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Staff Sergeant Thomas Edward Bishop |
The information I have on Thomas Bishop derives mainly from two of the booklets he wrote. He was born in Hallow in Worcestershire in June quarter 1864. His father Thomas was a bricklayer, his mother was Eliza. By 1881, it appears his mother his died, his father has moved to Staffordshire and remarried. His older brother William has moved north with his father. Thomas, however, stayed behind with his grandparents William Bishop and Jane (née Tomkins) in Broadheath.
He joined the Leicestershire Regiment in 1881, but joined a draft of the 52nd Oxfordshire Light infantry stationed at the Curragh in Ireland. However by the end of 1882 the unit, after moving to Limerick, was posted to Bangalore in India. In June 1884 he applied for a 6 months training course in gymnastics in Poona, and received a first class certificate in gymnastics and fencing
On return to Bangalore, was then sent to Quetta, which was on a war footing, including 84 mile march through the Bolan Pass, though apparently saw no action in 10 months. Next he was moved to Poona, finally in 1887 was sent home.
On arrival at Shorncliffe, he was made a Corporal and Gymnastic Instructor, his Indian first class certificate was apparently equivalent to a home second class, so he trained at Aldershot to gain a first class certificate, was best all round man, and received record marks. He rejoined his battalion in Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. He became Lance Sergeant, then full Sergeant, and was Assistant Instructor of Gymnasium. He won first place in a gymnastic competition, also was part of the honour guard for Queen Victoria, on the visit of unnamed foreign visitors. While based there in June quarter 1889, he married Annie Rowe whose parents are not known.
Following a short posting to Gosport, Thomas joined the gymnastic staff at Aldershot in January 1892, leaving his original battalion. This led to an appointment in July 1892 as 1st Class Sergeant Instructor in Gymnastics, in charge of Garrison Gymnasium Western Heights, Dover. This appointment lasted until 1902. Every year he appeared in the gymnastic display in Islington. He also appeared in a gymnastic display before Queen Victoria.
Retiring from the Army 8th August 1902, he wrote three booklets, A Soldier’s Career, Adventures and Incidents, and Ten Minutes Modern Home Exercise. His address at this time was in Lewisham. He had two children, Alfred, b 1894, and May, b1899, both born in Dover. After leaving the army, he lived in Lewisham.