Famous Fusilier: Captain James Aylett

Related: Battle of Inkerman

James saw action in the Battle of Inkerman

Famous Fusiliers

Take a look at some of the famous (or infamous!) Fusiliers

Captain James Aylett of the British 20th Regiment

From "The Caledonian society" - Grave of Captain James Aylett

Old Athol House Cemetery, Atholville Buried in the Old Athol House Cemetery behind the pulp mill is Captain James Aylett of the 20th Regiment (Lancashire Fusiliers), a decorated veteran of the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. Aylett was born in India, the son of a British soldier.

As was the custom of the time, young James was sent to England for his education and upon completion his father bought him a commission in the British army. During his long service he was stationed with his Regiment in India, England, Ireland, Bermuda, Crimea, Nova Scotia and central Canada. Aylett met his Irish born wife, a Miss Torrent, while in England and married her while stationed in Bermuda.

As noted on his grave marker, he saw action in the Crimean battles of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, winning four clasps to his campaign medal and a Turkish decoration. In India, he saw action at the Battles of Chanda, Ameerpore, Sultanpore and Lucknow. Amazingly, throughout it all, he escaped unwounded.

When it came time to retired, he opted to return to North America, where he bought 1,000 acres with valuable salmon fishing right on the Restigouche River, four miles from Matapedia. He also received a land grant at Tide Head where he took up farming. According to the 1881 census, Captain Aylett and his family were living in Campbellton. He died in 1882 at the age of 66.

"From the owner of the medals"

There can't of course be two James Aylett's in the 20th at this period. So we have to reconcile the differences. The Caledonian society's account differs in part with the UK's national archives and I know which I prefer! The society's account does tally as regards "my" Aylett's military history.

But:-

[1] - doubt a drummer boy was sent to England for his education.

[2] Said Drummer-boy's father wouldn't/couldn't have bought him a Commission.

[3] "My" Aylett received his leg-up from Qr. Master Sgt to Commissioned Rank at the recommendation of Colonel Frederick Horn [Lt. Col. of the XX] in January 1855 - in the Crimea. Aylett was initially recom. for the rank of Ensign. Then changed his mind! He preferred the rank of Quarter-Master. Wonder what Colonel Horn made of that?

[4] James Aylett married a Sarah Louisa TARRANT not Torrent. The London Gazette Jun. 30th 1865 records Q.M. Aylett's retirement., stating he was to have the honorary rank of Captain.

I have a theory which may explain the above differences. When James Aylett uprooted his family and moved to the Canadian wilds, he embroidered his humble upbringing to render himself into the archeyptical "Officer and a Gentleman." For he was now a Gentleman farmer and soon to be appointed Commander of the local Militia. This rewriting of history has then been passed down the generations to become accepted "fact." In otherwords the usual curse of family history.

The naming on the medals is as follows. QUEENS CRIMEA 1854 [Qr. Master J. Aylett XX Regt.] INDIAN MUTINY 1857 [Qr. Mr. J. Aylett 1st. Bn. 20th. Regt.], LONG SERVICE & GC. [with unofficial bar] - J. Aylett 20th Regt. 11th May 1854 No. 806 Qr.Mr.. Serjt., TURKISH CRIMEA [BRITISH ISSUE] -unnamed

Further Research

Hi Joe, I am pleased that you were able to contact me, given my history of email address changes.

I certainly can share some information on James Aylett (which I understand to be pronounce “Eye Lett”) and his wife Sarah Tarrant. It looks like you have gathered some research – giving the military record and recommendation for QM. and the picture of his medals. I too have seen the Caledonian Society report and the error in the spelling of Tarrant. Marriage: WO76 vol.141 – shows his service record with reference to his marriage. (LDS 0917114) attached

Promotions/Notes: - 1855: War Office Feb 9: 20th foot -To be Lieutenants, without purchase - Quartermaster-Sergeant James Aylett to be Quartermaster, vice Bilham, who retires upon Half-Pay, Feb. 9. (United Service Magazine, 1855 page 500) - 1859: 29th foot: Quartermaster James Aylett, from the 20th Foot, to be Quartermaster, vice Smith, who exchanges. Dated 23rd March, 1859. (Bulletins and other state intelligence compiled and arranged from the ... 1860, p 1274-5) - 1863: 29th Foot, Curragh, depot - Preston. Q Master James Aylett, appointment 9 Feb '55 (served 9 years). Footnote: Qr. Master Aylett served with the 20th Regiment throughout the Eastern Campaign of 1854-5 including the Battles of A__ & Inkerman, siege & fall of Sebastopol, and affair of the 18th June (medal, clasps, and Turkish Medal). Also the Indian Campaign of 1857-58 including actions at Churda, Umeerpore, & Sutanpore, in Oude, & affairs of Chudra, & fort of Musjeedia. (New Army List, 1863, p 184) - 1865-7-3: Army Promotions - Quartermaster J Aylett h.p. late 29th foot, to have Hon. rank of Captain. (Gazette June 30, War Office, Manchester Guardian) - As of Jan 30 1866 was on half-pay as Captain, late 29th, quartermaster. (1867, 1868 and 1869 Army Lists).

