My ancestors the Bussicott’s served in the British army in the 19th century. Their military history can be traced under each of them below, but in summary:

I discovered William Bussicotts service in Spain and actually visited the  battlefield at Barrosa, near Cadiz, where he was shot and wounded on 5th March 1811.

Inland scene from the battlefield

Barossa Tower

Me at Barossa Tower. A lot more relaxed than my ancestor

This battle is the background of one of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels, ‘Sharpe’s Fury’.

William had two sons who were both soldiers.

One, James Bussicott, fought in India, the Crimea and Spain.

The other, John Bussicott, had a rather more chequered career, which resulted in a court-martial in Gibraltar. However, in 1842 he fought in China during the Opium Wars. He was severely wounded during this time and awarded a medal.