PRIVATE ROBERT STERLING SAULL

2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps (60th Rifles)

By Guy Barker

This article was originally published in the December 2010 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society

Robert Sterling Saull was the son of Robert Sterling Saull and Sarah Lewis who were married on 25 January 1830 at Holy Trinity, Marylebone Road, Westminster (ref 1).

Their children were: (ref 2)

Robert Sterling born circa 1831 St Pancras, Middlesex; baptised 6 February 1831 at Holy Trinity. (Ref 3)

Isabella Mary born circa 1832 St Pancras, Middlesex; baptised 18 November 1832 at Holy Trinity

George William born circa 1834 St Pancras, Middlesex; baptised 12 January 1834 at Holy Trinity.

Mary born circa 1836 St Pancras, Middlesex.

James Lendrick born circa 1838 St Anns, Middlesex; baptised 1 April 1838 at Holy Trinity. Married circa 1864 St Pancras. (Ref 4)

Elizabeth born circa September 1840 St Anns, Middlesex; baptised 6 September 1840 at Holy Trinity.

William born circa 1848 St Anns, Middlesex.

In 1839 Robert S Saull is listed as an engraver at 8 Earl’s Court, Leicester Square, London in Pigot & Co’s: A Directory of London and its Suburbs. (Ref 5)

The 1841 English Census for the family shows: (Ref 6)

Address	Earl’s Court, St Anne Soho, Westminster
Name	Relationship	Condition	Age		Profession	Where Born
Name	Relationship	Condition	M	F	Profession	Where Born
Robert Saull			35		Engraver	Ireland
Sarah				30		Middlesex
Robert			10			Middlesex
Isabella				8		Middlesex
George			7			Middlesex
Mary				5		Middlesex
James			3			Middlesex
Elizabeth				9m		Middlesex

Robert Sterling Saull, Senior appears to have died after the birth of his son, William, who was born circa 1847 or 1848 as Sarah is described as a widow in 1851:

The 1851 English Census for the family shows: (Ref 7)

Address	7 Little Albany St North, Marylebone, Middlesex
Name	Relationship	Condition	Age		Profession	Where Born
Name	Relationship	Condition	M	F	Profession	Where Born
Sarah Saul	Head	W		41	Seamstress	St Pancras, Middlesex
Robert Saul	Son		20		Printer	St Pancras, Middlesex
Isabella Saul	Daur			19	Servt	St Pancras, Middlesex
George Saul	Son		17		Printer	St Pancras, Middlesex
Mary Saul	Daur			15	Servt	St Pancras, Middlesex
James Saul	Son		13		Errand Boy	St Ann's, Middlesex
Elizabeth Saul	Daur			10	Scholar	St Ann's, Middlesex
William Saul	Son		3			St Ann's, Middlesex

The British Army Service Records of Private Robert [Sterling] Saull indicate that he was born on 12 September 1836 as calculated from the termination of “Boy’s Service” on 11 September 1854 in his Discharge Records. (Ref 8) However there is a 5 year discrepancy in that he was baptised in 1831 which is quite substantial as he actually enlisted at the age of 22 years.

His Military Service from 7 September 1852 to 15 July 1862 in the 1^st or Royal East Middlesex Regiment of Militia and 2^nd Battalion 60^th Regiment of Royal Rifles is detailed as per the transcribed records.

Shortly after his discharge Robert Sterling Saull was married to Caroline Yeo by J.F. Kitts on 14 September 1862 at St Pancras Church in the Parish of St Pancras, Middlesex. The marriage was witnessed by Robert Waite and Caroline Taylor. Robert is described as a Bachelor, of full age, a Printer, resident at Albany Street and the son of Robert Sterling Saull, Dead. Caroline is described as a Spinster, resident at Little Albany Street North and daughter of James Yeo, Dead. (Ref 9)

The Census Records for 1871 and 1881 also give inconsistent ages for Robert:

The 1871 English Census shows: (ref. 10)

Address	William St, Pancras, London, Middlesex
Name	Relationship	Condition	Age		Profession	Where Born
Name	Relationship	Condition	M	F	Profession	Where Born
Robert Saull	Head	M	38		Printer	Marylebone Middlesex
Caroline Saull	Wife	M		40	Dressmaker	Marylebone Middlesex
Charles Morgan	Nephew		10		Errand Boy	St Ann's Middlesex

Details of Robert Saull's Military Career:

46143		W.O. Form 83.
HER MAJESTYS			2^nd Battn 60 REGT OF Royal Rifles
Whereof Lt. Gen. Sir W.G. Moore KCB. is Colonel.
[Place and Date] Portsmouth 18^th June 1862 PROCEEDINGS OF A REGIMENTAL BOARD, held this day, in conformity to the Articles of War, for the purpose of verifying and recording the Services, Conduct, Character, and cause of Discharge of No. 3487, Pte Robert Saull of the Regiment above-mentioned. President BD Col D D Winter
Capt. the Hon: A Liddele	Members		Capt. Farquharson
THE BOARD having examined and compared the Regimental Records, the Soldier’s Book, and such other Documents as appeared to them to be necessary, report that Private Robert Saull by Trade a Printer was BORN in the Parish of St Marylebone in or near the TOWN of London in the County of Middlesex and was ATTESTED for the 2^nd. Bn. 60’ Regiment of Royal Rifles at Westminster in the County of Middlesex on the 12’ June 1854 at the Age of 17 years & 9 months that after making every deduction required by Her Majesty’s Regulations, the SERVICE up to this day, which he is entitled to reckon, amounts to Six years, 185 days, as shown by the detailed Statement on the 2^nd page; during which period he served abroad 5 4/12 years, viz, At Cape of Good Hope _________________________2 1/12 years; In East Indies _________________________________1 8/12 years; “ China ______________________________________ 1 7/12 and further, that his DISCHARGE is proposed in consequence of Medical disability
[In cases of Disability, the Regimental Medical Officer will write his Report on the 3^rd page hereof.]		As shewn on the 3^rd page hereof
With regard to the CHARACTER and CONDUCT of Pte Robert Saull the BOARD have to report that upon reference to the Defaulter’s Book, and by the Parole testimony that has been given, it appears that
[Here insert Character, G.C. Badges, and other Honorary Distinctions, as required by Adjutant General’s Circular Letter, 29^th September, 1838, and Circular of 27^th August, 1855.]		his Character & Conduct have been good
[Here give particulars relating to Courts Martial, required by Circular of 5^th March, 1859, No. 156.]		Once tried by Court Martial
		Little Albany Street, North Regents Park

