Crimean War Veterans

[Ponytail]

No place for ladies, the untold story of women in the Crimean War. 

Helen Rappaport. 

Contains a 45 minute audio and transcript. 

https://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/no-place-for-ladies-the-untold-story-of-women-in-the-crimean-war/

 

[Ponytail]

On 27/11/2023 at 09:41, Edmund said:

Michael O'Brien died on Saturday 4th September 1880, aged 53, a labourer of 129 Portland street. In February 1879 he had been an in-patient at the Infirmary for eight weeks with a diseased blood vessel, but discharged himself because he was tired of it, not because he was cured. Two house-surgeons recommended an operation and that he should stay in or he would surely die. He had felt much better and able to work as a labourer in a foundry since he left the Infirmary, but on Tuesday 31st August he fell ill and went to see Mr Collier, surgeon. Collier thought that he had a liver complaint. By the next Friday and Saturday he was much worse and went to see Collier again. On the Saturday evening he went out to a public house to buy some whisky to put in his gruel. Five minutes later his wife Mary heard that he had fainted, and shortly afterwards that he was dead. Collier told the Coroner that Mr O'Brien had died of an aneurism and had no doubt it was due to natural causes.

Information from Mr. Quincey, Friends of Wardsend Cemetery about another Sheffield Veteran of the Charge of the Light Brigade, Crimean War:

Michael O'Brien, veteran of the Charge of the Light Brigade, Pte. 1461 4th Light Dragoons medals gained Balaclava Medal with clasps Alma; Balaclava and Sebastopol was the 2nd Line of Left Wing in the Charge of the Light Brigade; taken prisoner and held for one year. Buried Wardsend Cemetery, September 1880. Residence Portland Street. See also "Honour the Light Brigade."

 

Information from "Honor the Light Brigade" by William M Lummis and Kenneth G Wynn. 

The Fourth Light Dragoons, compiled from Documents in the P.R.O. 

Muster Roll 1854-1855 Ref: WO 12/659; 1855-1856 WO 12/660; 1856-1857 12/661.

Medal Roll: WO 100/24.

1461 O'Brien (Private Michael), born Limerick; Enlisted: 31st August 1850. Taken prisoner in the Charge: 25th October 1854. Medal: Crimea (A.B.S) 

Father: Edward O'Brien, serving with the Regiment (presumably 1021 O'Brien) 

1021 O'Brien (Private Edward) Enlisted: December 1838. Medal: Crimea (A.B.I.S) 

Battles

A= Alma; B=Balaclava; I=Inkerman; S=Sebastopol. 

 

[Ponytail]

"Henry Gregory - of the 13th Light Dragoons who was a native of Nottingham. He served in the Crimea at Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. He died at Sheffield in April 1875 and was buried at Attercliffe Cemetery, though no gravestone appears to have survived."

The above Information from Archives and Local Studies Guide. 

 

Information from "Honor the Light Brigade" by William M Lummis and Kenneth G Wynn. 

The Thirteenth Light Dragoons, compiled from Documents in the P.R.O. 

Muster Roll 1854-1855 Ref: WO 12/1118; 1855-1856 WO 12/1119; 1856-1857 12/1120.

Medal Roll: WO 100/24.

The only Henry Gregory in the record is:

1169 Gregory (Private Henry) Enlisted: 1842. Medal: Crimea (A.B.I.S.)

Battles

A= Alma; B=Balaclava; I=Inkerman; S=Sebastopol. 

 

For a record of Henry Gregory see:

https://www.chargeofthelightbrigade.com/allmen/indexallmen.html

 

 

[Ponytail]

On 26/11/2023 at 23:01, Ponytail said:

David Stanley (1830 - 1893), veteran of the Charge of the Light Brigade, Crimean War. s08745

About the Crimean War and the Charge of the Light Brigade and a personal account by David Stanley. 

https://www.totleyhistorygroup.org.uk/people-of-interest/david-stanley/

 

 

Information from "Honor the Light Brigade" by William M Lummis and Kenneth G Wynn. 

The Seventeenth Lancers, compiled from Documents in the P.R.O. 

