Private John Astel served with the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot. . He served with them during the Indian Rebellion (1857-8). 

The Indian Rebellion was an uprising against the British East India Company’s rule in the country. The Mutiny began when a group of sepoys (Indian soldiers serving under European orders) from the 34th Bengal Native Infantry attacked their British Officers. The regiment was disbanded due to their comrades refusing to restrain them. This was seen as too harsh a punishment and led to a jail break-out on the 10th of May 1857, of eighty-five of the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry, who had been imprisoned for refusing to use cartridges at odds with their religion. The escapees and their helpers caused unrest, which gradually spread across the country. 

The 95th had been at (Home) service in Ireland when they were ordered to foreign service in South Africa on the 18th of June 1857. In the week-long sail, news of the Indian Mutiny reached England, and so the regimental did not disembark in Cape Town as planned, and instead, collected supplies for onwards travel to Bombay. 

Unfortunately, little else is known about John’s service.