[BIOGRAPHY] 1855-1889.
GEORGE HOWARD was born in Stradbrook, Harleston, Suffolk in 1855 and having previously served as a “Sailor” (presumably a merchant mariner) joined the Royal Artillery at Colchester on 24th January 1880. He was illiterate and made his mark “X” upon his attestation papers.
Upon joining he was described as being 5ft 4.1/8” with 36” chest , fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair & tattoo marks on both arms ....he was Church of England. He served in Egypt from 9th August 1882 until 27th April 1883 , a period of 260 days. He served at home from 28th April 1883 ‘till 11th May 1889 (6yrs 14 days) upon which date he died of Hepatitis in Sheffield aged 34.
[DEFAULTER RECORD] 1880-1886
Overstaying leave. ....10 days C.B.
Absent from Tattoo & found DRUNK in a Public House at 10:45pm ......10 days C.B.
Absent from Tattoo....Deprived of 1 day’s pay & 14 Days C.B.
Overstaying Leave .....Admonished
FOUND IN A BROTHEL, ALDERSHOT, WHEN ON PASS to GUILDFORD.....5 days C.B.
Creating a Disturbance in Barracks .....Admonished
Overstaying Leave
Creating a Disturbance & Fighting near the Officers’ quarters at 01:30am ....5 days C.B.
His next of kin was his mother Lucy Howard resident in Stradbrook.
An appealing & interesting medal medal pair in GVF with copy service papers & roll. Normal Star point contacts to Egypt medal. The Star which is officially named on the reverse in the normal engraved style has a natural metal flaw to the tip of the 2 ‘o’ clock point.
A very desirable & interesting pair based on the recipient’s catastrophically bad behaviour record where he appears on the Defaulters’ book for a varied selection of misdemeanours, on no less than 7 occasions between 1880 & 1886.
£550.00