Muster Roll 1854-1855 Ref: WO 12/1339; 1855-1856 WO 12/1340; 1856-1857 12/1341.

Medal Roll: WO 100/24.

Crimean War: W.O. 1/369 & 370.

 

1009 STANLEY (PRIVATE DAVID) 

Born: Nottingham. A mason prior to his enlistment on 10th July 1849. Wounded in the Charge: 25th October 1854. Purchased discharge for £20: 12th August 1856. Medal: Crimea (A.B.S). Attended First Balaclava Banquet: 25th October 1875. Member, Balaclava Commemorative Society 1879. Signed the Loyal Address: 1887.

Battles. 

A= Alma; B=Balaclava; S=Sebastopol. 

 

Name was printed in Capitals to denote it is known he rode in the Charge. 

The first Banquet was at Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, London. 

Members of the Balaclava Commemorative Society was only open to those who actually rode in the Charge. 

The Loyal Address was on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. 

 

[Ponytail]

On 26/11/2023 at 22:52, Ponytail said:

 

 

[Ponytail]

On 27/11/2023 at 01:33, Ponytail said:

Gravestone of Francis Dickinson in General Cemetery, 20th June 1980.

Copyright. Sheffield Newspapers Ltd. 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;s33652&pos=26&action=zoom&id=68145

Information from General Cemetery Wikipedia: Under notable burials:

Francis Dickinson (1830-1898) One of the Soldiers who fought in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. 

 

Sheffield Telegraph Obituary Index. 

Francis Dickinson, survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade died 15th June 1898. 

 

Could any body get a better image to read the details please or provide more information? 

Information posted by SteveHB. 

"In affectionate remembrance of Mary Ann the beloved wife of Francis
Dickinson who died December 1st 1868 aged 72 years.
Also of the above named Francis Dickenson who died Sept 28th 1882 aged 87
years.
In loving memory of Troop Sargt Major Francis Dickinson, late of 17th
Lancers son of the above who died June 15th 1898 aged 68 years one of the
Six Hundred."

 

Francis Dickinson - a native of Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, Francis formed part of the Charge of the Light Brigade of Balaclava. After service in India he retired  to Sheffield, becoming the landlord of the Earl Grey Public House. He later joined the Sheffield Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veteran Association. His medals are part of the Museums Sheffield collection. He was buried with full military honours in Sheffield General Cemetery in June 1898 though his gravestone no longer survives. 

The above information from Archives and Local Studies Guide. 

 

Information from "Honor the Light Brigade" by William M Lummis and Kenneth G Wynn. 

The Seventeenth Lancers, compiled from Documents in the P.R.O. 

Muster Roll 1854-1855 Ref: WO 12/1339; 1855-1856 WO 12/1340; 1856-1857 12/1341.

Medal Roll: WO 100/24.

Crimean War: W.O. 1/369 & 370.

 

847 DICKENSON (SERGEANT FRANCIS) 

Enlisted:1846. Promoted  Sergeant: 25th September 1854 vice Graham. Rode in the Charge: 25th October 1854. Medal: Crimea (A.B.I.S.) Attended First Balaclava Banquet: 25th October 1875. Member, Balaclava Commemoration Society 1879. Signed the Loyal Address 1887. Attended the Annual Dinner 1893.

At some time in the 1890's he lived at 20 Tilston Road Heeley (book prints it as Hierley) Sheffield. 

 

Battles. 

A= Alma; B=Balaclava; I= Inkerman; S=Sebastopol. 

Name was printed in Capitals to denote it is known he rode in the Charge. 

The first Banquet was at Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, London. 

Members of the Balaclava Commemorative Society was only open to those who actually rode in the Charge. 

The Loyal Address was on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. 

 

 

[Ponytail]

"Richard Davis - 13th Light Dragoons, a native of India, he saw action at Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. As well as the Crimean Medal and Turkish 
Medal he was awarded the French War Medal. In later life he worked as a warden at the South Yorkshire Lunatic Asylum at Wadsley, Sheffield. He died in December 1902 and was buried at Burngreave Cemetery, though no headstone was erected."

