Pte William MOSS 57th Regiment

William Moss was born in August 1857 in the Parish of Spitalfields. He was Christened (on the 23rd Agust 1857) at St Matthias's Church Bethnal Green.
His address is given as 20 White Street (now Vallance Road), (his parents as Jospeh & Emma - Joseph's employment given a Labourer).
On the 1861 census he is shown as living at 2 Sheppard Street, Spitalfields. With his mother and father, two brothers and two sisters (they appear to have also been sharing this address with a Mrs Dodd and her three children). Joseph's employment given as Dock Labourer. By 1871 he's living at 3 Tenter Court (off Tenter Street), which is just off Sheppard's Street all very close to Spitalfields Market.  Joseph is not listed as living with the family at this time. It is likely that he'd found himself another women at this point as it appears a Joseph Moss finds himself at the Old Bailey charged with Bigamy, he is equitted. I have been unable to confirm whether they are one in the same man, however).The two daughters have also disappeared at this point, but a grandson is listed. William's employment is given as errand boy. Emma appear's to die in 1875 and William joins the army (General Service Infantry) on the 13th May 1876 (at 10 am) in London, on the 19th May he is at Hartley, Kent. Age on enlistement given as 18 and 9 months, his previous employment as Labourer. Previous military service given as Militia. Height given as 5` 5 1/2", complextion fair. Eyes hazel, hair brown, trade labourer.
Service...
England 16th May 1876 until 15th October 1877
Ceylon 16th October 1877 until 19th Feb 1879
South Africa 20th Feb 1879 until 13th Dec 1879 (57th Regiment)
England 14th Dec 1879 until 13th Aug 1880 (?Ireland)
East Indies 14th Aug 1880 until 30th June 1881
East Indies 1st July 1881 until 2nd March 1882 (Childer Reform)
England 3rd March 1882 until 28th Aug 1882
Egypt 29th Aug 1882 until 14th Feb 1883 (1st Btn Sussex Regt) (arrived 14th September)
England 15th Feb 1883 until 15th May 1888


Upon discharge (30th March 1883) his intended address is given as 7 Thomas Street, Bromley by Bow.
William marries Eliza 25th December 1884 at St Paul's Bow Common. Adress given as 16 St Dunstables Road (father given as Joseph, employment Labourer).


1891 13 Thomas Street Bromley by Bow  employment Carman.
1901 103 Brabazon Street, Bromley By Bow (Road foreman for council.)
1911 he's in Morris Rd. The address seems like 18 but there's something written just before the 18 that I can't decipher.

I'm curious to know why MOSS transferred to the Sussex Regiment, his service papers say "Transferred to the 1st Sussex Regiment in the comments it adds something that is totally unreadable. I wondered whether there was a common theme for men of the 57th/77th being transferred to the 1st Sussex which might shine a light on this mystery or indeed assist me in decoding what the writing might say.

Hi Victorian Dad.

The word that is unreadable is I think "mobilization"

I think the clue is in the word "mobilization". Moss is in the reserve in July 1882 when men are needed for the Egyptian Expedition. The Middlesex Regiment (old 57th) is not to be used so Moss is transferred to R Sussex Regt and earns his Egypt medal and Khedives Star as a result.

Steve

Many thanks chaps!!!! Now I know what it says, I'm able to read it clearly !!!

Hi Victorian Dad
If anyone can make sense of the Victorian Era scrawl it's 1879Graves , I have no clue how he seems to read it easily , he's helped me many times over the years in deciphering those bloody Service Papers !
90th

The 57th reached Fort Pearson on the 26th March, and was there detailed to 1st Brigade of the Column. The advance into the enemy’s country was commenced on the 29th. At the battle of Gingindlovu, which ensued on the morning of the 2nd April, the regt. held the right flank face of the laager and assisted in repelling the first desperate onslaught of the enemy. It was specially mentioned in Lord Chelmsford’s despatch describing the battle as being distinguished for its steadiness under fire. On the 3rd the Column marched into Eshowe, and relieved Col. Pearson’s force.

The regt. subsequently formed part of the 2nd Brigade of Crealock’s Div. It advanced to Fort Durnford, burning Zulu homesteads, the chief of which was Ondine, and disarming the coast tribes. Subsequently to the arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley it formed part of Clarke’s Column in the second advance and occupation of Ulundi, where it remained for three weeks, and was employed in the pursuit and capture of the King. It then returned to Natal via Entumeni and Middle Drift, assisting in the subjugation of the border tribes in the neighbourhood of the Lower Tugela.

Battle of Gingindlovu

https://www.britishbattles.com/zulu-war/battle-of-gingindlovu/

Hi Vic Dad
I assume that's the Egyptian Campaign Medal awarded to William Moss 57th Regt ? , if so , excellent work that man .
Cheers 90th

90th wrote:

Hi Vic Dad
I assume that's the Egyptian Campaign Medal awarded to William Moss 57th Regt ? , if so , excellent work that man .  
Cheers 90th

Hi 90th, yes sorry it is to MOSS, but he'd transferred to the Sussex Regiment by the time of the Egypt campaign. A bit of a back door approach to the Zulu war I know, but it was an added bonus when whilst researching him I discovered that he was entitled to the Zulu war medal as well. I wonder whether his Zulu war medal is out there somewhere?

Hi Vic Dad
I'll check my records , can't promise anything as there were approx 25,000 issued ! . If I don't have it , Graves1879 may well do , he has a excellent data base re the zulu war medals . Just checked my records , Sorry no luck .
90th