James Kersley

James Kersley

James Kersley, my paternal Great-Grandfather, was born at Weeke,Winchester,Hampshire, on the 8th February 1848.

Little is known about the early years of James's life, but at the age of eighteen years he enlisted in to the 51st Regiment of Foot (later to become The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) in Winchester on the 19th May 1866 at 8 o'clock PM. (taken from Army Record), his given Regimental Number was 1676.

James served at the Depot (Citadel Barracks) at Dover,Kent, until the 51st returned from India in April 1867.

In 1870 the Regiment was sent to Waterford,Ireland, whilst there James married Mary Noonan, on the 18th April 1871 at Kilkenny. Tragically Mary died in child birth early in 1872 and is buried in Kilkenny.

In October 1872, James by then a Colour Sergeant, embarked with the Regiment on the Indian Troopship 'Euphrates', arriving in Bombay,India, in November, then on by rail to serve in cholera ridden Fyzabad.

On the 19th June 1875, James married Elizabeth JONES (my Great-Grandmother). Elizabeth was described as a spinster, nearly 20 years of age, daughter of Private James JONES Snr. My Great-Grandfather was recorded as a widower,Colour Sergeant in H.M.51st Regt K.O.L.I., the witnesses were Jane Jones (mother),William Jone(brother) and Elizabeth Anne Stuart, the ceremony being performed by J.Kilbee Stuart. M.A.Chaplin. An article in the "Bugle" ( the Regiments own paper), for the 15th July 1875, states that this was the first marriage in the Regiment since their arrival in the Country (India).

Elizabeth Kersley (nee Jones)

Towards the end of 1875, the Regiment marched (with Families) to Peshawar, leaving Fyzabad on the 4th November 1875 and arriving in Peshawar on the 21st March 1876, after a march of 977 miles. During this march the Regiment joined the Camp of Exercise at Delhi on the 13th December 1875 to the 19th Janurary 1876.

In 1876 Elizabeth and James, had twins who died in infancy, not suprising as it seems likely she was carrying them during the long march. However by 1877 William James, the first of ten children, was born. During November and December 1877, the Regiment was involved in The JOWAKI Expedition and Fort Mackeson (Kohat Pass).

1878 saw the start of the Second Afghan War, in which the Regiment was involved with the capture of Ali Musjid.

During the next four years James was promoted Quarter Master Sergeant and three more children were born, Ferderick James, Elizabeth and Mary, the later on the 7th November 1883,  Mary was just two weeks old, when on the 21st November 1883, the Regiment marched to Dinapore, a mere matter of 495 miles.

After the Regiment was involved in further skirmishes in Burma and the birth of Charles and Lilian, the Regiment and the KERSLEY family embarked on H.M.S. Troopship "SERAPHIS", reaching Portsmouth on the 20th December 1887. The Regiment stayed in Gosport for a time and this is where George Thomas (my Grandfather) was born on the 21st November 1888.

H.M.S. SERAPHIS

In 1891 the Regiment was posted to Guernsey,Channel Islands, but James and Elizabeth together with their eight children were posted to Pontefract, where James was to take up the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Depot). James served as RSM for the next seven years and during this time two more children were born, Walter b.1891 and Robert b.1892.

The Kersley Family 1898

James's discharge from the Army came in 1898 after serving for 32 years and 185 days. During that time he had been awarded medals for Afghanistan and clasp for Ali Musjid,  the Long Service and Good Conduct medal, the India Medal and clasp for Burma, and to complete his service was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in November 1898.

His Army career now at an end, he and all his family moved to live in Sheffield, James worked there as a clerk in the Tramways Department for Sheffield Council, he was also instrumental in forming the Regimental Association in the city.

James died in Sheffield on the 13th November 1928 aged 80 years, and Elizabeth died on  4th June 1945 aged 90 years.

Sources :-

Army Record for No 1676 James Kersley.

Mrs Eva Neyt, Lilian Kersley's daughter.

The 'Bugle' K.O.Y.L.I. magazine 1867 - 1928.

G.C.M. - General Order 170 of October 1884.

M.S.M. - Army Order 168 of October 1899.