The above information from Archives and Local Studies Guide. 

 

Information from "Honor the Light Brigade" by William M Lummis and Kenneth G Wynn. 

The Thirteenth Light Dragoons, compiled from Documents in the P.R.O. 

Muster Roll 1854-1855 Ref: WO 12/1118; 1855-1856 WO 12/1119; 1856-1857 12/1120.

Medal Roll: WO 100/24.

 

1108 Davis (Trumpeter Richard) 

Enlisted: 1842/3. May have ridden in the Charge: 25th October 1854. Later became a Sergeant. Medals: Crimea (A.B.I.S.), French Military War Medal. 

 

French Military War Medal. 

The Citation for the French Medal stated:

"Served in the Eastern Campaign, including the affairs of Bouljanak and McKenzie's Farm, Battles of the Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman, Seige of Sebastopol and Expedition to Eupatoria."

Battles. 

A= Alma; B=Balaclava; I= Inkerman; S=Sebastopol. 

 

"It is impossible to compile an entirely accurate Roll of those who rode in the Charge, for the following reasons:-

1. No nominal roll was made out on parade. The parade states merely gives numbers present and even these numbers vary in different accounts. 

2. The award of the "BALACLAVA" clasp is no guide, as it was given to all present, either mounted or unmounted. 

The fact that an officer or man actually rode is only certain if his name appears in the following:-

1. A list of casualties as killed, wounded or Prisoner of War. 

2. Contemporary accounts by eye witnesses or personal narratives by known participants. 

3. Membership of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879, which was limited to those who actually rode in the Charge. (In some private letters even validity of some members has been questioned) 

4. The list of signatures on The Loyal Dress to the Queen on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, June 1887, from the survivors of The Charge of the Light Brigade. 

5. Attendance at the Annual Dinners held from 1890 to 1913."

Born. Arcot, Madras India 1828. Bp. Bangalore 11th July 1828. Parents: Lance Corporal William Davis of the 23th Light Dragoons and his wife Bridget née Connell

Died. 19th December 1902 aged 73 at 51 Thirza Street. Buried 23rd December 1902, Burngreave Cemetery in a Common Grave 25 Plot 25.

More information:

https://www.chargeofthelightbrigade.com/allmen/allmenD/allmenD_13LD/davis_r_1108_13LD.html

 

 

[Ponytail]

I've looked through the book "Honour to the Light Brigade"

"A Record of the Services of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Five Light Cavalry Regiments which made up the Light Brigade at Balaclava on October 25th 1854 and saw service in the Crimea from September 1854 to the end of the War".

Details of their honours, awards and medals are given, together with where known, information on their subsequent lives. An important aspect of the work is the fact that the men of the Light Brigade, who "Charged" on the 25th October 1854 are clearly marked in capital letters.

"The Light Brigade in the Crimea, commanded in October 1854 by Major-General The Earl of Cardigan and composed at the time of the following units. The Staff; The Fourth Light Dragoons; The Eighth Hussars; The Eleventh Hussars; The Thirteenth Dragoons & The Seventeenth Lancers."

It's a puzzle that I can't find George Partington. 

His gravestone and information from Archives and Local Studies Guide indicated he was one of the "Chargers."

"George Partington - injured at the Battle of Balaclava and nursed by Florence Nightingale, George also saw action at Inkerman and Sebastopol. He was buried at Sheffield General Cemetery in March 1902 following an elaborate procession, with his coffin draped in the Union flag. His headstone included, until recently vandalised, his helmet, carved in stone, and a metal inscription."

It's possible I've somehow missed him for which I apologise if that is the case; his name was erroneously omitted or spelt differently; or not in a Cavalry Regiment.

Incidentally men who didn't embark, died on the journey to the Crimea or were hospitalised are included in the record. 

Could anybody find out which Regiment he was in please?

