History of the Royal Sappers and Miners, Volume 2 (of 2) / From the Formation of the Corps in March 1712 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers

1831 Second-corporal Henry Scrafield. From Royal Humane Society. A reward of 2l. for endeavouring to rescue from drowning, five boys who had fallen into the Mulgrave Reservoir at Woolwich.Woolwich. For his spirited and humane conduct on this occasion, he was also promoted to be second-corporal.

1833 Sergeant James Forbes. From the Governor, Royal Military College, Sandhurst. A case of mathematical drawing instruments, “for his intelligence, zeal, and good conduct, in charge of the detachment employed in the field-work instruction at the college for four years.”

1835 Private John Down. From his officers at Chatham. A hold-all, containing a silver knife, fork, and spoon, and useful toilet articles, with an appropriate inscription on a silver plate, “for his gallant conduct in rescuing a comrade, private Thomas Adams, from drowning.”

1835 Sergeant-major James Hilton. From the officers of royal engineers at Woolwich. A purse of 20 sovereigns, and a regimental sword, suitably inscribed, on his promotion to the rank of quartermaster, as a token of their esteem for his services.

1837 Sergeant Hugh Lanyon. FromFrom the Governor of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. A case of mathematical drawing instruments, “for the intelligence, zeal, and uniform good conduct evinced by him in charge of the detachment employed in field-work instruction at the college.”

1838 Sergeant-major Jenkin Jones. By the sergeants of Chatham garrison. A silver tankard, “in testimony of their gratitude for the undeviating attention evinced by him while superintending the formation of a military swimming-bath.”

1838 Second-corporal William Campbell. By the Commissioners of Education in Ireland. A case of mathematical drawing instruments, “in testimony of the intelligence and ability he displayed in teaching surveying and levelling to the inspectors of national schools.”

1838 Corporals William Spry and William Richardson. Gold medals from Sultan Mahmoud II. for service in Constantinople from 1836 to 1838.

1841 Private Henry Entwistle. From the Royal Humane Society. A silver medallion and vellum certificate for courage and humanity, during the pontoon practice on the 30th August, 1841, in plunging into the river Medway, near Rochester Bridge, and at imminent personal risk, rescuing from drowning private Samuel Turner of the corps, who had accidentally fallen overboard, and was unable to swim. Became a sergeant, and died before Sebastopol, 29th November, 1854.

1842 Sergeant-major Jenkin Jones. By the Corporation of the Trinity House. A gold snuff-box “to commemorate the assistance he rendered in the destruction of two wrecks in Sea Reach, by submarine explosions.”

1843 Corporal James Henry Drew. By the Society of Teetotallers. A silver medallion with gold lozenge-shaped coat-of-arms in centre, “as a token of respect for his talented lecture on the principles of total abstinence and Rechabitism, as well as for valuable services as local secretary at Chatham in promoting the cause.” Died from wounds received at the siege of Sebastopol, 22nd November, 1854.

1845 Private Patrick J. Hogan. From H. R. H. Prince Albert. A present of 5l. in admiration of his talents as an artist, as displayed in a beautiful etching of the Victoria Oak, in the Green Park at Windsor. He had previously received the high honour of an audience with the Prince Consort on his presenting to H. R. H. an etching of the Adelaide Oak in the Home Park.

1845 Privates Patrick J. Hogan and Charles Holland. From H. R. H. Prince Albert. Each a case of mathematical drawing instruments, “as a mark of his approbation for merit in the execution of a survey and drawing of Windsor and its vicinity.”

1847 Corporal John Rae. From the Governor of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. A case of mathematical drawing instruments, “for intelligence, zeal, and uniform good conduct in charge of the detachment employed in field-work instruction at the college.” Is now staff-sergeant at the college.

