Sergeant Major Francis Hooley,
Royal Engineers and his son
Corporal E.J. Hooley, Royal Engineers.

Research on Sergeant Major Francis Hooley shows the following general information, dates of rank, campaign service, and army appointments related to his 21 years 268 days (1857-1878) service in the British Army: [1] This medal group is no longer a part of my collection. This page has been left in place for general information.

Birth & Enlistment:

Francis Hooley was born in the Parish of Saint Mary's, near the Town of Nottingham, in the County of Nottingham, on the 20^th of January 1838. At the age of 19 years, he enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Rochester, in the County of Kent, on the 21^st of January 1857. He was given the regimental number 4692 which he retained throughout his entire service.

Physical Description:

Sergeant Major Hooley's physical description at the time of his discharge shows that he was 5 feet 7 ¾ inches tall, had a fresh complexion, gray eyes, and light brown hair. His trade is listed as a coach builder. His religious denomination is not given.

Medical Information:

His medical record is signed as a blank form in his soldiers documents.

Army Promotion & Education:

Francis Hooley was attested to the 8^th Company, Royal Engineers as a Sapper on the 21^st of January 1857. He would rise through the ranks at a steady rate. He was promoted to 2^nd Corporal on the 1^st of October 1861. On the 1^st of March 1864 he was promoted to Corporal. A little over three years later, on the 9 ^th of August 1867 he was promoted to Sergeant and 3^rd Class Foreman of Works. He would re-engage at Woolwich for 10 years and 155 days on the 19^th of August 1867. Sergeant Hooley was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant and 2^nd Class Military Foreman of Works on the 22 ^nd of November 1871. His final promotion was to Sergeant Major and 1^st Class Military Foreman of Works on the 23^rd of July 1873. He was never tried by Court Martial or listed in the Regimental Defaulters Book during his entire period of service.

Statement of Conduct:

Sapper Hooly received his first Good Conduct Badge on the 1^st of March 1860 and regular good conduct pays throughout his service. At the time of his discharge he was in possession of 2 Good Conduct Badges and was entitled to his 5^th Good Conduct Badges had he not been promoted. He was entitled to his 5^th Good Conduct Badge on the 21^st of January 1878. He was awarded the Long Service Good Conduct Medal in 1875.

Overseas & Campaign Service:

Sergeant Major Hooley's overseas and campaign service includes the following. He served as a Sapper through Corporal in China for 6 years 246 days. While in China he earned China 1860 campaign medal with no bars. He was lucky to have survived the storms, the cold, the illness, and the battles of service in China.

After China service he was to serve in Bermuda for 1 year 330 days. During this period he was employed on engineer works around Bermuda.

Discharge Statement:

Sergeant Major Francis Hooley was discharge on the 30^th of September 1878 at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Kent in consequence of the termination of his second period of limited engagement and having completed 21 years and 268 days service. At the time of discharge his character was, "very good." His intended residence at the time of discharge is listed as 32 Church Road, near Brompton, Kent.

Sergeant Major Hooley's medals include the 2^nd China Medal with no clasp named to, "SAPPER FRANs. HOOLEY. 8^th C. ROYAL ENGrs." and a Victorian Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, 3 ^rd type, named to, "4692 SERGt. MAJ: F. HOOLEY, R.E."

Details of Sergeant Major Hooley's son, 28636 Corporal E.J. Hooley, Royal Engineers:

Few details are known of Sergeant Major Hooley's son, Corporal E.J. Hooley, Royal Engineers. He does not appear to have served in World War I. He did receive the medal for the 3^rd China War with no bar named to, " 28636 CORPL. E. J. HOOLEY, R.E.".