Likenesses
WGC's portrait appeared in the Illustrated London News, 30th of October 1875.
(Copy in the 17th Lancer file.)
WGC is said to have been born at Banham [or Banham up Kenninghall], about 7 miles north-east of Diss, Norfolk, the second son of William Cattermole and his wife, Mary Anne (nee Flowerdew), c.1818.
William Cattermole [WGC's father] was a school-master, one of four children. His elder brother Richard (1795-1858) gained his Bachelor of Divinity Degree and became Vicar of Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The youngest sibling, George (1799-1868), was a painter of distinction; he had paintings in the Louvre and London Galleries and also illustrated for Charles Dickens. [PB: See Further information below.]
William Cattermole and Mary Anne had five children altogether.
Enlisted at Ipswich on the 20th of September 1836.
[PB: Diss is about 25 miles from Ipswich, and a similar distance from the Cavalry Barracks at Norwich.]
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Clerk.
Appearance: Fair complexion. Hazel eyes. Auburn hair.
Returned to the regiment from the Riding Establishment at Maidstone and was promoted to Corporal on the 15th of November 1843.
Marriage registered
William George Cattermole to Mary Anne [sic] Bowen, December Quarter 1844, Kensington.
In 1844, William George Cattermole married Mary Anne Bowen (sister of 957 John Bowen of the 17th Lancers, which confirms a suspected relationship).
She, like her brother, was born Christchurch, Cork, Ireland.
[PB: They had 6 children together before WGC was discharged in 1860, and (probably) at least one more after.]
Four children were shown in the Army Chaplain's Registers as being born to him and his wife, Mary Anne, while he was in the Army:
- John Henry Flowerdew, born Dublin, 1847
- Adelaide, Dublin, 1850
- Agnes A., Hounslow, 1853
- Eliza, Kilmainham, Dublin, 1857
- A daughter, Claire, is said to have been born at Woolwich in 1851.
- Florence, born Canterbury, 1859.
[PB: there was at least one more son, George William Cattermole, born 1861 or later — discussed in detail in Further information, below.]
Corporal to Sergeant: 16th of April 1846.
Made Hospital Sergeant on the 10th of May 1848 and remained so until he resigned from this appointment on the 11th of September 1851.
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 11th of September 1851.
Next of kin (in 1854): Wife, Mary-Anne Cattermole, living in Lowndes Square, Knightsbridge, London.
[PB: Why Lowndes Square? Did she have family there? Was she employed as a servant?]>/p>
An undated Memorandum was sent to Lieut General Sir J.Y. Scarlett, KCB requesting him:
"To be so good enough as to send the name of one Non-Commissioned Officer of the Cavalry Division, of the highest character and intelligence to be appointed QrMaster in the Land Transport Corps" — By Order, W.L. Pakenham, A.G."
In his reply the Commanding Officer of the 17th Lancers sent the following recommendation for a Non-Commissioned Officer to be appointed Quarter Master of the Land Transport Corps:
"Camp near Balaclava, 29th Aug. 1855.
Regimental No. 483. Rank and name, W.G. Cattermole. Age 38 years 1 month. Service, 18 years 11 months.
Remarks: Came out with the Regt. from England and was present at the Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman — is in possession of the Good Conduct medal and £20 Annuity for distinguished Conduct: and has acted for some months as Quarter-master to his Regt. while the Quarter Mastership was vacant.
Promoted to Sergt. 15th April 1846. Troop Sergeant Major 18th August 1851.
(Signed) H.R. Benson, Major.
Commanding 17th Lancers."
(There is a copy in the 17th Lancer file.)
In a statement made in connection with the Cardigan-Calthorpe law-suit in 1863 WHC described himself as being Late Troop Sergeant Major, 17th Lancers, now of the Sherwood Rangers (Yeomanry). From the preamble to this:
"A statement of William George Cattermole, late a Troop Sergeant Major of the 17th Lancers, in reference to occurrences to himself and that which came under his direct observation, at the "Light Cavalry Charge" at Balaclava on the 25th of October 1854...
But previous to any remarks, I would produce them by observing that all ought to be aware and bear in remembrance that individuals actually engaged, and more especially on an occasion when everyone was almost unprepared for so sudden an emergency, and so much general confusion, prevailed, so little individual light can be thrown by one who was not a spectator, but in the melee...
