Medals of Quarter Master Sergeant John Masterson.
Photograph and Uniform Details.
Quarter Master Sergeant John Masterson shows the following dates of rank, campaign service, and army appointments related to his 25 years 154 days (1857-1883) service in the British Army:[1]
John Masterson was born in the Parish of Liverpool, near the Town of Liverpool, in the County of Lancashire, in July of 1847. His next of kin are not listed.
He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons at Dublin, Ireland on the 12th of November 1857. He was assigned the regimental number 82. His age was 18 years and 3 months and he was listed as a druggist assistant by trade.
At the time of enlistment he is described as 6 feet 1 ½ inches tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He is also shown as having an anchor tattooed on his left arm. His religious denomination is not listed.
Private Masterson was to advance in rank at a fairly rapid pace. He received his 1st Good Conduct pay on the 12th of November 1860. He was promoted to Corporal on the 16th of May 1861, and to Sergeant on the 12th of April 1864. On the 29th of March, 1864 he is mentioned in the General Order No 845 for his, "gallant conduct exhibited, on the occasion of the explosion of the Magazine at Birmingham" on the Tuesday the 8th of March 1864. He was promoted to Troop Sergeant Major on the 11th of January 1866. At Dublin, Ireland on the 19 th of August 1867, he re-engaged to complete 21 years service. On the 11th of March 1878 he was promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant. In slightly over 8 years he had risen from Recruit to Troop Sergeant Major. Remarkably, his entire service was spent in the British Isles. On the 29 th of September 1879, he was appointed to the permanent staff of the of the East Lothian Yeomanry Cavalry as a Staff Sergeant.
He was to qualify for a 5th Good Conduct Badge on the 12 th of November 1878. His name never appeared in the Regimental Defaulters Book and he was never tried by Court Martial. He was in possession of a 1 st Class Education Certificate and the Long Service Good Conduct Medal. After completing service to the 22nd of March 1883, he took his discharge with a total of 25 years and 154 days service to the Colours.
At the time of his discharge his intended place of residence was shown as Edinburgh, Scotland.