Crimean Veteran, with no medal…..

[bigjarofwasps]

Thought this chap’s story might be of interest?

 

George PAYNE

Born - Marylebone London
Attested into the 90th Regiment, Westminister 13th October 1854 aged 17 years 6 months. Regimental number 3590
Trade - shoemaker
Height 5` 6"
Complexion Fresh
Eyes Blue
Hair Brown
Intended address upon discharge 8 Archbishop Place, Somers Road, Brixton, London. Trade shoemaker. 
Discharged Colchester as 1520 Private 96th Regiment aged 39 years and one month on the 14th May 1875.  
Served 21 years and 17 days of which 15 years 5 months overseas -
Malta 2 months
Crimea 10 months
India 14 years 5 months 
Conduct described as very good, he had four good conduct badges 
Had 5 entries in the regimental defaults book and was tried by court martial once. 
Has the Indian Mutiny medal with clasp Defence of Lucknow.
Statement of service -
Attested as Private 90th Regt - 13th October 1854 to 12th April 1855
Private- 13th April 1854 to 12th April 1855
Absent 27th April to 2nd May 1856. Tried by Regimental Court Martial 5th May 1856 and sentenced to 28 days. Imprisoned 5th May to 11th May. Remainder of sentence commuted, in conscience of youth and previous good conduct and for having kept safe the medal and clasp of a driver of the Royal Artillery. (It is also documented that on the 20th September 1855 the 90th presented 10 medals to each company, perhaps the Artillery did the same and that this medal "kept safe" was one of those? 
There is no way of knowing the exact dates PAYNE served on the Crimea (but we know he served there for 10 months and the Regiment left in June 1856. I'm also aware of a draft of 54 men who joined the Regt on 3rd October 1855, as PAYNE didn't qualify for the Crimea Medal which had a cut off date of the 9th September 1855, I suspect he was one of these 54). This would suggest he was on Malta August/September time? 
The following passage might shine some light on his court martial.
In the beginning of April 1856, peace was proclaimed and soldiers of the allied and Russian armies fraternized cordially, visiting each other's camps and meeting at the races and other entertainments which were set on foot. General LUDERS the Russian Commander in Chief inspected the whole British army on the 17th after which preparations were made for the evacuation of the Crimea. In June the 90th 27 officers and 757 non commissioned officers and men embarked on board HMS Queen which was towed by the Terrible as far as Constantinople whence she proceeded under sail for England. The regiment landed in Portsmouth in the end of July. 

Private 12th May 1856 to 5th Sept 1865
Transferred to the 96th Regiment 1st August 1869 Regimental number 1520.
Private 1st August 1869 to 14th May 1875  

The 90th embarked for India in February 1857 to help suppress the Indian Rebellion.It took part in the relief of Lucknow in November 1857, an action which saw members of the regiment awarded six Victoria Crosses. The regiment embarked for home in September 1869. As PAYNE transfers to the 96th in August 1869, this would suggest that he wanted to remain in India, hence his change in Regiment. The 96th remained in India until 1875. 

Provenance: Spink & Son Ltd, London Medal Auctioneer & Dealer, 31st March, 1993.