| A fine portrait of former Brigade Sergeant-Major Royal Horse Artillery William H. Garlick He wear a single clasp India Mutiny Medal as well as what may be his Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. He held the post of Riding Master at Oxford Military College - a position which is referenced by the "O.M.C." on the reverse of the photograph. He is listed a member of the college's Board of Management in the 1883 edition of Kelly's Directory of Berkshire, Bucks & Oxom. Garlick was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire around 1831. His wife's name was Mary and they had at least four children: Mary Anne (b. abt. 1855), Thomas W. (b. abt. 1862), James (b. abt. 1865) and Henrietta (b. abt. 1867). No. 186 William H. Garlick attested at Birmingham at the age of 23 years 6 months with the No. 1 Battery, R.H.A on 4 October 1854. Gunner - 4 October 1854 Bombardier - 1 February 1856 Corporal - 11 December 1856 Sergeant - 12 July 1858 Battery Sergeant-Major - 20 July 1864 Re-engaged - 15 September 1866 Brigade Sergeant-Major - 30 July 1873 Retired - 23 August 1876 Garlick served overseas in the Crimea from March to April 1856, and in Bengal, India from 8 November 1857 to 21 April 1862. His time in Crimea occurred after the end of that war in February 1856 so he did not earn the Crimean War Medal. His discharge papers state his entitlement to the Indian Mutiny Medal with the clasp for Lucknow and the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal with a £5 gratuity. The documents also state that had he not been promoted he would have been entitled to 5 good Conduct stripes. During his 21 years, 324 days with the colours his name never appeared in the regimental defaulters book nor was he ever tried by court-martial. Cutting an imposing figure and standing a commanding six feet tall Sergeant-Major Garlick might very well have been the personification of the stalwart NCO as portrayed by Nigel Green in the film ZULU. One can almost hear him saying: "All right, nobody told you to stop working." Cabinet Photograph Edward Stilliard - Photographer Oxford, England c. 1870's |
