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5198 Corporal JOHN BOOTH
Royal Engineers

1839: Born in Bolton, Lancashire. A painter by trade.

20 January 1858: Enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Sapper at Bolton.
Description on Enlistment: Height: 5 feet 9-1/2 inches. Weight: 154 pounds. Complexion: fresh. Eyes: brown. Hair: brown.

19 March 1861: Arrived at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Kent.

6 April 1861: Given a medical examination.

9 October 1861: Arrived at Malta

4 August 1863: In hospital at Malta with lumbago.

9 August 1863: Awarded Good Conduct Pay at 1.d.

3 July 1865: Admitted to hospital in Malta.

20 January 1866: Authorized Good Conduct Pay at 2.d.

20 May 1866: Sick on board ship proceeding to Gibraltar.

1 August 1866: In hospital in Gibraltar with gonorrhea.

1 October 1867: Re-engaged at Gibraltar.

15 December 1867: In hospital at Gibraltar with syphillus.

1 January 1868: In hospital at Gibraltar with syphillus.

6 May 1868: In hospital at Gibraltar with gonorrhea.

10 November 1868: Forfeited Good Conduct Pay at 1.d.

13 November 1868: In hospital at Gibraltar with ebriositas.

23 November 1868: In hospital at Gibraltar with syphillus.

16 February 1869: In hospital at Gibraltar with conjunctivitis.

11 August 1869: In hospital at Gibraltar with ebriositas.

9 November 1869: In hospital at Gibraltar with rheumatism.

10 November 1869: Restored Good Conduct Pay at 2.d.

26 April 1870: Arrived at Thorncliffe.

August 1870: Posted to Chatham.

14 January 1871: Arrived at Curragh, Ireland.

15 May 1871: In hospital at Curragh with ague.

4 August 1871: Admitted to hospital at Curragh.

10 November 1871: Authorized Good Conduct Pay at 3.d.

20 January 1876: Authorized Good Conduct Pay at 4.d.

1 March 1876: Promoted to the rank of 2nd Corporal.

1 September 1877: Promoted to the Rank of Corporal.

20 September 1877: Arrived at Chatham.

6 February 1879: Discharged at Dover. Described as a man of very good conduct and sober habits (if you can believe that!!!). Appeared four times in the Regimental Defaulters' book but was never tried by court martial. Intended residence on discharge: 184 Black Horse Street, Bolton, Lancashire.

25 February 1879: Discharge approved.

REFERENCES:
Soldiers Papers. Public Record Office, London.