| 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 a additional smaller unidentified 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 1st 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 Long Service & 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 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 |