'I proceeded with my squadron as a troop serre-file to the left troop of the left squadron, advancing with the first line so gallantly led by Lord Cardigan. The troop was commanded by Captain Winter, who was killed on that eventful day, and whom I saw falling from his horse when struck — I would think — by a piece of shell. The Adjutant (Mr. Chadwick) rode on my right until we advanced near to the Russian guns, when we got separated, and I did not see him again — he was taken prisoner.
When about 200 yards from the guns, I received a graze wound on the knuckles of my sword hand, which caused the sword to fall from my grasp; but it being secured by the sword knot and by a handkerchief, I quickly regained my weapon.
When by the guns, I inclined to my left and crossed two or three of my regiment, who seemed so confused as to hardly know how to act, and, like myself, acted afterwards individually, the ranks being broken, and no officer left to command: and I solemnly believe and confidentially assert, that I never observed or never heard of any of the 17th Lancers stating that he was beyond the Russian cavalry, and I venture to hope that no one can claim to having brought the remnants of the 17th Lancers out of action, as no more than three men together do I know of, or have ever heard say came out so, but indeed, wholly by one's own and two's.
Had they in any way kept together in returning, none I would venture to presume would have escaped the fire.
I, myself, was struck by a spent shot on the thigh on returning, but not severely, as it did not prevent me from returning to duty — though with some amount of pain.
On arriving at the place next to the ridge of hills, where the Regiment was being formed up and mustered by Paymaster Stephenson, Lord Cardigan was then talking to that portion of the Brigade. His Lordship, with another officer, were later seen, apparently to me, proceeding as if towards the Heavy Brigade, at least they went in that direction...
Very shortly afterwards I observed Major Mayo and Commissariat Officer Cruckshank [sic?] coming from the direction of Balaclava,
We then retired to our lines.
W. G. Cattermole,
Late Troop Serjeant-Major, 17th Lancers, now of the Sherwood Rangers (Yeomanry) and Yeoman of H.M.S Royal Body Guard.
P.S. I beg to add a few words to say that I have, on many occasions, both in the Crimea and since, heard Sergeant-Major William Barker, my fellow tent-comrade, say that he followed Lord Cardigan out of action at Balaclava, and that they went at a very steady pace. W.G.C."
To the Depot as Riding Instructor from the 1st of October 1857.
Birth registered
Florence Cattermole (daughter), September Quarter 1859, Canterbury.
Discharged, "at his own request", from Maidstone on the 9th of October 1860.
Served 24 years 19 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea, 2 years.
Conduct: "very good". In possession of two Good Conduct badges when promoted.
Aged 42 years on discharge.
Intending to live at Retford, Notts, he was accompanied on discharge by his wife, Mary Ann and 6 children, their ages ranging from 13 years to 15 months.
Awarded a pension of 2/- per day.
WGC became a Yeoman of the Guard in 1860 and was also at one time a door-keeper at the Admiralty, where his sandy "Dundrearies" were well known. (These were long flowing sideburns, attributed to Lord Dundreary, a character in the play Our American Cousin, written in 1858 by Tom Taylor.)
There are copies in the 17th Lancer file of his discharge certificate, a character reference for Mary Ann Bowen (later to become his wife), and the application he made for an increase in his pension. In the latter he makes reference to having been a Hospital Serjeant in the regiment, and to his grand-father, Dr. John Flowerdew. (See text on his ancestry.)
From his comments that he rendered medical assistance to his fellow soldiers there arises the possibility that this act may have been the grounds on which his D.C.M. was awarded. There is also a certificate of his competence in his medical duties signed by a former medical officer of the regiment.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, but it is not known when or under what circumstances. He is not shown on the list of men of the 17th Lancers awarded the medal and dated the 26th of March 1855, but [?] Abbot, in his Recipients of the D.C.M., shows the recommendation being submitted to the Queen on the 2nd of February 1855 and awarded with an annuity of £20.
