William Starkie

Born in 1820 on Drummond Island in Canada, he enlisted as a Private in the 68th Light Infantry at London in 1834, aged 13 years. He served in Gibraltar, Canada and Malta before being promoted to Corporal in 1854. He fought throughout the Crimean War, was made a Sergeant in January 1855 and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in February 1855. He took his discharge in 1859 after 25 years service and moved to Devon, where he became the Permanent Staff Sergeant of the 1st Devon Militia. William Starkie finally retired in 1883, aged 62 years, having served for 48 years in the British Army. He died in April 1905.