He does not exist as Samuel James Besant until 1900 when he is courtmartialed in RMLI. After that he can be followed until his death as Samuel James Besant.
1878 Nov 29. Born Hants (he told RIC it was 1880)
1900 Sep 17 Courtmartialed on Andromeda. Private in RMLI guilty of disobedience & absence and sentenced to 12 months Hard Labour
1901 census in Bodmin Gaol serving ths sentence
1902 Aug 3. Married Elizabeth Kate Halsted
1911 census at 103 Prince Albert Road, Eastney, Portsmouth
1914 Aug 3. Enlisted in RGA. #127908,
1919 Mar 3.Disembodied from RGA. He served in France for about a year
1919 Mar 24. Re-enlisted in RMLI
1919 Dec 13 Discharged from RMLI
1921 Jan 4. Joined with RIC no 77314 & ADRIC no 793 (556). Cook & ex-Soldier
1921 Feb 11. Posted to O Coy
1921 Jul 4 to 17 Jul on Leave
1939 Register Living in Hester Place, Portsmouth. Widower & Cook
1945 Jan Died in Portsmouth