He was also awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal with a gratuity of £10 on the 9th of November 1863, when serving as a Sergeant Major in the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry. (He is not shown on the Long Service & Good Conduct roll of the 17th Lancers, Ed: but he does appear on the Staff of the Army roll for the Long Service medal, it being sent to the OC commanding the Sherwood Rangers YC on 19 December 1863. There was a claim of £15 gratuity).
According to The Guide to the Regimental Museum at Belvoir Castle, the Regiment has a photograph of him [PB: i.e. WGC — CHECK], his miniature medals, a full-size D.C.M. named to "Troop Sergt. Major Wm. Geo. Cattermole. 17th Lancers.", the Turkish medal (French type) engraved in exactly the same way, Regimental brooch, and a silver tea-pot presented to him by his troop. Also held are documents relating to his application for an increase of pension and his manuscript story of the Charge. (See copies of these documents in the 17th Lancer file). There is no trace of his Crimean medal or of his Long Service & Good Conduct medal.
In 1992 WGC's great-grandson, Mr Bernard Cattermole, was visited at his Devonshire home by two elderly cousins, one of whom possessed William Cattermole's Long Service & Good Conduct medal (named to him as being in the "17th Lancers") and the other a photograph of Trumpet-Major Henry Joy of the 17th Lancers and William Cattermole. (See framed copy of this.)
Following a later visit to Mr. Bernard Cattermole by another relative, it was learnt that a letter exists in the family (but it is not clear from or to whom) to the effect that William Cattermole's Crimean medal was stolen by a soldier (presumably of the 17th Lancers) some time after its presentation to the regiment) and sold to an American serviceman. It is also now known that the cousin in possession of his Long Service & Good Conduct medal intends to present it to the regiment.
[PB: was it?]
Attended the first Balaclava Dinner in 1875.
Member of both 1877 & 1879 Balaclava Commemoration Society gatherings. He and 1113 Thomas Clark were committee members representing the 17th Lancers for both dates.
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879, and on the Committee.
In May 1954 the Camberley and Bagshot Observer published an article referring to WGC's grandson, Mr. A.H. Cattermole of Camberley, Surrey, who possessed his grandfather's medals and those of a John Bowen (see record of 957 John Bowen) for the Crimea. Also held were the medals of his father [PB: George William Cattermole, below?] who had served in the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa — the latter dying in 1915. This man is also said to have served in the 17th Lancers during the Zulu War of 1879. (However, no trace can be found of him on the medal roll of the 17th Lancers for this campaign.)
Also forming part of the article was a photograph of W.G. Cattermole in uniform, thought to have been taken soon after the Crimean campaign.
(There is a copy of this article in the 17th Lancer file.)
At some time towards the end of 1954 Mr. A.H. Cattermole died, and his widow carried out her late husband's wishes and gave all the medals and other items connected with the Crimea to the 17th/21st Lancers, then in Hamburg, Germany. An article appeared in the Camberley News, 22nd of October 1854, concerning the presentation.
(See copy in the 17th Lancer file.)
WGC's portrait appeared in the Illustrated London News, 30th of October 1875.
(Copy in the 17th Lancer file.)
1861 Census
Alma Road, Ordsall, East Retford, Nottinghamshire.
William G Cattermole, 41, Out-Pensioner Chelsea Hospital, [illeg.] Sergeant Cavalry, born Banham, Norfolk.
Maryanne, 41, born City of Cork, Ireland.
Six children are shown:
John H.F., 13, Scholar, born Dublin,
Adelaide, 11, Scholar, Dublin,
Clara, 9, Scholar, Woolwich, Kent,
Agnes A., 7, Scholar, Hounslow, Middlesex,
Eliza, 3, Scholar, Dublin,
Florence, 1, Canterbury, Kent.
Also WGC's father, 75, also named William, born Kirby Beadon, Norfolk [a little over 3 miles SE of Norwich].
From the 1st of October 1869, WGC was living in the No. 1 London, Pension District.
1871 Census
[PB: I cannot find William, Mary Anne or any of the children, which seems odd.]
Marriage registered
Florence Cattermole (daughter) to John Herrin, June Quarter 1879, Chelsea.
1881 Census
18, Crawshay Road, Lambeth.
William George Cattermole, 60, out pensioner, born Banham up Kenninghall, Norfolk.
Maryanne Cattermole, 60, born Banham up Kenninghall, Norfolk. (Deaf & dumb from birth.)
