| Name |
William Thomas |
| Born |
Cal 1837 |
Ashburton, Devonshire, England  [1] |
- The place and approximate date of birth is supported by William's military record.
|
| Gender |
Male |
| Military Service |
24 Mar 1855 |
Bristol, Gloucestershire, England |
- William signed up for 2 periods of limited engagement, initially as a Private in the 1st Foot Regiment and on 26 May 1860 transferred to 20th Brigade, Royal Artillery, as a Gunner.
On 23 May 1862, William was appointed as Farrier Sergeant. Farrier Sergeants were found in both artillery and cavalry regiments. They were generally classed as senior sergeants and paid accordingly. Their duties included inspecting the horses of their troops every morning, and reporting any infectious disease immediately to their commanding officer and to the veterinary surgeon. A farrier sergeant was required to attend any British cavalry detachment of 50 or more.
On 13 October 1865, William was Court Martialled although the offence was not documented.
Wiliiam signed up for a further engagement on 2 October 1866 but on 2 September 1868, his rank was reduced to Gunner on the orders of the Commader-in-Chief. Again, the reason for this is unknown.
William was finally discharged from service on 27 April 1876, having served for just over 21 years. During his time in service, he had fought in the Crimean War and also spent 15 years and 5 months in India.
|
| Occupation |
21 Jun 1874 |
Woolwich, London, England |
| Bombadier, Royal Artillery |
| Census |
3 Apr 1881 |
Topsham, Devonshire, England [1] |
| Age: 44y |
Address:
Sch 119, Fore Street |
| Occupation |
3 Apr 1881 |
Topsham, Devonshire, England [1] |
| Shoemaker |
| Census |
5 Apr 1891 |
Topsham, Devonshire, England [2] |
| Age: 54y |
Address:
Sch 56, Fore Street |
| Occupation |
5 Apr 1891 |
Topsham, Devonshire, England [2] |
| Shoemaker and Retired Soldier |
| Census |
31 Mar 1901 |
Chelsea, London, England [3] |
| Age: 63y |
Address:
District Royal Hospital |
| Occupation |
31 Mar 1901 |
Chelsea, London, England [3] |
| Chelsea Pensioner |
| Died |
1905 |
Topsham, Devonshire, England |
- Place of death is unconfirmed.
|
| Person ID |
I22229 |
Mitchell Families |
| Last Modified |
9 Dec 2014 |
| Family 2 |
 Martha Stewart (ID:I22230)
b. 1844, Ottery St Mary, Devonshire, England
d. 6 Apr 1899, Topsham, Devonshire, England (Age 55 years) |
| Married |
13 Jul 1873 |
Woolwich, London, England |
Address:
Woolwich Parish Church |
- On the marriage register, William is still a Gunner in The Royal Artillery. He gives his address as the Barracks. William was a widower at the time of this marriage.
|
 |
Marriage Record: THOMAS, William and STEWART, Martha 18730713
|
| Age at Marriage |
He was 36 years and 7 months - She was 29 years and 7 months |
| Children |
| + | 1. William John Thomas (ID:I22211)
b. 23 May 1874, Woolwich, London, England
d. 1906, Topsham, Devonshire, England (Age 31 years) |
| | 2. Martha Sophia Thomas (ID:I22233)
b. 23 Dec 1876, Woolwich, London, England |
| | 3. Maude Thomas (ID:I22234)
b. Aug 1880, Topsham, Devonshire, England |
|
| Last Modified |
31 Jan 2013 |
| Family ID |
F5373 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
Cal 1837 - 1905 (~ 68 years)
Has one ancestor and 46 descendants in our family tree.
- Bef 1873