Pte Robert Saull being asked to what date he has been paid, answered, that his Account is balanced up to the latest period required by the Regulations; and being further asked whether he has any claim on the Regiment for Arrears of PAY, ALLOWANCES, or CLOTHING, answered that he has received all just demands, from his entry into the Service up to the 18 June 1862 and in confirmation therefore, affixes his signature hereto. Robt Saull I acknowledge this to be true. Witness R.C. Robinson Esq Commanding the Company to which he belongs. THE Board have ascertained that Pte Robert Saull’s Soldier’s Book is correctly balanced, and signed by the Officer Commanding his Company, and they declare, that they have impartially inquired into, and faithfully reported upon, all the matters brought before them, in accordance with the Regulations and Instructions issued by Her Majesty’s Orders. [Additional Paragraph applicable in cases of Discharge by Purchase.] D D Winter BD Col President Arthur Liddele Capt} Members V Farquharson Capt
Detailed Statement of the Services of Robert Saull
Regiment	Promotions, Reductions, &c.	Rank	Period of Service in each Rank			Amount of Service
			From		To	Years	Days
60’ Rifles	Attested	Private	12 June 1854		11 Septr 1854	under	age
		do.	12 Septr		16 March 1855	-	186
	Deserted 17 March 1855		Rejoined 12 Septr 1855			-	-
	In Confinement		13 Septr 1855		15 Decr 1855	-	-
	Deduct forfeited by Conviction of desertion					-	186
	Released	Private	16 Decr 1855		31 March 1857	1	106
	Total Service allowed to 31 March 1857 One year and One hundred & six days Sg Jas Douglas Major 2 / 60^th Rifles
		Private	1 April 1857		18 June 1862	5	79
	GC Pay 1d	18 March 1861
	Forfeited GCP 1d	3 Jany 1862
		Total of the foregoing Statement				6	185
Further Service from the 19^th June 1862 to the 15^th July 1862 when finally discharged							27
		Total Service allowed to reckon to the final day of discharge				6	212
The foregoing Report is hereby confirmed by me				[Signature] Lt Col. Commanding 2/60 Regt of Rl Rifles

MEDICAL REPORT. – [In cases of Men to be Discharged as unfit for Service, the Regimental Medical Officer is to state here the nature and origin of the Disability, and whether the same has been caused by the Man’s Military Services, by Climate, by Constitutional Infirmity, or Predisposition, or is the result of indulgence in the use of Intoxicating Liquors, or other Vices. If from an Accident, under what circumstances the Accident occurred, and whether on or off Duty. In Ophthalmic Cases, or other Disorders of the Eyes, it must be stated how the Disease was contracted, and whether the same was or was not prevalent at the time in the Regiment, or at the Station.]

Pte Robert Saul 2/60 Rifles is afflicted with Hyperterplesy [Hyperplasia] of the heart, to such an extent as to prevent him performing any kind of Active duty, he was first attacked with the disease while a Recruit in 1855 and since that state he has been gradually getting worse. Climate has had a great deal to do with his disability as he has served in the Cape, India & China, he has not been noted for Intemperance or Vice.

Signed J. Cunningham Major

Surgeon 60 Rifles

OPINION of the Principal Medical Officer at Chatham June 24 1862

Having examined Private Robert Saull I am of opinion he is unfit for further Service from Organic disease of the Heart.

Sd. Jameson

Dr. Sn. Gen.

Horse Guards, 15^th July 1862.

THE DISCHARGE of the Man above mentioned is approved by the General Commanding-in-Chief.

J.J. Ji’dy AAG

Note: Dr Gunther

Heart’s Action excessive with a Bruit

T 80.548 25/1/64

87,844 24/9/-

W.O. Form 83.
FINAL DESCRIPTION Of Pte Robert Saull 0f the 2/60 Regt. of R Rifles when discharged the Service at Chatham this 15’ day of July 1862. Age 25 years & 10 months Height 5 Feet 6 Inches Complexion Fresh Eyes Grey Hair Brown Trade Printer Marks or Scars, whether on the Face or other parts of the Body Intended Place of Residence No 9 Little Albany Street, North Regent’s Park. London
Correspondence Records
F. 80 548. A35 to 2 W London S.O.	26/1/64
F. 81.918 6 ofn S 4’ Months enqr	B 51.3.64 No13
-87,844 Comp A21	3.10.64
I 53806 D.P. A44	23.11.91
I 70652 D.P. A7	13.3.93

Robert Saull

Sarah

Robert

Isabella

George

Mary

James

Elizabeth

Sarah Saul

Robert Saul

Isabella Saul

George Saul

Mary Saul

James Saul

Elizabeth Saul

William Saul

Robert Saull

Caroline Saull

Charles Morgan