years.

Conduct: "good". Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges when promoted to Sergeant

Twice entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book and twice tried by Court-Martial.

Aged 32 years 3 months on discharge.

To live in London.

Medals & commemorations

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol. The rolls name him as "Teahan".

Awarded the French Military War Medal.

11th Hussar NCOs and soldiers recommended for the French Military War Medal, including Cornelius Teahan. (Image: Max Espie.)

(Click on image to enlarge)

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund Peel's recommendation, sent from Sebastopol in May 1856, stated:

"Served in the Campaign in Bulgaria in 1854. Was present at the affair of the Bouljanak and Battles of Alma and Balaklava, where he behaved gallantly. Was also present at the Battle of Inkerman, and served during the whole of the Campaign from 1854 to 1856."

The Service Historique of France states that the Medaille Militaire was awarded under a decree dated the 21st of August 1856.

Letter from:

"Horse Guards,

27th September 1856,

Sir, I have the honour to transmit the accompanying Diplomas to the N.C.O.s and Soldiers of the Regiment under your command upon whom the French Military War Medal has been conferred and HRH the Commander-in-Chief has directed that you will present them on parade in a manner in keeping with the decoration, to the individuals to whom they are addressed.

I have the honour, etc., etc.

J. W. Reynolds,

DAG.

[To:] Officer Commanding 11th Hussars."

Further detailed medal information, and photographs, archived.

Death & burial

Death registered

Cornelius H. Teehan, 41, September Quarter 1869, Westminster St. M.

References & acknowledgements

Jan, 2014: The editors are very grateful to Max Espie for the photograph of CT's recommendation for the French Military Medal, and for alerting us to the registration of CT's death in 1869 and his location in the 1861 Census, which has helped to resolve a number of questions.

Marriage, death and Census transcripts kindly provided by Chris Poole.