Amos FOWLER alias William SMITH, Born 1844 Harlington, Bedfordshire

[BAC3]

Hello,

The Bedfordshire Times published on 16/11/1867 under the headline "Commitments to Bedford Gaol" carried the following extract:

               Amos Fowler alias William Smith, to await orders from the War Office,
               for deserting from the 28th Regiment of Foot, at Luton.

I wonder if anyone could kindly help with details of his enlistment and the outcome of his desertion?
Possibly the enlistment date will be post-24/08/1866 as he was then resident in Bedford Gaol for 14 days hard labour.

Thank you,

BAC3

[amondg]

Can't help with the military aspect, but 1868 he was back in trouble for stealing and was given 10 years penal servitude.

It says he was 25 in 1868 so born circa 1843

[BAC3]

Sadly, Mr FOWLER spent 15 years of his life in prison, including a spell of transportation to Gibraltar!!!

Those 15 years are exclusive of any resulting from the desertion.

BAC3

[amondg]

Yes I noticed he was in trouble along with his brother James in 1862.

Brother Alfred was in trouble 1867, although he doesn't appear to be a repeat offender.

He came from a large family, 10 children so far, must have been difficult on an agricultural labourers wages.

Have you tried the National Archives for his military record?.

[BAC3]

I tried TNA and other outlets to no avail, Ancestry, FindMyPast and Google included, and with no other responses I fear RootsChatters are having similar problems.

Nil desperandum!!!

BAC3