TOPIC:

Hi, I'm researching the SEDMAN family tree. Most of the family come from the area in North Yorkshire - Hackness, Hinderwell, Robin Hoods Bay and Malton. Tee person I'm trying to find out about is Pte Thomas Walker Sedman. He was the illegitimate son of Ann Sedman (b.1828 Hinderwell d.28/05/1871 Malton) and Thomas Walker (One of the sons of a Lord Caldecott, in whose service Ann was a maid).
Thomas Walker Sedman (b. 28/07/1849 Pickering) ran away when he was 12 and became a boy soldier in 21st Lancers. When he was 18 he enlisted in 6th Regiment of Dragoons. They were based for many years in Ireland at Dundalk, where Thomas married and had children. I have a Baptismal certificate (extracted from the 6th Regiment of Dragoons, Registry of Baptisms, Page 7)

for one of the children - dob 2nd May 1875, Dundalk 8th August 1875, Christian Name= Alice Ann, Parents - Thomas & Mary Ann Sedman, Rank - Private. I do not know his army service number, but I have been told by anther family member that the last entry in his service book was 04/03/1889, and this is about 8 years after the 1st Boer War and 10 years before the 2nd Boer War. If the date event was his demob, then did his regiment remove from Ireland to Africa to assist the British in both Boer Wars? I have a photo of a soldier in what I believe is a Boer War uniform, but have no evidence that it belongs to Thomas!

Welcome aboard!

He has some service papers on FindMyPast.co.uk

He served 12 years with the 6th Inniskilling (service number 920), being discharged on 16-Dec-1879.

He then joined the 21st Hussars in Leeds on 6-Mar-1880 (service number 1928), and was discharged 5-Mar-1889, having completed 21 years total service (Dragoons and Hussars).

All his service (17-Dec-1867 to 5-Mar-1889) was "Home" (i.e. not Africa, India, etc.), and his record shows no campaign medals. He did an Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal in April 1886, it appears. His sole medal entitlement. Not sure about the boy soldier part, looks like he joined the 6th at age 18.

So, to answer original question, no active service in first Boer War, and retired not serving during second Boer War (at least according to the papers I found).

Can you post the picture? Roughly what age is the person in the picture? Could it be a son?

Nick

All,

CPL_AWF and I have been corresponding offline. He was having difficulty getting the photo uploaded, so I've done it below. The age may be right for Thomas Sedman (although this person looks a little older than their early 50s).

Based on another thread, I am assuming the photo was taken in 1901 during the mourning period for Queen Victoria's death (the black armband), but am happy to be corrected.

Anyone any thoughts on what unit this might be a uniform for?

Thanks,
Nick