Description
Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, VR, 2337 Colour Sergeant William Harris, 68th Regiment Light Infantry.
William Harris devoted much of his life to the Army, initially signing on with the 68th Foot at 18 years old back in 1844, he at first deserted the service, during this period Army Deserters received a painful brand, being the letter “D” on their body made by a primitive and painful tattooing machine, this practice was soon after abolished.
He was however forgiven and following a distinguished career became the regiment’s Colour Sergeant, and received the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, typically reserved for those with a flawless career, as his service had been restored.
He came into the Crimean War as a Corporal, and during his service there rose to Sergeant in under a year during the war.
He left Crimea with the medal and 3 clasps, for the Battles of Alma, Inkermann and Siege of Sebastopol.
Over a 21 year career he spent 14 1/2 years overseas, 3 years in Malta, 1 year 8 months in the Crimean War, 2 Years on the Ionian Islands, 5 years in India and finally 2 1/2 years in New Zealand.
Even after his retirement in 1866, he continued on, taking on the role of Sergeant Instructor on the Permanent Staff of the 3rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps, he spent over 15 years in this capacity earning a good increase to his pension by 1882, by which time he had spent 38 years in the service.
Officially impressed: “2337 Color Serjt William Harris 68th Foot.”
With copy service papers.
His retirement, Portsmouth Times 17th November 1866:
“On Tuesday evening the Sergeants of the 68th Light Infantry assembled at their mess-room, Cambridge Barracks, for the purpose of presenting Colour-Sergeant William Harris with a silver cup and gold locket, as a mark of esteem. The above testimonial was manufactured by Zachariah Brothers, of Portsea, and Edgeware-road, London.”
His much lengthier retirement ceremony from the Burnley Express, 2nd December 1882:
“PRESENTATION TO A VOLUNTEER DRILL INSTRUCTOR.
On Saturday last, Sergeant Harris, who for many years has occupied the post of one of the drill instructors for the Burnley companies of the 3rd L.R.V., was the recipient of a presentation on Saturday last, as a mark of the respect in which he was held by the volunteers, and in celebration of the severance of his connection with the head quarter companies, rendered necessary by order, in consequence of his having reached the stipulated age.
The presentation took the form of a pipe, tobacco-pouch, and a purse containing 12 guineas, and it was made subsequent to a repast, provided at the Crown Inn, in the usual excellent style, by Mrs. Nuttall.
There were 24 sergeants of the head quarter companies present, and they were afterwards joined by three officers — Captain Harrison, Captain Folds, Captain Hargreaves, and Mr. W. Sutcliffe, late captain of the corps.
The postprandial proceedings were presided over by Quartermaster-Sergeant Radcliffe, and the second post of honour was filled by Orderly room Clerk Pilkington. Several songs were sung, after which the presentation was made by the chairman.
He said that it was a pleasing duty to him to perform, and yet he performed it with regret, in as much as it celebrated Sergeant Harris’s disconnection with the corps. He had no doubt that every man regretted that Sergeant Harris was leaving, but of course it was what they could not help, for if the men had been consulted the severance would not have taken place.
He hoped Sergeant Harris would live long to enjoy the pipe, and that he would not go from amongst them; and he could assure him that he would always be a welcome guest at their gatherings. — Captain Harrison He said he had great pleasure in testifying to the efficiency and conduct of Sergeant Harris during his stay with the volunteers. He had not had a single complaint against him, and he had won the esteem of both officers and men. — Captain Folds also testified to his ability, and he hoped they would all take notice that when they came to the age of Sergt. Harris, and their hair tinged with grey, that they would all try to aspire to that honour that was due to Sergt. Harris.
Sergeant Harris, in offering his thanks for the presentation, said that he should ever retain in his memory most pleasurable recollections of his connection with the volunteers of Burnley. He had made many friends amongst them, but the generosity extended to him on that night had taken him by surprise, and was such as called forth the most sincere feelings of pleasure and gratitude. He should retain recollections of that night to his last day, and when smoking his pipe, whether with his Burnley friends or not, their kindness towards him would ever prove subject for the greatest pleasure.
The evening was spent convivially, and “Auld Lang Syne” was sung by Color-Sergeant Howarth before parting. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs. Nuttall, on the motion of Sergeant-Instructor Flynn, seconded by Sergeant Coulthurst, for her excellent spread.
We may add that Sergeant Harris, is a native of St. Albans, and is now 55 years of age. He has served in all 38 years of millitary life. He was upwards of 22 years in the 68th Light Infantry, now the 1st Durham, and saw active service, having gone through the whole of the Crimean War, including the battles of Alma, and Inkerman, and the siege and fall of Sebastopol. He was also through the war at New Zealand, for which he received a medal.
He afterwards joined the permanent staff of the 5th Royal Lancashire Militia, now the 3rd, East Lancashire, and remained with the regiment five years. He then joined the head-quarter companies of the 3rd L.R.V., then called the 17th L.R.V., and has served close upon twelve years.”
William Harris was born in St Peters, St Albans, Hertfordshire in 1826.
Attested for service on 2nd December 1844 aged 18.
He would service 21 years 146 days of which, 14 years 6 months were spent overseas consisting of:
Malta, 3 years 5 months.
Turkey & Crimea, 1 Year 8 Months
Ionian Islands, 1 Year 4 months
East indies (India), 5 Years 8 Months
New Zealand, 2 Years 5 Months.
However he “Deserted on 2nd September 1847, Rejoined on 15th December 1847, Tried by a District Court Martial for Desertion and convicted and sentenced to 84 days of imprisonment with hard labour, and marked with the Letter D, 26 days were remitted.”
He would also be forced to forfeit his last 2 years 274 days of pension.
His conduct began to improve, and some years later he had his “Whole service restored in consequence of subsequent good conduct authority dated War office 22nd July 1853.” this would later allow him to earn this very medal for LS&GC.
On 1st July 1854 he was promoted to Corporal, at this time the men were in Malta preparing for war in Crimea.
On 1st March 1855 he was promoted to Sergeant. This rapid promotion during his time in Crimea was likely in connection with his good service.
On 2nd January 1866 he was appointed to the rank of Colour Sergeant.
He would eb awarded this Silver Medal and Gratuity of £5 for Good Conduct and Long Service on 20th September 1866.
He was soon after discharged on 13th November 1886, being allowed to take his pension following Chronic Rheumatism over his 2 decades of service.
However this would not be the end of his Army Service, as right after retiring he spent the next 15 years at least as Sergeant Instructor to the Militia, with the 3rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps.
Shown on the 1881 Census living at 11 Danes House Road in Burnley Lancashire.
As a 54 year old “Sergeant Instructor Rifle” with his wife Kate Harris (Born Kilkenny, Ireland 1849) “Sergeant Instructor Wife”.
By 1891 he was then a “Conservative Club Steward” in Burnley.
