Private 945 J Deacon 57th Regiment Shot in the nose

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Englishman's Overland Mail - Thursday 10 October 1912

1879 clasp
N/t of being wounded in Tavender's

Hi Kate

James Duncan was born in the Parish of Ardfinan, Tipperary on 18 July 1851, and enlisted at Cork into the 57th Foot on 18 August 1865, aged 14. He was appointed Drummer in March 1868 but reverted to Private in December 1868, still under age. He was posted as Private, having attained the age of 18 years, on 18 August 1869, and was appointed a full bandsman on 1 December 1873. He served in Ceylon from 23 December 1873 to 19 February 1879, and then in South Africa until 13 December 1879, being slightly wounded on the nose at Ginginhlovo on 2 April 1879 [recorded on discharge papers but described as ‘bullet wound in face’ on In-Pension papers]. He served at Gibraltar from 20 September 1892 to 1 March 1895; in South Africa from 25 April 1896 to 8 April 1898; and then in the East Indies until 3 April 1913. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal as a Bandsman on 1 August 1885. He was appointed Sergeant-Drummer, the term then used for Drum-Major, in 1891, and was recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal by the Officer Commanding, 1st Middlesex Regiment, on 15 January 1906, with an Annuity of £10; the medal was awarded on 11 February following. During his service in India, Deacon was presented to their Majesties King George and Queen Mary at the Durbar in 1911 and received the medal. He was discharged on 20 August 1913, when he had completed 47 years 246 days’ service. He entered Chelsea Hospital as an In-Pensioner on 20 March 1920, where he was Provost Corporal. He died on 1 November 1926, and was buried with full military honours in Paddington cemetery, his body being carried on a gun carriage provided by “O” Battery R.H.A. from St John’s Wood.

Mr JY has a fantastic photo of James Deacon if he wishes to publish it

Andy

Thanks Andy
hint hint JY

Kate,

You are obviously consulting the wrong material with regard to casualties.

If I may quote from page 152 of They Fell Like Stones.

WOUNDED IN ACTION

57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot
Captain H.C. Hinxman, slightly wounded
Private J. Deacon, slightly wounded
Private J. Harris, slightly wounded

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Drum-Major James Deacon, Middlesex Regiment, circa 1897.
(John Young Collection.)

His medals and a number of photographs of him were in the late Jack Webb’s collection.

JY

Cracking photograph John.
Yes I don't have much faith in Tavender's being complete when I found Alan Gardner wasn't in there but still use it as a starting resource.