Every day on the British Army Ancestors Facebook page I take time to commemorate a British soldier. This post will look at three of the men I have remembered recently; from left to right: Edward Dubberley, William Scott and James Steven.
The photograph of former sergeant Edward Dubberley and his wife was published in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps Chronicle for 1905. Papers in WO 97 show that he was discharged from the 2nd Battalion, 60th Foot at Winchester on the 18th March 1864 by which time he had served for 21 years and 11 days, soldiering in Canada, South Africa and India.
In actual fact, Edward had joined the army as a boy in July 1837 but it was only when he reached the age of 18 on the 20th June 1841 that the clock started ticking for pension purposes. Similarly, when he transferred to the South Gloucester Militia on the 1st October 1860 and finished his career there in 1864, these last four years of his service were only allowed to reckon as half service. His total service, scribbled on a piece of paper in his file, was 24 years and 11 months, his character described as exemplary.
In this photo, Edward wears the medal for South Africa, The Indian Mutiny and his Long Service and Good Conduct medal.
283483 Staff Sergeant William Scott of the Royal Garrison Artillery poses with ‘Elsie’ in this undated photograph. William Scott was wounded on at least one occasion, as can be seen from the vertical wound stripe on his left forearm. I presume Elsie was William’s wife, as she wears a wedding ring on her ring finger. I could find no evidence that William did not survive the First World War and so I hope the couple went on to live long and fulfilling lives.
192923 Dvr James Yate Steven of the Royal Field Artillery poses with his wife, Adeline Hislop and shy daughter, Marion Cook Steven, in this undated photograph. I suspect that the regimental number dates to December 1916 or January 1917 and that this photo was probably taken in 1917. James Steven survived the war and came home to his family.
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