Hi Dockyard Matey
You are welcome.
Joshua Harrod had an interesting life.
Born in Jan 1862 in Canterbury, Kent. His father was a Sergeant in the 3rd (East Kent, The Buffs) Regiment of foot.
At the age of just 9 years and 6 months, was entered into Royal Military Asylum (Chelsea).
On the 19th January 1876 at the young age of only 14, joined the Regular Army, The Royal Engineers in London.
According to his service record, he turned 17 on the 20th January 1879.
After only 2 days into his 17th birthday, Joshua found himself at the Battle of Inyezane. God only knows what he was thinking and going through his mind.
If that was not bad enough Joshua then found himself in the Siege of Eshowe 23 Jan 1879 – 3 Apr 1879. This must have been a trying time for any soldier let alone a 17 year old.
After the Zulu War, Joshua stayed in South Africa and took part in the Battle of Rooihuiskraal, on 12 February 1881 in the First Boer War.
After leaving South Africa on 31st January 1882, Joshua climbed the ranks until he became a Sergeant in 1891.
In 1888 Joshua married Armour Selina Walker in Cardiff, Wales, while on Home Service.
In 1897 Joshua was permitted to continue service after 21 years within the ranks.
Joshua was discharged from the army on 31st July 1900 after 24 years and 193 days service with the rank of Company Sergeant Major.
In 1905 his wife dies and within the same year Joshua marries Louisa Elizabeth Ann Clark.
In 1913 Joshua becomes the Landlord of the Fountain Hotel, 24 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Fountain Inn, 24 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent.
On the 16th November 1914, Joshua rejoins the Royal Engineers as a Sapper at the age of 52. But the very next day, his service record shows he was promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major Instructor.
On the 1st July 1915, Joshua was promoted to Acting Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor.
Next Promotion came on the 26th October 1916 as Substantive Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer. (Please do not kick me if the ranks are incorrect, just as I am reading them on the service record).
Again another promotion was on the 24th January 1917, Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer 2nd Class.
Joshua was discharged on 11th February 1919 from the army for the second time.
Joshua Harrod died in 1922.
Now that is one Landlord I would like to have brought a pint from and had a talk with.
Andy