Description
Queen’s South Africa, 2 bars, CC, OFS, 3221 Corporal John McCausland, 2nd Bn Norfolk Regiment. With copy service papers.
Officially impressed: “3221 Pte J. McCausland, Norfolk Regt”
John was born in St Giles, London, during 1874.
On 26th May 1892, aged 18 he signed up with the 2nd Norfolk Regiment.
His occupation was noted as “Musician”.
He saw the following postings, he did exactly 12 years, but this would take over 15 years, having repeatedly deserted and forfeited over 3 years of his pension:
Home, 26th May 1892 – 5th June 1893 – 1 year 72 days lost for desertion
Home, 23rd Feb 1894 – 11th August 1894, 170 days lost for desertion
Home, 24th July 1895 – 10th December 1895
India, 11th Dec 1895 – 12th November 1899
Home, 13th Nov 1899 – 21st September 1900
South Africa, 22nd September 1900 – 4th Jan 1902
Home, 5th Jan 1902 – 23rd July 1907.
He was incredibly poorly behaved during his earlier service as a soldier over his 12 years terms of service, but later rose to Corporal.
Almost immediately after enlisting he was absent, and later “Awaiting Trial by Regiment Court Martial and sentenced to 28 days of imprisonment with Hard Labour and Stoppages, 14 days imprisonment and hard labour remitted, fro being absent without leave and loss of his clothing.” on 24th September 1892.
He deserted the regiment on 6th August 1893.
On 17th February 1894, he was located and rejoined, “Awaiting trail by District Court Martial for Desertion and was sentenced to 84 days of imprisonment and hard labour.”
Due to desertion he lost all his prior service towards his pension.
Amazingly, after spending 84 days in prison for desertion, he unsurprisingly was found to have once again deserted his regiment on 12th August 1894.
This time he evaded the regiment all the way until 18th July 1895, when he was “Rejoined and awaiting trial, Tried by District Court martial for Desertion and was sentenced to 9 nine calendar months imprisonment.” 3 months were at least remitted.
After his desertions he finally began to clean up his act and gain his ranks as an NCO, rising through Lance Corporal to Corporal, during the Boer War, and was afterwards discharged holding the rank of Corporal.
