William Thake, 88th Regiment of Foot/ 1st Battalion, The Connaught Rangers.

William Thake mustered in 15th December 1873 at the age of 14, 4 1/2 feet tall with a listed trade of musician so he was a drummer boy literally. He rose through the ranks eventually reaching Canteen Sergeant in 1888. His overseas service included India and South Africa (Zulu War, South Africa Medal with 1877-8-9 clasp) and earned the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged for medical reasons (hepatitis) on 5 April 1894 with over 21 years of service under his belt.

The 1901 census lists Thake living in Stepney, Middlesex, England with his wife Amy (who is also listed in his papers as with the regiment) and two children - Cyril and Muriel. His occupation is listed as an Inspector of Customs.

Hi Littlehand .
This from the Forsyth Medal Roll ........ 88th Regt , 191 Thake , W. Medal with 77-78-79 Clasp .
Strangely enough he isnt on the 88th Roll in Robert Hope's book '' A Staffordshire Regt In The Zulu & Sekukuni Campaigns 78-79 ' .


cheers 90th.


ps. PLEASE DISREGARD THIS ENTRY AS I'VE MADE AN ERROR !!.

90th. Would there have been a reason why he was missed the roll in Hope's book. Or just missed in general.

Hi 24th.
I knew I was tired this morning !!!! . He isnt in the Robert Hope book because he was in the 88th Regt , NOT THE 80TH
which is what Hope's book is about !!!!!!. Apology's to all . :lol!: :lol!: .
cheers 90th.

Thake of the 88th Foot/1st Batt. The Connaught Rangers.
Thake was born in London and enlisted in the 88th when he was 14 years old on 17 December, 1873. He was described as being four feet four and one half inches tall with a fair complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair with a former trade of musician listed.
His postings included home service from December 1873 to June 1877. The Cape (South Africa) from June 1877 to October 1879. India from October 1879 to December 1890. Aden 1890 – 1891, Home 1891 to 1894.
His first listed rank was that of "Boy" He was appointed Drummer in July 1876, Private – December 1876, Bandsman – April 1878, Lance Corporal – April 1882, Corporal - September 1883, Lance Sergeant – October 1884, Sergeant – May 1885, Canteen Sergeant – November 1888.
During his years as a soldier he was afflicted with many of the usual maladies that beset soldiers on active service in places like South Africa and India. These included ague, conjunctivitis, malaria, rheumatism and gonorrhea and a bout with hepatitis. It was this last disease that ended his military career when he was listed as unfit for further military service in April 1894.
Besides the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Thake was entitled to the South Africa Medal with the 1877-8-9 clasp for service in both the 9th Cape Frontier War and the Anglo-Zulu war.
Thake was married to Miss Amy Young on 8 June, 1892 and had at least two children, both daughters: Evelyn Mary born in 1893 and Muriel Digby born in 1894.

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[i]“The first medal on the left is the South Africa Medal of 1877-79. This medal was issued to 9265 Corporal J. Clarke of the Royal Engineers. I have been unable to uncover much about Corporal Clarke. It seems that his records were amongst those destroyed by the Germans during World War II. I have found out based upon the South Africa Medal roll that his first name was Josiah and that he served with 30th Co. Royal Engineers during the war. 30th Co. was attached to the 1st Division under Major-General H. H. Crealock during the second invasion of Zululand.

The second medal on the left is Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (2nd Type) issued to Sergeant William Thake of the 88th Foot/1st Batt. The Connaught Rangers.

Taken from Littlehands first post.

He must have known my maternal great great grandfather, George Joyce; born in 1850, joined the 88th in 1864 and was a bandsman in the 1st Battalion as the 88th became. My great grandfather Herbert Child married his daughter in Dinapore India in 1890 - he was also a bandsman. George died in 1893 not long after discharge and is buried in Gosport Hants. Herbert served in the Boer War, living until 1933. Anyone know what their duties may have been? I have been informed they would have been stretcher bearers... Information on the band seems to be hard to come by, perhaps someone here can help....

Hi islandguy

Sorry for the delay, I have just read your post. Welcome to the forum.

I have sent you a PM

1879Graves