Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.
What happened to the survivors of the Charge of the Light Brigade?
WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT MY CHANNEL
1)Become A Patron
https://www.thehistorychap.com/Supporters-club
or
2)Join My YouTube membership
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyTGpFsD0AJkQ6KSCW8d_Ug/join
or
3) Make a one-off donation
https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistorychap
or
4) Join my Free weekly newsletter
https://www.thehistorychap.com/Newsletter
Link to my video about the Charge of the Light Brigade itself:
Link to the recording of Trumpeter Martin Landfried:
What happened to the survivors of the Charge of the Light Brigade?
On October 25th, 1854, during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, 670 cavalrymen charged into the Valley of Death. Alfred Lord Tennyson immortalized their courage with his famous poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” declaring “Honour the Light Brigade, Noble Six Hundred!” But what actually happened to the men who survived that fateful day?
The answer is a tale of two fates. While some survivors found success and prosperity, others ended their days in workhouses and paupers’ graves—a shocking reality that would eventually spark national outrage.
Among the success stories were men like William Pennington, who became a leading Shakespearean actor and manager of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and John Kilvert, who prospered as a pawnbroker and served as mayor of Wednesbury. Lieutenant Alexander Dunn, the only officer awarded the Victoria Cross for the charge, became the first Canadian to command a British regiment. Others like William Pearson and James Mustard built thriving businesses, while John Parkinson rose to sergeant in the Birmingham police.
But the darker truth was equally compelling. By 1890, at least six survivors were living in workhouses, struggling in poverty despite their heroism. Even Samuel Parkes, awarded the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria herself for saving a comrade during the charge, died destitute in 1864 and was buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave at Brompton Cemetery.
When Rudyard Kipling discovered how Britain’s heroes had been abandoned, he wrote a scathing poem that shamed the nation: “O thirty million English that babble of England’s might, Behold there are twenty heroes who lack their food to-night.” His words sparked Parliamentary debate and inspired the 80-year-old Tennyson to take action.
This video follows the 73-year journey of the Light Brigade survivors—from the Crimean War battlefield to Britain’s backstreets, through the creation of relief funds, to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 where trumpeter William Perkins sounded the charge once more, and finally to the death of the last survivor, Edwin Hughes, in 1927.
It’s a story that asks an uncomfortable question: what does it truly mean to honour our veterans?
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:52 Charge of the Light Brigade
2:15 Alexander Dunn VC
3:52 Veterans Making Good
5:43 William Henry Pennington
6:20 Convict Ships
7:09 Veterans on Hard Times
7:31 Samuel Parkes VC
9:57 Veterans in Workhouses
10:25 Kipling’s Outrage
12:03 Light Brigade Relief Fund
13:13 Trumpeter Martin Landfried
14:34 Veterans Meet Queen Victoria
15:38 The Roberts Fund
17:14 Last of the Light Brigade
18:52 Learning From History?
#britishhistory #militaryhistory #19thcentury #crimeanwar #victorianera
Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
Podcast: https://www.thehistorychappodcast.com
Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHistoryChap
My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: “Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!”
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham and am a member of the Royal Historical Society.
I am also a member of the Victorian Military Society, the Anglo Zulu War Society and the Military Historical Society.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the ‘Comments’ section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the ‘Comments’ section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
The History Chap is a trading name of Chris Green Communication Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales (Co No: 05025587)
The last living survivor Edwin Hughes is buried in Blackpool. As well as Sgt William Butler.
That's patriotism for you – a waste of time and life.
Check out William R. Parnell of the 17th Lancers. He emigrated to the US and became a US officer, serving in the Civil War and Indian Wars. He was wounded a number of times and won the Medal Of Honor during the Nez Perce war 1877. 40 years ago I knew an old fellow who met him. Parnell was a friend of his parents when they lived in Walla Walla Washington where Parnell was stationed while a Lt. with the 1st US Cavalry. The guy lived through a bit of history you could say.
In America now you can get disability for life by stubbing your toe if you are wearing your uniform.
Thank you for this, as people should never forget what has gone on. much praise to you
Yeah it was a typical pointless war but I think 99.9 % are…the human element is what is so fascinating.
I’ve a few groups of medals to British troops for the Crimea war, actually have a set to a 17th lancer trooper…nicest set is to a fellow who after the Crimea war he went on to fight in India and then one of the many the N.Z Māori wars but he was a footslogger lol….even a set to an artillery bombardier who also won the French legion of honor…
Very interesting hobby British medal groups and I’m an Aussie lol.
Vetrans now get charged with war crimes for obeying orders, ie Northern Ireland.
Great account. We have Sergeant major George Smith from the 13th Dragoons buried in my local cemetery of Whittington Shropshire. Another sad story😢 I often pay my respects while out walking the dog.
Kipling was born eleven years post the event.
excellent as usual. A great grandfather of mine was in The Kings Royal Hussars. I'm intrigued to find out how they were transported home. I presume they came back by ship but by which vessel and where they were disembarked remains unknown