On the 31st December 1840 a Magistrate approved John Bussicott to join the army and John duly signed the Oath of Allegiance on that day in Chatham. In this Attestation he confirmed his details as being born in Greenwich, aged 22 years and 3 months, his trade was a labourer and he was unmarried and in good health.

(Note: We have the record that he was born on 15th July 1816 which would make him 24 years and 3 months)

He was at the time described as 5 foot 5 ¾ inches tall, fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

He was enlisted at 9.30 p.m. on 29th December 1840 by Sergeant James Turner into the 55th Regiment of Foot.

When asked “For what Bounty do you enlist?” he agreed to 3 pounds 19 shillings and sixpence (presumably a year?)

When he signed up he was given two shillings and sixpence by the Magistrate. A Surgeon’s certificate gave a clear medical condition.

In the first Census in April 1841, John, then aged 25, was with his brother James (aged 15) and they were soldiers based in Chatham with over 3,000 other soldiers. This suggests that probably both brothers were ready for sailing. In John’s case this was to China where he fought in the Opium Wars and distinguished himself and earned a medal. John had an interesting and varied 13 years in the army as Private No 1797, including a Court Martial for being absent and losing his boots and shirt, and was eventually discharged in Gibraltar in November 1853. He was on charge often from 1844. For details of his soldier’s career and escapades please see his Soldier Record.