Maryanne Cattermole, 58, sister to Head, born Diss. [CP]
1881 Census
18, Crawshay Road, Lambeth, London.
WGC is shown as aged 60 years, an Out-Pensioner (no occupation), born at Banham Up Kenninghall, Norfolk.
His wife, Mary Ann Cattermole, 60, is shown as "Handicapped (deaf and dumb)", also born at Banham Up Kenninghall. (The recording of his wife's birthplace as the same as her husband's was probably for convenience, as she was the sister of 957 John Bowen of the 17th Lancers, born Christchurch, Co. Cork.)
His sister, Mary Anne Cattermole, 58, born at Diss, Norfolk, was also living with them. (This was the sister who died in St. John's Hospital at Wandsworth in December 1884 and buried in St Mary's Cemetery.)
[PB: are any other family members shown?]
WGC died on the 18th of May 1884. According to the Somerset House records a "William George Cattermole" died in the Wandsworth District at this time.
Death registered
William George Cattermole, aged 64 years, June Quarter 1884, Wandsworth.
According to his death certificate, WGC died at 28, Spencer Street, East Battersea, London, on the 18th of May 1884, from "Apoplexy", aged 64 years. A son, J.H.F. Cattermole, then living in Camberwell, London, was present at his death.
[PB: Is this the same as the modern Spencer Road, that runs between Battersea Rise and East Hill, at right angles to Elsynge Road? But this could hardly be described as "East" Battersea? See also below, where Spencer Street is shown as near "Park Road" — presumably today's Battersea Park Road, which certainly is East Battersea]
No trace of his burial can be found in the Wandsworth area. (See copy of his death certificate in the "Certificates" file.)
It is not clear if his wife, Mary Ann, was living with him at the time of his death, as the Administration Record of his personal estate shows that "Mary Ann Cattermole, the lawful widow and Relict of the said intestate having renounced the Letters of Administration...", or whether she just passed over to her son this responsibility. Neither were shown as living at 28, Spencer Street at the time of the 1881 Census, the house being occupied by two families and other family names appear in the Rates books for 1885.
(Administration of the personal estate (£130) of William George Cattermole, late of 28, Spencer Street, Park Road, Battersea, who died at No. 28 Spencer Street, Battersea, was granted at the Principal Registry to John Henry Flowerdew Cattermole, of Percy Villas, Nunhead Lane, Peckham Rye, Gentleman, the son and one of the next of kin, on the 8th of June 1884.)
From the Daily Telegraph, 4th of June 1884:
"Death of a Balaclava Veteran. Mr. William George Cattermole, one of the Balaclava heroes and a Yeoman of her Majesty's Body Guard has just died suddenly at the age of sixty-four. The deceased man was formerly a Troop Sergeant Major in the 17th Lancers and served throughout the Crimean campaign, taking part in the Light Brigade Charge where he received two slight wounds. He was the last man of his regiment to return from the fatal charge and was awarded the medal with annuity for distinguished conduct in the field. He was also in possession of the Crimean medal with four clasps, the Turkish medal and the medal for Long Service and Good Conduct."
[ADD IMAGE]
A water-colour sketch of Kadikoi Church in the Crimea and described on the mount as being "Drawn by Troop Sergeant Major W.G. Cattermole, 17th Lancers." has recently (1980) been found in an attic, and is now in the Regimental Museum. (There is a copy in the 17th Lancers files.)
1891 Census
31, Avenue, Lambeth
John Herrin, 37, Joiner, born Wellington, Somerset
Florence Herrin [daughter], 32, born Canterbury.
Margaret Herrin [granddaughter], 12, born New Zealand.
Mary Ann Cattermole, widow in law, 72, supported by children, born Ireland
Mary Herrin [sister of John], 31, born Wellington. Somerset.
NB. John & Florence are missing from the 1881 Census but their daughter was born in New Zealand c. 1879 (see 1891 Census above). Therefore the family must have gone to NZ shortly after marriage & returned before the 1891 Census
Death registered
Mary Anne Cattermole [wife], aged 81 years, September Quarter 1900, Wandsworth. [CP]
Marriage registered
Margaret Clara Herrin [granddaughter] to William Frederick Cook, December Quarter 1900, Wandsworth.[CP]
Death registered
Florence Herrin [daughter), aged 41 years, March Quarter 1902, Wandsworth. [CP]
1901 Census
48, Kay Road, Lambeth
Florence Herrin [daughter], mother-in-law, married [sic], 41, born Canterbury.