1847 Sergeant James Rainey Mutch. By the members of the Woolwich Literary and Scientific Institution. A silver snuff-box “for his valuable and successful services as secretary to the Institution.” This non-commissioned officer was chief clerk in the Assistant-Adjutant-General’s office at Chatham. His attainments are of a character to make his services very efficient and satisfactory. Having studied in King’s College, Aberdeen, where he graduated M.A., he has a fair knowledge of Greek and Latin, and is well grounded in mathematics. For many years, apart from his military duties, he held the office of secretary to the Woolwich Institution; and to his perseverance and untiring advocacy, it was mainly indebted for continuing so long in existence. When it passed from under his superintendence into other hands, it gradually lost energy and vitality, and, in time, uniting itself to a local speculation, fell to pieces with the insolvency of its new alliance. It should also be mentioned, to his credit, that sergeant Mutch had the honour of originating in Woolwich the movement in favour of the Great Exhibition. By consulting a few leading men, the project received the countenance it merited, and eventually, a meeting to extend the object, the largest demonstration ever known in Woolwich, was held in the riding-school, under the auspices of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Downman, who presided on the occasion.

1847 Private James Peat. Bronze medallion, from the Royal Humane Society, for prompt and intrepid conduct in assisting to rescue from drowning, two gunners of the royal artillery, who had sunk while bathing in St. Mary’s Creek. Private Peat was pontooning at the time.

1849 Privates William Thomas, Daniel Jones, and James Cray. Bronze medallion each, from the Royal Humane Society, “for their noble courage and humanity in endeavouring to rescue from drowning their comrade, private Joseph Cox, who had fallen into the river Medway, on the 26th April, 1849.” The first private, on a previous occasion, had jumped into the Medway after a civilian, and brought the body ashore too late for resuscitation.

1850 Private Robert McDonald. A handsomely-bound Polyglot Bible, from the teachers and children of the village of Elrig, Mochrum, “in token of his Christian benevolence in founding the Sabbath school at Elrig, and conducting it with unwearied labour and at much sacrifice of his limited means and time to its present flourishing condition.” The Bible was presented at a soiree, and Mr. Routledge, on the part of the meeting, “expressed the gratitude felt to private McDonald for having reclaimed so many poor children, and brought them together for a purpose so calculated to promote their interests.”

1851 Colour-sergeant John Carlin. Gold pen and engineering pencil-case, from Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, “for showing himself exceedingly clever in calculations of a rather puzzling nature, and being a most zealous, active, and painstaking non-commissioned officer.”

1852 Sergeant Henry Quodling. By a number of civilians at York. A case of professional instruments, “was a token of their affectionate regard on his leaving England for Van Diemen’s Land.” It was presented to him at a dinner provided by the subscribers; “and it must,” writes the ‘Yorkshire Gazette’ of June 12, 1852, “be highly gratifying to the members of the corps connected with the ordnance survey in the city, to find that their general conduct has been such, as to win for them the respect of the citizens of York.”

1854 Sergeant Benjamin Castledine. From the Governor of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. A case of mathematical drawing instruments, “for intelligence, zeal, and uniform good conduct in charge of the detachment employed in the field-work instruction at the college.”

1855 Quartermaster Michael Bradford. From the non-commissioned officers of the corps at Woolwich. An elegant double-handled silver goblet, “as a mark of regard and esteem.”

1855 Sergeant-major James Steel and Quartermaster-sergeant B. Keen Spencer. Each a present of 10l. from Prince Albert, “as a mark of H.R.H.’s approval of their attention and care in making the survey of Osborne.”

1856 Quartermaster Michael Bradford. From Captains Theodosius Webb, G. Ross, F. E. Cox, Fitzroy Somerset, and Lieutenant G. R. Lempriere, R.E. A regimental sword, “as a mark of their regard and esteem for his character and conduct.” He was the sergeant-major at head-quarters, while the officers who made the presentation successively filled the appointment of Acting Adjutant.

1856 Staff-sergeant James Rainey Mutch. From “inhabitants of Woolwich.” A neat silver tea-service of three pieces, “in grateful acknowledgment of the eminent services he has rendered to the Literary and Scientific Institution, the Mutual Benefit Building Society, and other associations, having for their object the benefit of the community.” The service was handed to sergeant Mutch by Richard Pidcock, Esq., the church-warden, at a public meeting of the subscribers. Mr. Mutch has since been promoted to be Quartermaster in the Corps.