Also other names who newspapers recorded them as being "at Balaclava" who I've been unable to find:

Robert Challice (Sheffield Telegraph Obit Index); William Hanson (Libraries Study Guide) & Peter Melville (photo). (At the funeral of Richard Davis a P. Melville of 79th Highlanders is an attendee with other survivors of the Crimean War) 

As expected there are more the one by the name of Thomas (Tom) Smith (Sheffield Telegraph Obit. Index) who possibly was either in the 11th Hussars or 17th Lancers. 

The other Sheffield men who served in the Crimea were recorded as either being a Crimean Veteran or were at Sebastopol and Inkerman. 

 

 

[Ponytail]

LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

PUBLIC LISTINGS —

Provisional list of all officers and men. 

https://www.chargeofthelightbrigade.com/allmen/indexallmen.html

 

 

[Edmund]

Not George, it was Charles Partington. He was in the 1st Royal Dragoons. Mr Partington had joined up whilst in his teens, a few months before hostilities broke out.  He served throughout the Crimean campaign and wore medals for Inkerman, Sebastopol and Balaclava.  The 1st Royal Dragoons were part of the Heavy Brigade, and after the charge, when the Regiment was ordered to cover the retreat of the Light Cavalry Brigade he was severely injured in the thigh.  After 12 years service, ending as a lance-sergeant, he initially became a warder in a military prison. He moved to Sheffield around 1886 and in civilian life was a commercial traveller for Sales and Teather, timber merchants of Eyre street, serving them for 15 years.  He was killed in their service, aged 65, in a trap accident on 13th March 1902. The horse had slipped on the setts opposite the Attercliffe Alahambra, panicked and Mr Partington was thrown from the vehicle. 

Charles was the secretary of the Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veterans Association which partly explains the size of the crowd present at his send off (a thousand people gathered at his house at Richmond Villas, 484 Ecclesall Road, and a further three thousand at the cemetery). He had been trying to obtain improved pensions for the most deserving of the veterans. Present at the funeral was Thomas Smith (82) who had attended the funeral of the Duke of Wellington in 1852.  He left a widow, Emily and two adult children.

 

[Ponytail]

21 minutes ago, Edmund said:

Not George, it was Charles Partington. He was in the 1st Royal Dragoons. Mr Partington had joined up whilst in his teens, a few months before hostilities broke out.  He served throughout the Crimean campaign and wore medals for Inkerman, Sebastopol and Balaclava.  The 1st Royal Dragoons were part of the Heavy Brigade, and after the charge, when the Regiment was ordered to cover the retreat of the Light Cavalry Brigade he was severely injured in the thigh.  After 12 years service, ending as a lance-sergeant, he initially became a warder in a military prison. He moved to Sheffield around 1886 and in civilian life was a commercial traveller for Sales and Teather, timber merchants of Eyre street, serving them for 15 years.  He was killed in their service, aged 65, in a trap accident on 13th March 1902. The horse had slipped on the setts opposite the Attercliffe Alahambra, panicked and Mr Partington was thrown from the vehicle. 

Charles was the secretary of the Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veterans Association which partly explains the size of the crowd present at his send off (a thousand people gathered at his house at Richmond Villas, 484 Ecclesall Road, and a further three thousand at the cemetery). He had been trying to obtain improved pensions for the most deserving of the veterans. Present at the funeral was Thomas Smith (82) who had attended the funeral of the Duke of Wellington in 1852.  He left a widow, Emily and two adult children.

 

 

Thank you very much Edmund. 

So relieved that one is sorted out. Not a "Charger" as such but it's good to know he did so much for his fellow ex Crimean Veterans. Sad to see an accident with a horse was the cause of his death. 

 

Advertisement for Sales and Teather, timber merchants, Eyre Street. 1900.

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;y03326&pos=1&action=zoom&id=50739

 

[Ponytail]

One piece of information leads to another: 

Link to: Sheffield and Hallamshire Veterans Guild, which appears to have started with the Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veteran Association and a mention of P. Melville. 

 https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/12167-sheffield-and-hallamshire-veterans-guild/

 

[Ponytail]

The T. H. Roberts Survivors Relief Fund. Many of the Crimean Veterans were endebted to the Charitable Fund of this and similar Funds. 

Copied from:

"Honor the Light Brigade" by William M Lummis and Kenneth G Wynn. 

