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LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

Added 17.9.11. Minor edits 2.4.14, 4.4.14.

1412, Private Edward THATCHER - 17th Lancers

Birth & early life

Born in the parish of St. Luke's, Chelsea, and baptised there as Edward John Thatcher on the 17th of July 1836, the son of James and Martha Thatcher.

Enlistment

Enlisted at London on the 29th of December 1854.

Age: 19.

Height: 5' 5". Trade: Clerk.

Features: Fresh complexion. Blue eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Joined the regiment in the Crimea from Cork on the 16th of July 1855.

From Private to Corporal: 1st of September 1857.

Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.

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 and Mungrowlee with Captain William Gordon.

Corporal to Sergeant: 8th of May 1860.

Re-engaged for a further 12 years' service at Aldershot on the 17th of October 1866.

Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 1st of April 1874.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Dublin on the 29th of April 1876, "Own request, free to pension after 21 years service."

Served 21 years 147 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 10 months. In India: 7 years 1 month.

Never entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Never tried by Court-martial.

Medals & commemorations

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, the Turkish medal, and the Mutiny medal without clasp.

Documents confirm the award of the Crimea, Turkish, Mutiny, and the Long Service & Good Conduct medals.

Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 16th of February 1874, with a gratuity of £5.

Life after service

To live at No. 150 Great College Street, Camden Town, London, on discharge.


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