Private John Jones originally enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Canterbury in July 1878, using his real names George Summers. In April 1881, however, he deserted while serving as a Driver in the 17th Mounted Company, R.E., an act that would come back to haunt him when compelled to make a full confession to his Commanding Office in Burma in September 1887 (Copy of confession sold with Lot). His time on the run was short-lived and he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade with the alias 'John Jones' just a month after deserting the Engineers, a fact that might have contributed to him being let off charges by his Rifle Brigade C.O. Instead he was discharged to the Army Reserve immediately following the Burma operations.