 

[Ponytail]

Not a native of Sheffield but died and was buried in Sheffield. 

1636 Private Robert Sheffield, 13th Light Dragoons. 

Born in Durham 1831. Enlisted. London 3rd August 1854. Joined the Regiment 21st May 1855.Transferred to the 3rd Dragoon Guards at Cahir on 31st Aug. 1856. Regimental No. 65. Invalided from India to England 1st Feb.1859. Transferred to Army Hospital Corps from the Cavalry Depot and sent to Chatham 1st Dec.1859. Returned from Canterbury to the 3rd Dragoon Guards 1st January 1860. Promoted Sergeant April 1860.

Medals. Entitled to the Crimea Medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal. Awarded the medal for Abbysinia. Awarded Long Service and Good Conduct Medal 1st April 1874, with a gratuity of £5 but there is no indication on his documents of this. 

The Turkish Crimean War Medal (Turkish: Kırım Harbi Madalyası) is a campaign medal issued by Sultan Abdulmejid I of the Ottoman Empire to allied military personnel involved in the Crimean War of 1854–56. It was only awarded to those who survived the war and not to next of kin.There are three different issues of this medal for British, French, or Sardinian personnel.

Robert Sheffield is not recorded in "Honour the Light Brigade" by Lummis & Wynn. 

Died. 2nd February 1914, aged 85 at 31 Mannington (Stannington) Road, Malin Bridge Sheffield. 

Buried. Wardsend Cemetery, Sheffield. Plot M 293.More information about Robert Sheffield. 

https://www.chargeofthelightbrigade.com/allmen/allmenS/allmenS_13LD/sheffield_r_1636_13LD.html

 

[Ponytail]

On 28/11/2023 at 00:19, Ponytail said:

Dr. E M Wrench, Crimean & Indian Mutiny Veteran, Surgeon to 3 Dukes of Devonshire, died 12th March 1912.

Sheffield Telegraph Obituary Index. 

 

 

 

Dr. Edward Mason Wrench (1833-1912)

In the Uniform of 12th Royal Lancers 1862.

Initially Wrench was stationed at the General Hospital in Balaclava, in the Crimea, and treated soldiers wounded in the Battle of Inkerman.

3rd December 1854, Wrench joined the 34th Regiment of Foot on the front line in the trenches and encampments on the heights above Sebastopol. Lacking in the necessary equipment, Wrench saw action at the capture of the quarries on 7 June 1855, the assault on the Redan on 18 June 1855, and the final offensive on Sebastopol on 8 September 1855. He demonstrated outstanding courage when treating patients under fire and was commended in despatches for his actions. Wrench received the Crimean medal and clasp, and the Turkish medal. He left the Crimea in July 1856, after writing over 400 letters to his family and friends back home in England. These letters paint an absorbing picture of the life of an army doctor in the Crimean War.

Including his sketches of the interior of his Tent. 

https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/florencenightingale/2020/05/07/edward-wrench-an-army-doctor-in-the-crimean-war/

 

He appears in the Sheffield Telegraph Obit Index, did he die in Sheffield or is the Obituary published because of his work with the Dukes of Devonshire? 

 

 

[Edmund]

Dr Wrench had been a doctor at Baslow for fifty years, living at Park Lodge. In March 1912 he went to Buxton with his bicycle (unclear whether he pedalled all the way or used the train). He collapsed by some railings in Buxton and died almost immediately, having suffered from heart attacks for 12 months, but feeling better recently.

[ManoutotCity]

On 26/11/2023 at 20:42, Ponytail said:

Crimean War Veteran

Gravestone of George Myers, Sheffield General Cemetery. 2011.

a00560

Sacred to the memory of George Myers, Army Pensioner, Royal Artillery who departed this life 3rd day of March 1889 in his 66th year. Was present and engaged at the Battle of Sebastopol and Inkerman during the Crimean War 1854 and 55. Medals, Crimean, Turkish, Good Conduct. May he rest in peace. Erected by his surviving sons and daughters as mark of respect and esteem.

