A fine pair of surviving 19th Century British Army Warrants of Appointment to be a Quartermaster and later an Honorary Captain issued in the name of William Mullins, originally of Kilmonaghan, near the town of Moat, in County Westmeath, Ireland, and a testament to his exemplary career. Mullins saw service in the ranks of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot from March 1844 through to July 1863, during which period he saw service in the Australian Colonies when on garrison duty in Sydney, Hobart and South Australia between July 1845 and February 1858. When a Sergeant Major, he was then commissioned as a Quartermaster into his regiment in July 1863, he was still in service at the time of the re-organisation of the army, and was ultimately promoted to Honorary Captain in August 1881.
British Army Warrant of Appointment to be a Quartermaster in the ‘Eleventh Regiment of Foot’, as issued in the name of ‘William Mullins, Gentleman’, dated 17 July 1863.
British Army Warrant of Appointment to the Honorary Rank of a Captain in the Land Forces, as issued in the name of ‘William Mullins, Esquire’, for service with the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, dated 19 August 1881.
Condition: Both documents folded, with some creasing, tears, foxing and staining, overall Fair Condition, conducive to age and usage.
William Mullins came from the parish of Kilmonaghan, near the town of Moat, in County Westmeath, Ireland, and having worked as a clerk, then attested for service with the British Army on 19 March 1844, joining as a Private (No.2027) the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot. He would serve in the ranks for the next 19 years and 94 days, and his service abroad amounted to time spent in the Australian Colonies from 18 July 1845 to 12 February 1858. During his regiment’s time there, it performed garrison duty in Sydney, Hobart, and South Australia.
Mullins was promoted to Corporal on 1 January 1845; to Sergeant on 1 June 1854; to Colour Sergeant on 19 February 1858; and ultimately to Sergeant Major on 23 November 1860, before being commissioned as a Quartermaster on 17 July 1863 and saw service with the 1st Battalion, 11th Foot. He was promoted through the ranks to this position owing to the death of the previous incumbent, Quartermaster Daniel Deacon, who whilst at Curragh Camp in Ireland, had suffered fatal injuries to his head after a fall from his horse. The application to promote Mullins noted that the whole of his service had been exemplary. Mullins was still in service at the time of the re-organisation of the army, and was promoted to Honorary Captain with the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on 19 August 1881.
