Reading Mercury

Dated 7^th November 1885

DEATH OF AN OLD SOLDIER. – On Saturday, a pensioner named George Furley died somewhat unexpectedly at his home in Mayor’s-lane, after suffering for some time from consumption. The deceased joined the 2^nd Dragoon Guards in 1856, and afterwards became Corporal. He went to India in 1857, at the time of the mutiny, and was present at the action of Nusserapore, the siege of Lucknow, and other actions. He served twelve and a half years abroad, and was discharged as unfit for service in 1873. Of late years, the deceased had been employed at the Newbury Gas Works, where he gained great respect. His funeral on Wednesday was attended by the Manager, the Clerk and those employed at the works. The deceased leaves a wife and three children unprovided for, and a fund is being raised for their assistance.

DEATH OF A VETERAN

— There has just died at his residence Princess-cottage, Mayor's-lane, of consumption, a pensioner named Furley, who was formerly a corporal in the 2nd Dragoon Guards, Queen's Bays. He enlisted on the 22nd July, 1856, and was discharged with a pension as unfit for foreign service in 1873, after serving 12.5 years of his time abroad. 

He landed with his regiment in India in 1857, was present at the action of Nusserapore, the siege of Lucknow, at the affair of Bunganon Jungle, and the action of Joumah Pass, and at the historical meeting of Havelock, Outrun, and CampbelL*

The deceased who was a very quiet inoffensive man had latterly worked at the Newbury Gas Works and was much respected by his employer. Unfortunately he leaves a widow and three young children who are totally unprovided for and an effort, we are glad to learn, is being made by some gentlemen in the town by whom he was well known, to render them some assistance. Donations will be thankfully received by the Collector at the Gas Works. 

Newbury Weekly News 5th November, 1885

*  1857:  “Heroic failure was turned into heroic success under the guidance of Lawrence, Outram, Havelock and, above all, Sir Colin Campbell who relieved Lucknow twice.”

From: Memorising the Mutiny: Felice Beato’s Lucknow Photographs