Private William Ceasley. 51st Foot
Home >  Medals home >  Back > This page | glossary of terms |  

Medal group - obverse. (73kb)


Medal group - reverse. (76kb)

William Ceasley attested into the 51st Foot at Bridgnorth on 3rd January 1871 aged 20 years.  At his medical the next day his height was recorded at 5 feet 9¾ his hair dark brown and that he had hazel eyes.  Distinctive marks were noted and they were smallpox scars on face.  He was passed medically fit, then enlisted and given the Regimental number 2081.

After training on 14th October 1872 he embarked for the East Indies and served there for 11 years and 74 days.  During this time he qualified for the Indian General Service Medal with clasp Jowaki 1877-8 and the Afghanistan Medal with clasp Ali Musjid.

As his medical history described him as intemperate I do not think that the medallion that came with the group is a temperance medallion, however if someone could identify it for me I would be most appreciative.

William whilst in service in the East Indies was admitted to hospital on 17th November 1880 with the social disease syphilis, under observations and circumstances in or by which the Disease was induced the surgeon wrote "Obvious" he was admitted again into hospital on 10th December 1883 with secondary syphilis and recommended for discharge as unfit for further service on 4th March 1884.  William had served 13 years and 60 days with the 2nd Yorkshire West Riding Light Infantry.