William Thomas Ashby

Regimental Number 399/73 - William Thomas Ashby enlisted in the 73rd Highlanders at Watford

Founded by Sikander II, the city of Agra was the home of the most prominent fort in Uttar Pradesh and William was here until 1860

William spent the year here patrolling surrounding villages, garrisoning the fort and undertaking training and ceremonial duties

William and the 73rd Highlanders relocated to Delhi after regiments had stabilised the area around the capital and dispersed elsewhere. The duties were to secure the fortification, policing the city and its surrounding villages and facilitating ceremonial duties

William transfers from the 73rd Highlanders to the 1/13th Somerset Light Infantry

William transfers from the Somerset Light Infantry 13th Regiment to 54th Regiment of Foot (West Norfolks)

William transfers from 54th Regiment of Foot West Norfolks to 82nd Regiment of Foot Prince of Wales's Own

William and the 82nd Foot Regiment were stationed in and around Delhi before heading off to Bombay in lieu of their departure for England

William, on returning to the port of Southampton, is admitted to Netley Military Hospital, the largest building in the world at a quarter of a mile long and the largest hospital in the world. He is diagnosed with hepatitus. This condition can be fatal and can cause serious conditions in any future offspring. William's children Ephraim, George and Henry Samuel all died of conditions related to hepatitus

Marriage to Mary Axtell

William is a Grocer's Warehouseman and his wife Mary (Axtell), is a Dress Mantle Maker

Marriage to Eliza Gibbard

William is a messenger for the postal service, operating a route from Chipperfield to Rickmansworth

Thomas is a CS Messenger, this post involved delivering telegrams as described here at the Postal Museum: https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/telegram-messengers/