John J. Pritchard No. 624

Enlisted for the 54th Regiment of Foot on the 21st October 1826 at Gloucester in the County of Gloucester at the age of 20 years.

Born in the Parish of Linton in or near the town of Ross in the County of Hereford.

• Trade or Calling: Labourer
• Size: 5 Feet 61/2 inches
• Complexion: Fresh
• Eyes: Hazle
• Hair: Dark
• Narks: None

Articles of War

OBEDIENCE IS THE FIRST DUTY OF A SOLDIER

For the following Offences, the Articles of War inflict on a soldier the penalty of Death, or such other punishment as a Court-Martial may award.

• Mutiny.
• Desert ion.
• Cowardice.
• Holding correspondence with the Enemy.
• Quitting his Post in search of Plunder.
• Personal violence to a Superior, or disobedience of his Lawful Commands.
• Forcing a Safe-Guard.
• Betraying the Watchword.
• Giving false Alarms.
• Casting away Arms or Ammunition.
• Sleeping on, or quitting his Post.

For the following offences, a Soldier is liable to be punished by Transportation, or General Service, or Corporal Punishment, and, in addition to any other punishment, by forfeiture of all claim to Pension on Discharge, and of all Additional Pay whilst serving.

• Using traitorous words against the King, or Royal Family.
• Persuading to desert, or harbouring a Deserter.
• Being Drunk on Duty.
• Breaking Arrest.
• Giving a different Watchword.
• Spreading false reports in the Field.
• In Action, or previous to Action, using words tending to create alarm.
• Quitting Ranks without Leave.
• Being made Prisoner by neglect.
• Seizing Supplies.
• Disgraceful and vicious Conduct.
• Refusing Assistance to, or impeding the Provost Marshal.
• Embezzling, or Misapplying Money, or Stores.

A Soldier who shall become maimed or mutilated by the firing off of his musket, or by any other means, is to be tried by a Court-Martial, and if it be found by the Court that the maiming or mutilating was the effect of design, he shall not be discharged, but shall be employed on Military work. If a Soldier tampers with his Eyes, or by vice, intemperance, or misconduct, shall cause total or partial loss of his sight, he shall not be entitled to his discharge, or to a Pension, but shall be detained in an Eye Infirmary.

A Soldier convicted of having been four times drunk within twelve months, or twice drunk when for parade or duty, within twelve months, may be deprived of his additional Pay, or of the Allowance in lieu of Beer, for a period not exceeding two years.

A Soldier is not to marry without a written sanction, obtained from his Commanding Officer.

Should he marry without this sanction, his Wife will not be allowed in Barracks, nor to follow the Regiment, nor will she participate in the indulgences granted to the Wives of other Soldiers.

NEXT OF KIN

Bounty for which enlisted…………………£3.O.O
Proportion of Bounty received in cash…….£3.O.O

Specification of the Necessaries which a Soldier of a Regiment of Infantry of the Line is required by His Majesty’s Clothing Warrant to be in possession of, and which are paid for by Stoppages from his Pay.

• Pair of White Linen Trousers.
• Pair of Short Boots.
• Waistcoat.
• Three pair of Socks.
• Three Shirts; Black Stock; Pair of Braces.
• Knapsack; Foraging Cap; Two Shoe Brushes.
• Blacking Ball; Clothes Brush; Button Brush and Stick.
• Sponge; Comb, with small teeth on one side; Razor.
• Soap and Shaving Brush, without a Box.
• Straps for carrying Great Coat.
• Turnscrew, Brush and Worm.
• Pair of Mitts, when required by the climate.
• Knife, Fork, and Spoon, with case.
• Mess—Tin arid Cover.

Services Abroad

Landed in East Indies 23rd June 1828

For the year of 1832 John J. Pritchard received clothing compensation of a Regimental Great Coat and Boots. He acknowledged this by making his mark.

For the year of 1833, while stationed at Trichinopoly, he received £23.3.0d in Pay. In 1837, while still stationed at Trichinopoly, he received a complete suit of clothing, but it appears he only received £5.4.6 in Pay. But in 1838 his Pay amounted to £25.7.3 plus 1-Cap, 1-Coat, 1-Trousers, and 1-pair Boots. 1839 and the first three months of 1840 saw him stationed at Fort St. George. April, May, June and July was spent on board ship bound for home.

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