PROCEEDINGS OF A REGIMENTAL BOARD, held this day, in conformity to the Articles of War, for the purposes of verifying and recording the Services, Conduct, Character, and cause of Discharge of Private No. 658 William Gurden of the Regiment above mentioned.
THE BOARD having examined and compared the Regimental Records, the Soldier's Book, and other such documents as appeared to them to be necessary, report that William Gurden by Trade a tailor was born in the Parish of Newbury in or near the town of Newbury in the County of Berks and was ATTESTED for the 76th Regiment of foot at Newbury in the County of Berks on the 15 October 1825 at the Age of 16 years that after making every Deduction required by Her Majesty's Regulations, the SERVICE up to this day, which he is entitled to reckon, amounts to ______ years, ______ days, as shown by the detailed Statement on the 2nd page ; during which period he served abroad 9 7/12 years, viz.-
At West Indies and Bermuda 5 10/12 years In Nova Scotia 11/12 years In Ireland Island 2 10/12 yearsAnd further, that his DISCHARGE is proposed in consequence of Disability as set forth in the Medical report in the 3rd page hereof in which the Board fully approve.
With regard to the CHARACTER AND CONDUCT of Private William Gurden the Board have to report, that upon reference to the Defaulters Book, and by Parole testimony that has been given, it appears that He is a soldier of Good Character. He was tried by a District Courts martial at Buttevant 17 Feby 1834 for desertion, convicted & sentenced to imprisonment for 2 months and to be marked with the letter D - latter part rescinded. Again tried by a District Courts Martial at Grenada 14 April 1838 for being drunk at station, convicted and sentenced to be reduced to Private. Again tried by a District Courts Martial at Edinburgh 9 Feby 1847 for neglect of duty when in charge of a ………….. and sentenced to be reduced to Private. Sentence rescinded at the command above 7th Court. Again tried by a Regimental Courts Martial at Zante on 5 Jany 1850 For having been drunk. Convicted and sentenced to be reduced to Private.
MEDICAL REPORT - [In cases of Men to be Discharged as unfit for Service, The Regimental Medical Officer is to state here the nature and origin of the Disability, and whether the same has been caused by the Man's Military Services, by Climate, by Constitutional Infirmity, or Predisposition, or is the result of indulgence in the use of Intoxicating Liquors, or other Vices. If from an Accident, under what circumstances the Accident occurred, and whether on or off Duty. In Ophthalmic Cases, or other Disorders of the Eyes, it must be stated how the disease was contracted, and whether the same was, or was not, prevalent at the time in the Regiment, or at the Station.]
Private William Gurdon of the 76th Regiment labours under chronic rheumatism. A debility which renders him unfit for the Service, his debility commenced at Zante in June 1848 and appears to arise from wet, cold and the effects of climate as also long service. The disabilities therefore cannot be further attributed to intentional neglect, vice or misconduct on his part.
OPINION of the Principal Medical Officer, at Chatham June 25th 1851. After examination I am of opinion that Mr Gurden is unfit for service and likely to be permanently disqualified for Military Duty