Living with her married daughter Margaret, born in Nelson, New Zealand, husband William Cook and their daughter Florence. [CP]
Birth registered
Florence Sophia Cook [great-granddaughter], June Quarter 1901, Lambeth. [CP]
1911 Census
1, Desenfans Road, Dulwich.
William Frederick Cook, 38, Civil Service, born Kennington.
Margaret Clara Cook [granddaughter] 31, born Nelson, New Zealand.
Florence Sophia Cook [great-granddaughter], 10, born Stockwell. [CP]
[PB: Notice the numerous family homes in fairly close proximity in South London — Wandsworth, Battersea, Clapham, Lambeth, etc.]
George Cattermole, the artist, was born at Dickleburgh, Norfolk, on the 8th of August 1800. His mother died when he was two and he was educated by his father, of independent means. At the age of 14 he was placed under John Britten, the antiquary. He was a full member of the Society of Water Colour Painters by 1827. Over the years he worked at landscapes and architectural drawings with equal skill and much of the latter was used by Sir Walter Scott in his novels. His work was known and exhibited in France and America, from the former of which he received one of the two "grandes medallies" awarded to English artists, the other being to Sir Edward Landseer. His friendship and work with Charles Dickens also brought him into the world of amateur dramatics.
As a young man he was an excellent whip, and fond of driving stage-coaches. In June of 1839 he was offered a knighthood, which he refused. Soon after this he married Clarisa Hester Elderton, the daughter of James Elderton, Deputy Remembrancer of the Exchequer and afterwards lived at 4, Cedars Road, Clapham, London, from 1863. In that same year he received the news of the death of his son, Lieut. Ernest George, who died at Umballa, India, while doing duty with the 22nd Native Infantry. This, coupled with the shock of losing a daughter shortly before, sent him into a severe depression, from which he never recovered. He died on the 24th of July 1865 and was buried in Norwood Cemetery. His eldest surviving son, Leonardo, was well known for the grace and spirit of his pictures of horses.
Richard Cattermole became Secretary of the Royal Society of Literature in 1823, afterwards entering the Church. He died at Boulogne, France, in December of 1858. During his lifetime he edited and wrote a great number of theological works, as well as The Great Civil War of the Times of Charles I and Cromwell, with "30 highly finished engravings" by his artist brother.
[PB: In 2017, this was available online in a variety of formats, here.]
WGC's sister Mary Anne, also lived at 28, Spencer Street, Battersea, and on the 4th of December 1882 was admitted as a Lunatic to the County Lunatic Asylum (later St. John's Hospital) at Wandsworth [PB: Check. I thought St John's was a workhouse hospital at this time. Wasn't Springfield Hospital, Burntwood Lane, the County Lunatic Asylum at this time?]. Then aged 60, single, a lace-maker by trade, Church of England by religion, the physician's report on her being: "Of unsound mind. She is quite demented, fatuous in her conduct and appearance, wanders about the Ward in a purposeless manner. She also interferes with, and alarms the other patients". Her nearest relative was shown as Brother, William George Cattermole. Dying in the Asylum, she was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery on the 3rd of December 1884, her age then being shown as 65.)
Six children were born into the family [PB: whose?], the youngest, Albert Henry Flowerdew, being the A.H. Cattermole who presented the Cattermole and Bowen medals to the regiment in 1954 and the third child, John Whittle (1877-1947) who married Elizabeth Cullis (1880-1960), became the father of the Bernard C. Cattermole.
In 1980 Bernard Cattermole (who married Elizabeth Andrade, 1947) wrote to the then Regimental Secretary requesting information on his great-grandfather. The letter being passed on [to EJB], it was he who kindly provided the information on the greater family quoted above. The family connection with the Crimea turned full circle with his son marrying a descendant of Lord Raglan.