On 26/11/2023 at 22:48, Ponytail said:

Crimean War Veteran. 

Gravestone of Captain Thomas Christian Rycroft, Dore churchyard. 2012.

a00569

Captain Rycroft served at the siege and capture of Sebastopol in the Crimean War and served in India at the time of the Mutiny. He also saw service at Cape [South Africa], Malta and Gibraltar.

 

Can anyone provide more information? 

 Officer 31st Regt ( Foot.. ie infantry) later East Surreys…presumably had sone link with Sheffield to end up buried here…

[Edmund]

Thomas Rycroft was the brother-in-law of the vicar of Dore, John Thomas Foster Aldred, who married Mary Elizabeth Rycroft (born in Liverpool) in Blackpool in 1849.  In 1851 Thomas was a military student living with them at the Parsonage in Dore. His father was well-to-do and purchased his promotion to the rank of ensign, but his promotion to captain was on merit. He was a director of the Blackpool Pier Company until his decease. Following his death at Smedley's (Hydropathic) Institution in Matlock on 23rd April, he was buried by John Aldred on 26th April 1889 aged 56.

[ManoutotCity]

On 26/11/2023 at 22:52, Ponytail said:

Crimean War Veteran. 

Gravestone of George Partington (died 1902), Crimean veteran, Sheffield General Cemetery. 2012.

Edit: His name was Charles not George see later post by Edmund. 

a00596

Charles Partington was injured at the Battle of Balaclava and nursed by Florence Nightingale. He also saw action at Inkerman and Sebastopol. His funeral procession was an elaborate affair, with marching soldiers and with his coffin draped in the Union flag. His headstone included, until recently vandalised, his helmet, carved in stone, and a metal Inscription. 

 

It's fortunate that Mr. E. Guy, photographed the gravestone with the carved headstone. 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;t00677&pos=9&action=zoom&id=31503

 

Can anyone provide more information? 

 

[ManoutotCity]

Readers of these submissions and their subject matter may be interested to try and source this small but interesting, local publication ( from about 1990 from memory though my copy appears undated) originally intended as a pocket guide for walkers in the old General Cemetery ( bordered mainly by Cemetery Road, Nether Edge). Several personalities discussed here are featured in the booklet…so some  questions raised in this thread, probably answered. An image of the famous but since desecrated cavalry  helmet carving is included in the booklet. 
Sadly the great Rare and Racy is no more …once an obvious source of material like this but Brian Tee’s shop on Sharrowvale  Road may have a copy….if the Friends of General Cemetery can’t help after the lapse since publication ( see photo  of reverse in my two attachments ).

[ManoutotCity]

On 01/12/2023 at 16:38, Ponytail said:

 

Thank you very much Edmund. 

So relieved that one is sorted out. Not a "Charger" as such but it's good to know he did so much for his fellow ex Crimean Veterans. Sad to see an accident with a horse was the cause of his death. 

 

Advertisement for Sales and Teather, timber merchants, Eyre Street. 1900.

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;y03326&pos=1&action=zoom&id=50739

 

Oh but he was a ‘charger ….Scarlett’s Heavy Brigade (some 800 Heavy Cavalry)  ‘rode’ UPHILL  into and routing some  3000 Russian Cavalry ….quite a feat and certainly one of the days successes …..on those facts, anyone with equestrian knowledge will know that the pace was immaterial in achieving such a staggering result…let’s not  make the likes of The Royals, The Inniskillings, The Scots Greys and others the Cinderellas of the Battle ..they contributed very considerably..

[Ponytail]

You Tube: Thin Red Line - Crimean War - Battle of Balaclava 1854. 

Charge of the Heavy Brigade, 25th October 1854.

By The History Chap. 

[Ponytail]

You Tube: The Charge of the Light Brigade 25th October 1854 - Crimean War 1854-1856.

By The History Chap. 

 

[Ponytail]

You Tube: The Battle of Alma, 20th September 1854 - Crimean War 1854-1856.

By The History Chap. 

 

[Ponytail]

You Tube: The Battle of Inkerman 5th November 1854 - Crimean War 1854-1856.

By The History Chap.