George Burr Luck: soldier in Afghanistan (1840-1879)

Post date: Dec 12, 2018 4:11:2 PM

The following is an extract from Aaron Luck's family history. The family is now resident in Australia. My appreciation to Aaron for allowing me to reproduce the extract below.

George Burr LUCK was christened on the 8th of November, 1840 in Wateringbury, Kent,3 the son of Robert Burr LUCK and Ann PEARCE. He appears in the 1841 census as an infant with his family, living in Canon Heath, Wateringbury, under the family name BURR. He appears in the 1851 census with his mother, now a widow, living in Pizen Well St under the family name LUCK. On the 14th of August, 1854 he joined the Prince of Wales Own Royal 10th Dragoons, attesting at Maidstone the following day.9 Likely enrolled by a relative because of his age, he is listed simply as George LUCK.

The Quarterly Muster & Payroll Books show he remained at Maidstone until the 9th of September when, along with 60 other young men, he embarked (for India, the location of the Regiment) and is listed as part of the “Cavalry Abroad”. Not all his movements have been investigated but spot checks revealed the following information; July-Sept, 1855: Maidstone. Apr-Jun, 1858; Aldershot. (The Regiment is recorded as stationed there until August, 1859.) Sept, 1859; Hounslow. Apr-Jun, 1860; Hounslow. (The Regiment is recorded as stationed at Hounslow until September, 1860.) Oct-Dec, 1860; Norwich.

George LUCK, age 19, appears in the 1861 census as part of a “Special Detachment, 10th Royal Hussars” stationed at the Cavalry Barracks in Ipswich. Curiously he gives his place of birth as Kingston (on Thames), Surrey. In the 1871 census he appears at the Cavalry Barracks at Heston, Ryde as George LUCK, age 31, born in Wateringbury, Kent.

George (Burr) LUCK married Harriet Sarah HUBBARD on the 29th of July, 1872 at St Mary's Church, Lambeth, Surrey14 by traditional Banns. The 10th Hussars embarked for India on the 10th of January, 1873 aboard the troop ship “JUMNA” and Harriet accompanied her husband abroad. The 10th Hussars were stationed at various towns in India over the following years until, in 1878, George's regiment was called upon to fight in Afghanistan in what became the 2nd Afghan War. George LUCK died on the 13th of June, 1879 of cholera at Landi Kotal, Afghanistan, age 38, and was buried there. He posthumously received the Afghan War Medal with clasp for Ali Musjid.