Sergeant Richard Pelvin who died on Saturday morning at his residence, Avenue Road, at the good old age of 83 years, was a fine specimen of the British soldier of the old school - the long service man. He was born at Kensington on the 27th. April, 1819, and commenced his military career at the early age of 15 years and 9 months. On the 31st. , January, 1837, he enlisted in the 50th. Foot, which under the present territorial system is the 1st. Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment. Having passed through the usual training, he and a few nore of the 50th. sailed to join the regiment, which was then quartered in Sydney. The vessel took out a large number of convicts, the guarding of whom was a service very much disliked by British soldiers. However, Richard Pelvin did his duty well from the very first hour he joined the army and made for himself a thoroughly good name in the regiment. During a portion of his service in Australia, he was stationed at Norfolk Island. In those days, the locality, one of the most beautiful spots on the face of the earth, was the prison house of the very worst class of convicts, criminals of the deepest dye.

It must have been with a very keen sense of relief and satisfaction that the soldiers of the 50th. heard that they were ordered to India. The regiment sailed in February, 1841, Richard Pelvin having already obtained good conduct nedals and the rank of full Corporal. During the first months of its service in India, the 50th. Regbrent suffered somewhat severely from Cholera, but Pelvin was fortunate to escape. On the rumour of impending hostilies with Bumah, the regiment was embarked for the scene of action, but at the time, matters were accommodated to the satisfaction of the Indian Govermlent, and the troops were withdrawn. Returning to India, Pelvin accompanied his regiment to various stations until the outbreak at Gwalior in 1842, when the 50th. went into active service. There was some severe fighting, of which Pelvin's regiment had it's share; and so pleased was Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General, with the gallantry and discipline of the troops, that at the conclusion of the campaign, he recommended the Imperial Government to issue to every man who had taken part in the operations, a bronze star made out of cannon captured from the enemy. The recommendation was favourably received and the star was accordingly issued. Corporal Pelvin was amongst those who received the decoration. Then came an interval of peace and in July, 1844, Corporal Pelvin, having a relation in the 16th. Queens lancers, obtained leave to exchange into that regiment.

With his new troops, Richard Pelvin saw a great deal of stern service. The first Sikh war broke out in 1845, and though the 16th. Lancers did not come up in time to take part in the sanguinary battles of the Moodkee and Forozeshah, they had plenty to do during the remainder of the struggle, including, we believe, the Battle of Sobraon, which was fought in the early part of 1846. Shortly after that event, the 16th. Lancers were ordered Home, but Corporal Pelvin volunteered into the 3rd. King's Own Light Dragoons (now the King's Own Hussars.) His stay in India was thus prolonged for seven more years.

In 1848 and 1849, his regiment took part in the second Sikh War, and was present at the battles of Chillianwallah and Gujerat. In the former section, Corporal Pelvin had a very narrow escape. A cannon ball (9 pounder) struck the centre of his shako, and knocked what was left of it over his eyes, but it did him no injury. The number plate was cut clean out, and the shako was split right round. After the Sikh war, the regiment was quartered in various parts of India, and went home in the beginning of 1853, Corporal Pelvin going with it.

Shortly after arriving in England, he obtained permission to change once more, this time going into the 51st. Foot, the territorial designation of which is the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The exchange took place in 1853, and 1855 Corporal Pelvin was promoted Sergeant. During the Crimean War, the regiment formed part of the garrison of Malta, and on returning Home at the peace, was quartered at various stations both in England and Ireland. A little later the 51st. went out to India, but Sergeant pelvin remained at the depot. He had seen his last battle, and after some further Home service, he took his discharge, having been in the army 22 years. The deceased soldier had a most excellent record; his name was never in the defaulter's book; he had been in so many engagements; was decorated with several medals; and stood high in the estimation of the officers of the several corps in which he served. But,though he severed his connection with the regulars, his military life was not ended. He was engaged on the staff of the West Kent Militia, and was their pay sergeant. He was also sent by the Military authorities to the school of Musketry at Hythe, with a view to his becoming an instructor to the Volunteers, and for sometime he acted in that capacity to the 17th. Kent Tunbridge Wells Rifle Volunteers.

Sergeant Pelvin took his discharge from the Militia on July 1, 1863, and imrediately afterwards sailed for New Zealand in the Lancashire Witch. He acted as the ship's constable on the voyage out, and on arrival in Timaru, Captain Woolcombe bespoke his services in looking after immigrants as they arrived here. Sergeant Pelvin's subsequent life was altogether private, and is known to most of our readers. This tribute must be paid to his memory. His life was devoted to duty, he gave the best years of it to the service of his Sovereign and his country. It is fitting that his remains should re borne to their last resting place with military honours, and that the soldier's salute should be fired over his grave.