804 Private John Ellison Late 42nd Foot Regiment (The Black Watch)
Date	Summary of Events and Information	Reference
11th Oct 1859.	John Ellison enlisted into the 42nd Foot Regiment (The Black Watch) he was recruited in Dublin by Sergeant Peter Garry of the 87th Regiment (The Prince of Wales Own). He was paid a Bounty of £3. 3. 0d for enlisting.	Attestation Sheet.
12th Oct 1859.	Description: John Ellison was born in 1838 in the parish of St Peter and Paul’s Dublin. He was a labourer prior to joining the army. Height 5 feet 6 ½ inches tall. Complexion Fair, Eyes Grey, with Brown Hair. John declares his age as 21 years.	Attestation Sheet.
13th Oct 1859. To 24th Jul 1860.	804 Pte John Ellison travels to the regimental Depot at Stirling and undergoes basic training including Rifle drill. In May and June he is detached to Perth and on 25th Jul. to a Service Company.	Muster Roll WO12/5533.
25th Jul 1860. To 7th Mar 1868.	The 42nd Foot Regiment are deployed to the East Indies (India). The regiment and John was to spend the next 7 years and 226 day’s serving in the various stations and locations in India including. 1860. Oct – Dec. Bareilly, Bengal. Nov. spends 12 day’s in hospital with Phlegmon, heat inflammatory reaction to infection. 1861. Jan - Mar. Pindorra and Agra. Apr - Sept. Agra and Bengal. Aug. 15 day’s in hospital due to epidemic, treatment quinine. Aug – Sept. he spends two further spells in hospital for 12 and 21 day’s same reason and treatment. Oct –Dec. Kurnaul, Bengal. Oct. detached to Secundra. 1862. Jan - Mar. Camp Kalka, Bengal. Jan. in hospital 12 day’s. Apr - Dec. Pugshai. East Indies. 13th Oct. granted good conduct pay @ 1d daily. 1863. Jan – Sept. Pugshai, East Indies. Feb detached to Hurrenpoor. Oct – Dec. Camp Rawalpindee. Oct. detached to Solon. 1864. Jan - Sept. Pugshai, East Indies. Oct – Dec. Rawalpindee. 1865. Jan - Sept. Rawalpindee. Oct - Dec. Peshawur. 17th Mar (St Patrick’s Day) forfeits good conduct pay. John is tried convicted and imprisoned for drunkenness 14th to 20th Jul. 1866. Jan - Dec. Peshawur. 2nd – 3rd Jul. Confined, John is again tried and imprisoned for drunkenness this time from 4th to 17th Jul. 1867. Jan - Mar. Peshawur. Apr - Sept. Camp Cheraat. Sept. duty camp picquet. Oct - Dec. Camp Kurarchee. Dec. duty camp piquet. 1868. Jan - Mar. At sea. Good conduct pay restored @ 1d daily.	Muster Roll WO12/5534 To WO12/5543. Record of Service. Medical History Sheet.
8th Mar 1868. To 2nd Dec 1873.	1868. The Regiment returns to its home in Stirling, Scotland and on the 14th Apr. John re-enlists, he is granted a Furlough from 18th Apr. to 16th Jun. Jul – Dec. Edinburgh. 5th Aug forfeits good conduct. Tried convicted and imprisoned from 16th Oct 1868 to 21st Mar 1869 1869. It looks like John transgressed while still in prison or just after release as from 22nd to 24th Mar. he is awaiting trial and on the 25th Mar. he is tried convicted and imprisoned from 25th Mar. to 7th Apr. Oct – Dec. the Battalion moves to Aldershot. 1870. Jan – Dec. Stationed in Aldershot. 1871. Jan – Dec. Stationed in Aldershot and Devonport. 1872. Jan – Dec. Stationed in Devonport. 1873. Jan – Sept. Stationed in Devonport and Portsmouth. Jan. in Hospital. Oct – Dec. Portsmouth and at sea bound for the West Coast of Africa	Muster Roll WO12/5548. Record of Service.
3rd Dec 1873. To 23rd Mar 1874.	1874. Jan – Mar. Cape Coast, the Battalion has been deployed to the Second Ashantee War. A task force was organised under Major General Wolseley. The most important battle took place at Amoafo, near the village of Bekwai in Jan. Although the Ashantee did well superior British weapons allowed the British Army to carry the day. In the following day’s, Wolseley took Bekwai and then after another battle outside the village of Ordahsu in Feb. the British entered the Ashantee Capital of Kumasi. Awards Ashantee War Medal with Clasp Coomassie.	Muster Roll WO12/5549. Medal Roll WO100/44.
24th Mar 1874. To 13th Nov 1874..	1874. The Battalion returned to the United Kingdom landing at Portsmouth. John was granted Furlough from the 18th Apr to 15th May. 7th Jun. John marries Catherine Williams of Paster, Hampshire.	Muster Roll WO12/5549.
14th Nov 1874. To 17th Jul 1878.	1874. The Battalion and John would not spend long at home for in Oct. they were deployed to Malta. Where they would spend the next 4 years and 235 day’s. Malta was regarded as a plumb posting in the sun. 15th to 27th Mar 1877. Detached to the 98th Foot Regiment (The North Staffordshire Regiment). 15th Jun 1877 Good Conduct Pay restored.	Muster Roll WO12/5549. Record of Service.
18th Jul 1878. To 20th Jun 1979	1878. On the 18 Jun. the Battalion is again redeployed this time to Cyprus where it will spend the next 124 Day’s. 1879. 15th Jun. Granted good conduct pay @ 2d daily. On the 19th Nov. they are again on the move this time to Gibraltar. Where the will remain for the next 213 day. 20th Jun. The Battalion arrives back in Britain and is posted to Parkhurst, Isle of White.	Muster Roll WO12/5552. Military History Sheet. Record of Service.
1st Jan 1880.	1880. Jan – Dec. Stationed at Parkhurst and Aldershot, Hampshire.	Record of Service.
1st Jan 1881.	1881. Jan – Mar Stationed in Aldershot. 24th Nov. 804 Private John Ellison was discharged to pension. He retired to Newport, Isle of White with his wife Catherine and their three children aged 5 years 8 months, 2 years and 7 months and 1 year and 9 months. He received an advance of pension of £1 plus 14 Shillings and 8 pence travelling expenses.	Record of Service.