Former Royal Engineer William Appleton is pictured here (standing right) as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London. He held the post from 20 April 1902, replacing Yeoman Warder John Leblique, until his death on 9th October 1908.

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He was born in 1855 in Sonning, Berkshire, he was already a member of the Royal Berkshire Militia when he enlisted into the Army on 7 June 1875, joining the Royal Engineers as No. 13001. Assigned to C Troop (Telegraph) he would see active service during the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), the Egyptian Campaign (1882), and the Gordon Relief Expedition (1884-85).

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He is pictured wearing the 1877-79 South Africa Medal with the “1879” clasp, the Egypt Medal with clasps for “Tel el Kebir”, “The Nile 1884-85”, the bronze Khedive’s Star, and the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

When discharged at Aldershot on the 8th June 1896 he was a Warrant Officer (W0 2) with the 1st Division Telegraph Battalion, Royal Engineers.

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He had married Lydia Averilla Watford (b 1867) on 23 November 1887 at Cronwell, Hants, they had three children: Reginald William Appleton, William Appleton (b 1889, at Crondall, Hampshire), and Frank M. Appleton (b 1893, at Aldershot.)

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The postcard is dated May 29, 1908, on its reverse side, just a few months shy of Appleton’s death.

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The seated Warder has not yet been identified.

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Real Photo Postcard

Gale & Polden, Ltd. – Photographers

London, England

29 May 1908