Ralph STURGES, Born 1845, Derby

[BAC3]

Hello,

I understand on 28/08/1863 Ralph STURGES was published as a Deserter from 06/08/1863 at Woolwich.

Is anyone able to confirm what happened to the gentleman please?

Thank you,

BAC3

[Brentor boy]

According to 1851 census Ralph's father, John, was a cordwainer.
In 1881 there is a Richard Sturges, age 36, shoemaker, born Derbyshire, a convict in Portland prison.
Could be entirely coincidental.

[BAC3]

No, you are correct.......Ralph STURGES became a "career criminal"......but the deserter aspect, particularly if there was a Court Martial, intrigues me, if appropriate

[CaroleW]

1861 - Richard Sturges aged 15 - father John occ cordwainer. Somewhat of a coincidence!,

[..claire..]

He was obviously caught and sent back to duty but deserted again (Woolwich) on 3 February 1864, published in the Police Gazette on the 14 Feb 1864

Those records are held exclusively by Fold.com, and don't appear in the Police Gazettes that are online unfortunately.

Claire

[Brentor boy]

You probably have this:-
GRO Index. Ralph Sturgess. Mar Q 1846. Burton on Trent. Mmn Hammond.
Baptism. 18 January 1846. Tutbury. Staffs. Parents John and Mary Ann.

[ShaunJ]

There are various criminal records for Richard Sturgess alias Ralph Sturge(s) - you probably have some or all of these already.

[Brentor boy]

Several mentions of him to be found on British Newspapers Archives.One of particular interest(but may not be your man).

Birmingham Daily Post.29 April 1861. " a youth, Ralph Sturges, alias Tourne" charged with stealing a timepiece.

In 1866 Ralph Sturgess, 21, a shoemaker, charged with stealing a watch.

[ShaunJ]

An alternative source for one of those Police Gazette items:

https://www.lastchancetoread.com/docs/1863-08-26-the-police-gazette.aspx