| Attestin with the "rank" of Boy, he was appointed Drummer on 1 July, 1876. Promoted Private (bandsman) on 1 April, 1878, appointed Lance Corporal - April 1882, promoted Corporal - September 1883, appointed Lance Sergeant - October 1884, promoted sergeant - 22 October, 1885. His postings included: Home service: December 1873 - June 1877 The Cape (South Africa): June 1877 - October 1879 India: October 1879 - December 1890 Aden: 1890 - 1891 Home: 1891 - 1894. During his years as a soldier he was afflicted with many of the usual maladies that beset soldiers on active service in places like South Africa and India. These included ague, conjunctivitis, malaria, rheumatism and gonorrhea and a bout with hepatitis. It was this last disease that ended his military career when he was listed as unfit for further military service in April 1894. His Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was approved in July, 1895 sometime after he had left the colours. Besides the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, Thake was entitled to the South Africa Medal with the 1877-8-9 clasp for service in both the 9th Cape Frontier War and the Anglo-Zulu War. The 88th Foot was not part of the ill-fated first invasion of Zululand but was attached to the Coastal Column under Major-General Crealock during the second invasion. Thake was married to Miss Amy Young on 8 June, 1892 and had at least three children, two daughters, Evelyn Mary born in 1893 and Muriel Digby born in 1894 and a son Cyril born about 1900. After leaving the service William Thake provided for his family as an Inspector of Customs in London. |
