Soldiers of the Regiment
Ensign James Gardiner
Ensign James Gardiner, the 4th Regiment of Foot, was
arraigned upon the under-mentioned charge, viz.
‘For absenting himself from the army, and quitting this country, about
the month of December 1813, without leave, and not joining his
battalion, until about the 5th of April, 1814, to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, and in breach of the Articles of War.’
Upon which charge the Court came to the following decision:
The Court, having maturely and deliberately considered the evidence
brought forward in support of the prosecution, as well as what the
prisoner, Ensign Gardiner, has said in his defence, is of opinion that
the prisoner, Ensign Gardiner, is Guilty of the crime alleged against
him, being in breach of the Articles of War, and do, therefore, sentence
the said Ensign Gardiner, of the 4th Regiment of Foot, to be
dismissed His Majesty’s service. The Court cannot close its
proceedings, without strongly recommending the prisoner to the clemency
of the Commander of the Forces, in consequence of his youth and
inexperience, having only joined the 4th Regiment three weeks prior to
the action of the 10th and 11th December, in which he was severely
wounded.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been pleased, in the name and
on the behalf of His Majesty, to approve and confirm the finding and
Sentence of the Court; and the Commander in Chief directs, that the
charge preferred against Ensign Gardiner, of the 4th Regiment of Foot,
together with the finding and Sentence of the Court, shall be read at
the head of every corps, and entered in the general order book.
By command of HRH the Commander in Chief. Harry Calvert, Adj. Gen.
Reproduced from a contemporary account in the museum's
collection.
In the museum's collection: Military General Service
Medal with bars ‘Nivelle’ and ‘Nive’ to Ensign James Gardiner, 4th Foot,
Accession Number: KO1023/04
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are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display
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our collections which are held in store.
