User:Dumelow/Timothy Gowing

Gowing, pictured in Colchester in his late career wearing the rank insignia of a sergeant major in the 7th Fusiliers

Sergeant-Major Timothy Gowing (1834–1908) was a soldier of the Royal Fusiliers who wrote a memoir (A Soldier's Experience or a Voice from the Ranks) of his service, including active service in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny.

1834-1908, rank of Sgt Major. Woundd at the Battle of Inkerman. His memoir is unusual for being written by an enlisted man, not an officer. Was treated near Inkerman for two days then sent to the hospital at Scutari. They arrived via mules to Balaclava and then by steamship. He witnessed many of his wounded companions died en route, with little medical attention. He recovered and returned to duty. He subseuquently described the wet and muddy condition of the army camps, hunger from being on poor quality half rations, and lack of medical supplies at the front .

Born 5 April 1834 in Halesworth, Suffolk.

Moved with family to Norwich around 1839.

Present, as a sergeant, at the capture of Sevastopol "the sights on all sides melted to tears many veterans who had resolutely stormed the heights of Alma". Was not in favour of allying with the Ottoman Empire, "we were going out to defend a rotten cause, a race that almost every Christian despise"

Onbe of the "few men sufficiently low in rank to have lived the life of the ordinary fighting soldier, yet of sufficient education to have written an intelligible account of their experiences". Son of a Baptist minister. Six foot tall and strong - his party trick was to tear a pack of playing cards in half.

Son of John Gowing. Attested at Norwich for the 7th Royal Fusiliers 28 September 1854, hist state doccupation at that point was shoemanker. Promoted corporal 19 December 1854, sergeant 29 January 1855, colour sergeant 1 September 1861. Re-engaged at Ferozepore 3 May 1864, promoted sergeant major 26 July 1866. Was tried at a court martial 3 September 1869 and reduced in rank to sergeant. The same year seven of his eight children died in a single day from cholera and his wife nearly died, the court martial may be connected to events surrounding this. Transferred 1/5 Fusiliers 24 December 1869, to unattached list 17 January 1870, promoted sergeant 17 January 1871, Garrison Sergeant Major 1 September 1872. Had three good conduct badges, and would have had four wer eit not for promotion. Crimean Medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol. Turkish War Medal and Indian War Medal (clasp for Umbeyla). Wounded in the head and hand in the storming of the Redan 8 September 1855. Applied for discharge at Allahabd on 22 February 1876 and discharged at Netly 13 June, was serving in the 5th Foot at the time.

Was fascinated by the military and enlisted following the events of the Russo-Turkish War of 1853-54. Trained in Manchester and Winchester before being deployed to Crimea in June 1854, as Britain and France had since joined the war against Russia. After wounding recovered in a hospital in Malta. After Crimea was sent to tIndia to fight in the Mutiny. Regimental drill sergeant 1858. Married 1858, had twelve children. Wife died later died in India and he returned home on retirement with only two surviving children. Gowing lived in Southport, remaiired and had a further seven children. Second wife died 1890. Married again to Elizabeth, who survived him. After Southport lived in Lancashire and Yorkshire. His A Soldier's Experience or a Voice from the Ranks was first published privately and sold in Lancashire, it was his sole income besides his army pension of 2 shillings and 6 pence a day. Died 3 February 1908.

He describes landing with the first troops at Kalamita Bay on 14 September 1854 and spending the night ashore, drenched in rain and ill equipped to withdtand any Russian attack. Describes crossing the river and attacking the Russian-held heights at the Battle of the Alma 20 September, on the route to Sevastapol, in which he said the regiment lost half its strength. During the siege of Sevastopol he describes helping to haul the siege guns into position and diggings trenches and battery positions. Did not fight at the 25 October Battle of Balaclava but stated he was on the field, carrying blankets for the sick and wounded and witnessed the Charge of the Heavy Brigade and Charge of the Light Brigade. He was unarmed but claimed that had he a rifle he would likely have joined the defence of the thin red line. He instrad received orders from the assistant quartermaster-general to assist in removing the wounded of the Heavy Brigade from the field. Present at the 26 October "Battle of Little Inkerman", a small-scale attack by the Russians on a British artillery position defended by the fusiliers and other regiments. Fought in the Battle of Inkerman amd said he witnessed Sir Thomas Troubridge continuing to lead the fusiliers despite losing both feet to a cannon shot. Said he was wounded in both thighs by Russian bayonet thrusts and left the field to seek aid. Remained in a field hospital for two days then went via mule to Balaclava where he travelled by steam ship for 4-5 days to Scutari. Was not permitted to land there as the hospital was full so went on to Malta where he praised the treatment he received. Had recovered sufficiently to want to be posted away by January 1855 but reamined there another month. Took the opportunity to purchase winter clothing for himself and comrades. Arrived Balaclava 8 March 1855. He recalls meeting the evangelical army officer Hedley Vicars of the 97th Regiment and attended a prayer meeting with him. Gowing fought to repulse the Russian sortie on the night of 22 March, that led to Vicars' death. Fought in the April 1855 capture of the Russian rifle pits. Also the June 1855 capture and defence of the quarries. During this action he recommended Gunner Thomas Arthur for a gallantry award for carrying ammunition to the fusiliers, he later received the Victoria Cross. Took part in the 18 June unsuccessful attack on the Malakoff and Great Redan and claimed to have received nine bullet holes in his uniform, without wounding. Visited the battlefield on the evening after the Battle of the Chernaya and assisted wounded French soldiers, whilst being fired upon by Russian artillery. Helped defend the Allied trenches against a Russian attack on 30 August, During a reconnaissance on the Redan commanding a party of men many of them were shot by British soldiers when retreating back to the trench ahead of a Russian attack. DONE TO CHAPTER IV

His memoirs are interspersed with poems (his own and others) and letters he wrote in the field.

TO CHAPTER IV

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46989/46989-h/46989-h.htm