Salient points only - see also the record image.
Register No. 1263
Division Chatham
Father George Henry
23 Brunswick St
Morley
Yorkshire
DoB: 3 October 1859 Where Born: Wakefield York. Trade: Laborer Religion: Church of England
Enlisted: 1 October 1877 Where: Wakefield By: Cr. Sgt. J. Wood R.M.
| Stature | Complexion | Hair | Eyes | |
| On Enlistment: | 5 ft 5¼ in | Fresh | Brown | Brown |
| On Discharge: | 5 ft 6 in | do | do | do |
| Marks, Wounds, and Scars: | Cicatrix of Wound on Spinal region of loins | |||
Career in brief He remained a Private throughout
| 1877 Oct 3 | arrives at Recruit Depot Walmer |
| 1878 Jun 27 | arrives at Chatham Division |
| 1879 Jun 16 | arrives at Humber |
| 1879 Jul 8 | arrives on board Rapid |
| 1880 Nov 16 | arrives on board Hibernia |
| 1880 Dec 6 | arrives back on board Rapid |
| 1881 Jan 15 | arrives on board Alexandra |
| 1883 Feb 1 | arrives at Chatham Division |
| 1884 Apr 5 |
arrives on board Temeraire
leaves 6 Oct 1887 "to Gaol" |
| 1887 Oct 7 | arrives at Chatham Division |
| 1888 Oct 1 |
arrives on board Rupert
[probably the guard ship at Hull at that time] |
| 1889 Oct 1 | arrives at Chatham Division |
| 1889 Oct 4 |
Discharged
"Limited Engnt" [Engagement?] |
"Address:
Hardy croft
Pinchin St.
Wakefield
Yorkshire"
His "Character" hovered between Ex VG Good and Fair between 1877 and 1881.
He was "Sumy Imprison" [Summarily Imprisoned] on 6 Oct 1880, the day he left the Rapid for the first time. The Hibernia, to which he went for c.2 months, was then the flagship for the RN base at Malta, stationed in Grand Harbour. There is no reason given for his 42 day sentence.
Once aboard the Alexandra, under the command of W J Kerr, he went down to being Fair or Indifferent, and was in the Cells for short periods on 5 occasions during 1881, whilst Kerr was in command. Once Kerr had been replaced, his behaviour improved until 1887, when he had a series of bad reports and a few days in the Cells.
On 31 December 1885 the first entry was made in a column headed "Ability" - V.G.
Same on 31 December 1886 - V.G.
31 December 1887 - Good
30 September 1888 - V.Good
4 Oct 1889 - V.G. [on his discharge]
He passed Musketry Drill on the Temeraire, in 1887, Class *M.
He passed again on the Rupert, in 1889, Class M[?]
He last passed Gunnery on 1 Jun 1888, VG
Classifications for Conduct
| First | [no date] |
| Second | 2 June 1881 |
| First | 21 May 1882 |
| Second | 4 Sep 1882 |
| First | 5 Apl 1884 |
| Second | 10 Jan 1887 |
| First | 1 July 1888 |
| Second | 16 July 1889 |
[He never earned a Good Conduct Badge.]
Medals, Clasps, &c.
| 3 Apr 1883 | Egypt & Clasp for Alexandria |
| 3 May 1883 | Khadives Star |
"Able to Swim" and "When married" are both left blank.
"Invalided" and "Wounds and Hurts" are both left blank.
"Passed for" a range of advancements from Private (e.g. Bombardier, Sergeant etc.) is left blank.
School Certificate
There were 4 classes available, 1st to 4th, and he got 2nd Class in 1879.
Source: National Archives - Catalogue reference: ADM 159/37/1263