Arrived in Canada 1873. [my additions or comments in parenthesis] 1873 - 9 June: arrived aboard "Prussian" at Quebec, embarkation at Londonderry, from Liverpool. Jas Aylett 56, md, male Sarah, 48, md, wife , 19, spinster, female [Sarah Louisa] Aug, 7, male [Augustus] C-4528 National Archives found at Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, at Ancestry.ca Ship Name: Prussian Years in service: 1869-1898 Funnels: 1 Masts: 3 Shipping Line: Allan (British)

Census: 1861 census: Foot Regiment 29 North Camp Farnborough, Surrey, England. Note that birth locations for children were double checked on the census; other sources suggest alternate location as noted in [ ] Aylett, James, head, md, 44, Quarter Master, born Ireland Aylett, Sarah Louise, w, md, 34, born Ireland Aylett, Catherine, daughter, unm, 14, scholar, born Ireland* Aylett, Alice Mary, daughter, unm, 9, scholar, born Bermuda* Aylett, Sarah Louisa, daughter, unm, 7, scholar, born Montreal Aylett, George, son, unm, 3, born Aldershot Hants Shair, Mary, servant, unm, 19, Sevant, born __? Surrey. [*Catherine was born 16 Mar 1847 & baptised at St John's Church, Hamilton, Bermuda 11 April 1847. [* Alice Mary was born 2 July and baptized 1 Sept 1851 at the Garrison Church, Montreal.]

1871 census: at 20 Grange Park, Croydon, Surrey England James Aylett, head, 54, Captain, retired from Infantry, born Ireland, Leitrim Sarah L., wife, 46, born Ireland, Mallow Alice M. dau, 19, born Canada, Montreal Sarah L., dau, 17, unm., scholar, born Canada, Montreal George T., son, born 13, born Aldershot, South Camp, scholar Richard AW, son 5, scholar, born Ireland, Lucan.

1881 Census (Parish of Addington, Restigouche, New Brunswick, Canada) James AYLETT M Male English 64 Ireland Farmer Church of England Sarah Louisa AYLETT Female Irish 56 Ireland Church of England Sarah Louisa AYLETT Female English 22 England* Church of England Richard A. W. EYLETT Male English 15 Ireland Church of England George Tarrant EYLETT Male English 23 England Farmer Church of England [*Sarah, born 7 May 1853, was baptised in the Garrison Church, Montreal 2 June 1853]

Land Grants in New Brunswick: - Captain James Aylett, granted lots 12 & 13 in the 1st Range, South Madepedia (Township of Madapedia, Bonaventure County) 204 acres, 16 April 1875. - Legal Rep of James Aylett, granted southwest part of lot 10 in the 1st Range, South Madepedia (Township of Madapedia, Bonaventure County) 54 acres, 17 Jan 1883 (Sessional Papers (Province of Quebec), no 6, 1888, page 322.)

House in Tide Head, New Brunswick– built circa 1872 by James Aylett – referred to as the Glebe by his wife. I have a recent picture of the house.

Obit: - At the Glebe, Tide Head, Restigouche, N.B. on the 21st May 1882 of congestion of the lungs, and at age of 66 years. Captain James Aylett formerly of HM 20th, late of the 29th Regiment and who served in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny. (St John Daily Sun, Mon May 22, 1882. Same entry in St John Daily Eve News, May 25.)

- DIED: "My dear Husband - James Aylett died at his residence "the Glebe", Tide Head, on Sunday, the 21st May, 1882, half past two P.M. of an inflammation of the lungs after two days illness." (Family bible)

Last Will – James Aylett, No 806, Quarter master Serjeant of the 20th Regiment of Foot, was written 5 July 1854, within days of Aylett’s embarking for Crimea. He directed that his wife, then School Mistress of the Depot 20th Regiment, was to receive his whole estate, after paying his debts and funeral expenses. Witnesses were William Robertson __ Major, 20th __ (Esq?) and Patrick Geraght (?) Cr Serjt 20th Regt. Edward Howard declared “I was present at eh execution of the Will, and that James Aylett No. 806 Quarter master Serjeant 20th Regiment the Testator, was at the time in a fit state of mind to execute the same” [signature] Edward Howard, Surgeon 20th Regt.