British Light Infantry Regiments

The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

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The Regimental March

2nd Bn Muster Roll 1885

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DCLI in POW Friederichsfeld

William Clemas, 46th Regiment of Foot

William Clemas was born in Truro, Cornwall circa 1820. He enlisted in the 46th Regiment of Foot at Bodmin, Cornwall in 1839 where he did his initial training.

In 1841 he was stationed at the Cumberland Square Barracks, Stoke Damerel, Devon. It is believed he very shortly afterwards joined the regiment in its tour of duty of Ireland, where he met and married an Irish girl {Mary Ann} and their first child, William, was born in the early 1840s

After a tour of duty in Gibraltar he moved with the 46th to Barbados and St Vincent until 1848. It was in St Vincent that their second child, Charlotte Ann, was born circa 1846. In 1848/9 the 46th moved to Canada and after very short period of just weeks moved to Dover UK. The 46th was scattered to: Liverpool, Chester, Hull, Preston, and Manchester. In 1851, William and his wife were stationed at the Fulwood Barracks, Walton-le-Dale, Preston. In 1852 the he went with the 46th to Ireland, and in 1854 back to England at Windsor. There followed periods of service in:

~ the Crimean War 1854 to 1856.

~ Corfu 1856 to 1858

~ India [Karachi] 1858 to 1868

During this latter period William had three further children:

Margaret b Truro 1860

Edwin b Truro 1862

Sarah b Truro1864

In 1871, he is recorded as living at 10 Wellington Terrace, Falmouth with his wife and daughter Charlotte. He gives his occupation as “Sergeant Milita”. In 1891, aged 71, he was living with his wife in Shoreditch, Hoxton Newton. He gave his occupation as Caretaker. He died in 1894 aged 74. His wife died in 1901 aged 76.

(Peter Clemas Gt Grandson)