After serving with the British Army for 21 years, Private John Oakman received an Army Pension and appears to have left India for North America.
Born in County Armagh about January 1797, John enlisted with the British Army “Sappers & Miners” in 1816. In 1819 he was transferred to the 48th Regiment of Foot and served as a convict guard in Australia (Sydney, Port Dalrymple and Port Macquarie) from 1820 to 1824. In May 1824 the regiment were moved out of Australia to serve in the East Indies. 1834 sees John transferring to the 48th Regiment of Foot and remaining in the East Indies. Ill health later finds John, at 36 years of age, seeking discharge from the Army. This was granted in August 1837. Army Pension records of 1838 give John’s place of residence as North America.
After extensive research I have been unable to find John in North America. I therefore believe he returned to Ireland where he married Sarah Montgomery circa 1840.