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« on: Saturday 12 December 09 11:33 GMT (UK) »
Hi there
First posting on this particular board so I'm hoping help and advice can be forthcomming.
My ancestor Thomas Sheldon was at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, here are his details from his discharge papers I received from the NA at Kew:
Gunner Thomas Sheldon born in the Parish of Beeston in the County of Nottingham by Trade a Hosier Attested for the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Boston in the County of Lincoln on the 17th August 1811, at the age of Sixteen Years
FIRST SERVICE. After the Age of 18 Years, which he is entitled to reckon up to 13th October 1840 is Twenty nine Years One Hundred and Five days.
Regiment or Corps: Horse Artillery
Rank: Driver from 16 August 1811 To 15th August 1813, Underage
Rank: Driver and Gunner from 1st July 1813 to 13th October 1840, 27years 105 days
1st Served: At the Battle of Waterloo - 3 Years & 6 Months France - the remainder in England & Ireland.
2nd Disability: Chronic Rheumatism
3rd Character: The Regimental Board is of the opinion that his character is "Exemplary"
He was the Driver to the Director General of the Hospital at Woolwich, a Captain Webb in the 1841 Census. In 1851 he was still the driver for a retired Director General Catain Webb, in 1861 he was back in Arnold, Nottingham as a Chelsea Pensioner.
Now for my request: on the muster rolls taken after the battle I have him but the name looks like 'Shelder' and I think this is also the case in the medal roll so could someone look this up to confirm. If this is the case its possible his medal when issued could have the name spelt wrong or be correct, I'm unsure.
I'm also on a quest to try to track down this medal if its appeared in medal collections anywhere with a view to aquire it, any advice where to look would be helpful. I'm going to look at it possibly going with his widow down to the Devon area after his death as she went to live with her daughter, but there's a possibility it was sold at some point to get cash for his funeral as they were silver. I'm keeping an eye on Ebay as you never know its a long shot but it could suddenly appear.
Mike Sheldon