J.H.F. Cattermole (born c.1847, died October 1926, aged 79 years), his wife, Jane, nee Whittle, whom he had married in 1874 (died December 1905, aged 57 years) and other members of his family are buried in Grave No. 9742 in Forest Hill Cemetery, London. A marble cross and kerb is over the grave. His father, William George Cattermole, is not buried there, as believed by the family.
A George William Cattermole, almost certainly another of WGC and Mary Ann's children, was born c.1861 [PB: i.e. after Florence, and after the 1861 Census] at Ordsall, near Retford, Nottinghamshire, and enlisted in the 17th Lancers at London on the 8th of March 1878 at the age of 17 years and 3 months. He was of a fresh complexion, hazel eyes, auburn hair, and 5' 7" in height. His Regimental number was 2096 and his religion C. of E.
He twice served in India, from the 10th of March 1880 to the 9th of November 1889 and again from the 2nd of September 1890 to the 7th of October 1891. He also changed regiments, as he served in the 9th Lancers as No. 3025, back to the 17th Lancers as No. 2586, the 8th Hussars as No. 3433 and finally to the 16th Lancers as 3233.
On the 8th of April 1889 he had re-engaged to complete 21 years service, but he did not finish his time however, being discharged (still as a Pte.) at Sheffield on the 7th of October 1892. No reason seems to be shown for this. His conduct was described as "Regular, good, and temperate".
He does not appear to have married while in the Army. His next of kin was shown "Father, Wm. George Cattermole, 26 Paulton Square, King's Road, Chelsea".
Just when this was recorded is unclear, but his parents were not shown as living there according to the 1881 Census Return, the house being occupied by a Jane Buckton, a widow and a lodger, George L. Bowen, aged 29, born at St. Neots, Hertfordshire and a Barrister (in practice). His surname however is a family one, and there could well have been a relationship.
He could well have been the "Trooper G.W. Cattermole" whose South African War medal with clasp for Cape Colony is in the Regimental Museum, being then about 40 years old.
13678 Trooper George William Cattermole enlisted into 115 Company 25th Batt. (Sharpshooters) at 2, Suffolk Street. London, on the 6th of February 1900. Stated as having been born at Ordsall, East Retford, Notts, of a fair complexion, brown eyes, auburn hair, and of the C. of E. religion. He claimed previous service in the 9th, 16th and 17th Lancers only, and to have been discharged as "time expired". His occupation was "Employed by the Corps of Commissionaires." He served in South Africa from the 13th of March to the 14th of September 1900.
Discharged by "Own request — Services no longer required in connection with the S.A. War". He intended to live at 119, Stormont Road, Clapham Common. Possesses 3rd Class Certificate of Education. Next of Kin — Sister, Adelaide Cattermole, Girl's School House, Hollington, near St. Leonard's, Sussex. [PB: Adelaide, born 1850, was WGC and Mary Ann's second child.]
He re-enlisted at London on the 17th of September 1901, again going to South Africa from the 19th of October 1901. Here he served at the base Depot of the Imperial Yeomanry at Mailland Camp., being discharged fron Gosport — same grounds as before — on the 19th of May 1902. His trade was then shown as clerk, and his next of kin as his elder brother, John Cattermole, of 99, Nunhead Lane, Peckham, and his sister, Adelaide.
His medal was issued to him on the 10th of September 1902, when he was living at 3, Mirabel Street, Fulham, London, S.W.8.
EJB: From Colonel G.L.V. Pring, Commandant of the Corps of Commissionaires, comes the information that George William Cattermole joined the Corps on the 12th of December 1892. His Corps Succession No. was 8493 and his Corps No. — as worn — was 1284. He is shown as having "Resigned from the Corps" on the 17th of February 1900.
1911 Census
13 Burrage Road, Plumstead, SE.
George William Cattermole, 49, Single, Lodger, General Labourer, Royal Arsenal, Government, Worker, born Ordsall, East Retford, Notts, British Subject by parentage.
He was living in the home of Charles Arthur, a Dock Labourer working in the Albert Docks, born Paddington, and his wife of four years, Sarah Jane, 61, born Claremount [?], Ireland. [PB]
Additional marriage, birth and death registrations, and Census information for 1861, 1881, 1901, 1911, kindly provided by Chris Poole.