| SERGEANT MAJOR WALTER HARRISON |
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Walter Harrison was born circa 1829 in the Parish of Burghapton, Town of Norwich and County of Norfolk. He attested for
the 6th Dragoon Guards (the “Carabiniers”) at Norwich on 12th August 1846. He was then underage at only 17 years and 5
months. His occupation was listed as tailor.
Harrison served with the 6th Dragoon Guards in the Crimea, arriving in August, 1855. The Regiment was present at the
Tchernaya and before Sebastopol and detached to Kinburn and Eupatoria with the Light Cavalry Brigade. He returned to
England with the Regiment in May, 1856. Harrison received the Crimea medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish
Crimea medal for such service. He was promoted Corporal on 1 August 1856.
The Muster Rolls for the 6th Dragroon Guards reflect Harrison being present with the 6th Dragoon Guards who were then
stationed at Meerut, India on May 10, 1857, when the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry rose against their officers, starting the
great Indian Mutiny. As many historians have speculated, had the Carabiniers been allowed to act quickly, it is possible that
the Mutiny could have been quelled early on before the Mutineers ever reached Delhi.
As a result of his services during the Indian Mutiny, Harrison received the Indian Mutiny Medal without clasp. (719 Mutiny
medals were issued to the Regiment, 495 of which were issued without clasps, 223 with Delhi clasps and 1 with the clasp for
the Relief of Lucknow.) His discharge papers state, “Is not the worse for it but is stated to have received a wound in the
left leg from a spear he says at Kirkowlee in 1858.” Promoted Sergeant 27 July 1858.
Harrison transferred as a Private to the 2nd Dragoon Guards (the “Bays”) on 1 March 1861, when the 6th Dragoons Guards
returned to England. Transferred to the Indian Army Unattached List on 29 October 1861 as a Sergeant Major. He served
with the Bengal Unattached List until he transferred to the 4th Hussars at the Cavalry Depot Canterbury as a Private on 30
June 1869.
Walter Harrison was discharged at Netley on 16 May 1871. Per War Office authorization, Harrison was discharged and
pensioned as a Sergeant Major, rather than his then rank of Private n the 4th Hussars. His conduct was listed as very good.
He was in possession of five good conduct badges, had never been listed in the Regimental Defaulters Book and had never
been tried by court martial. At the time of discharge, he was age 41 years and 8 months, had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes,
dark brown hair and was 5 feet 10 and l/2 inches tall. His intended place of residence was listed as Norwich, County of
Norfolk, England. (WO97/1738)
the 6th Dragoon Guards (the “Carabiniers”) at Norwich on 12th August 1846. He was then underage at only 17 years and 5
months. His occupation was listed as tailor.
Harrison served with the 6th Dragoon Guards in the Crimea, arriving in August, 1855. The Regiment was present at the
Tchernaya and before Sebastopol and detached to Kinburn and Eupatoria with the Light Cavalry Brigade. He returned to
England with the Regiment in May, 1856. Harrison received the Crimea medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish
Crimea medal for such service. He was promoted Corporal on 1 August 1856.
The Muster Rolls for the 6th Dragroon Guards reflect Harrison being present with the 6th Dragoon Guards who were then
stationed at Meerut, India on May 10, 1857, when the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry rose against their officers, starting the
great Indian Mutiny. As many historians have speculated, had the Carabiniers been allowed to act quickly, it is possible that
the Mutiny could have been quelled early on before the Mutineers ever reached Delhi.
As a result of his services during the Indian Mutiny, Harrison received the Indian Mutiny Medal without clasp. (719 Mutiny
medals were issued to the Regiment, 495 of which were issued without clasps, 223 with Delhi clasps and 1 with the clasp for
the Relief of Lucknow.) His discharge papers state, “Is not the worse for it but is stated to have received a wound in the
left leg from a spear he says at Kirkowlee in 1858.” Promoted Sergeant 27 July 1858.
Harrison transferred as a Private to the 2nd Dragoon Guards (the “Bays”) on 1 March 1861, when the 6th Dragoons Guards
returned to England. Transferred to the Indian Army Unattached List on 29 October 1861 as a Sergeant Major. He served
with the Bengal Unattached List until he transferred to the 4th Hussars at the Cavalry Depot Canterbury as a Private on 30
June 1869.
Walter Harrison was discharged at Netley on 16 May 1871. Per War Office authorization, Harrison was discharged and
pensioned as a Sergeant Major, rather than his then rank of Private n the 4th Hussars. His conduct was listed as very good.
He was in possession of five good conduct badges, had never been listed in the Regimental Defaulters Book and had never
been tried by court martial. At the time of discharge, he was age 41 years and 8 months, had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes,
dark brown hair and was 5 feet 10 and l/2 inches tall. His intended place of residence was listed as Norwich, County of
Norfolk, England. (WO97/1738)
Walter Harrison’s Indian Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (HEIC arms), was authorized by G.G.C.C. on 26 July
1872, as a result of Harrison’s extended service with the Bengal Unattached List. His rank is shown as Sergeant Major on
this medal
The 1875 Suffolk Post Office Trade Directory lists Walter Harrison as a Publican at the Red Lion. The 1881 Census lists
Walter Harrison as residing at Wickham Market, Suffolk, at the “Vine Inn” with his wife, Fanny. Also living with them are
their five children, three of whom are shown as having been born in the East Indies. Harrison’s occupation is given as Hotel
Keeper & Chelsea Pensioner. Neither Walter Harrison nor his wife Fanny is listed in the 1891 Census.
Interestingly, when Harrison’s medals were brought to a medal dealer for sale, the seller stated she had found the medals in
a trunk in Norfolk, England. The medals were attached to an old waistcoat, with the medals arranged in the pattern known
as “North, South, East and West,” i.e., one medal at each compass point, rather than in the customary row. As Harrison’s
trade upon enlistment was shown as tailor, it is probable that he made the waistcoat himself.
1872, as a result of Harrison’s extended service with the Bengal Unattached List. His rank is shown as Sergeant Major on
this medal
The 1875 Suffolk Post Office Trade Directory lists Walter Harrison as a Publican at the Red Lion. The 1881 Census lists
Walter Harrison as residing at Wickham Market, Suffolk, at the “Vine Inn” with his wife, Fanny. Also living with them are
their five children, three of whom are shown as having been born in the East Indies. Harrison’s occupation is given as Hotel
Keeper & Chelsea Pensioner. Neither Walter Harrison nor his wife Fanny is listed in the 1891 Census.
Interestingly, when Harrison’s medals were brought to a medal dealer for sale, the seller stated she had found the medals in
a trunk in Norfolk, England. The medals were attached to an old waistcoat, with the medals arranged in the pattern known
as “North, South, East and West,” i.e., one medal at each compass point, rather than in the customary row. As Harrison’s
trade upon enlistment was shown as tailor, it is probable that he made the waistcoat himself.
