Richard Vintiner was a farm labourer of 18 years from Biggleswade prior to his enlistment on 22nd February 1864 at Woolwich.
Vintiner must have have either been very unlucky (and careless) or just a sickly lad who gained entry (somehow) into the army in an attempt to take advantage of better medical care.
From 1866 he suffered from: Primary Syphillis, Ague, Gonorrhoea, Boils , Hepatitis, Protrusions, Bronchitis, Influenza, Absesses, Haemorrhoids,Febricula and Inflamed Glands,
Discharged in 1885 his officer described him as "Indifferent" and as having been " Addicted to Strong Drink"