Likenesses
[PB: Is this Fenton image more likely to be of 1495 Henry Hunt too?]
A Troop Sgt. Major Hunt appears in a group photograph of the 13th Hussars (said to have been taken by Roger Fenton) which, according to the Regimental History, was taken on the day after the battle of Balaclava. Yet [this cannot have been October 26th 1854 since] Fenton did not arrive in the Crimea until the spring of 1855 [Wikipedia says he was there 8 March 1855 — 22 June 1855), and T.S.M. Hunt himself was not in the Crimea until the 7th of February 1855. [Assuming it was taken by Fenton in the spring of 1855,] another man is shown, T.S.M. Lincoln, who was taken prisoner of war on the 25th of October 1854, so could not possibly have been in the photograph at all, let alone the day after.
Just when [or even who?] took this picture it is only possible to speculate. Even the naming of the individuals is not the same on copies of the picture held in different places. [PB: See the annotated photograph below. The same man is named Hunt in both keys, but as "TSM" (Troop Sergeant Major) in one, and "Tpr Sergt-Major" in the other. "Tpr"?]
Photograph annotated with two keys. Above, the key printed in the Regimental History, p.363. Below, the NAM key. Sergt Major Linkon (Reg. Hist.no.15), could not have been present as he was a prisoner of the Russians at this time (mid-summer 1855).
"Not shown" means there is no outline of the man in the key. "Not named" means there is an outline but no number or name. "Unknown" is as in the original key.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Clicking on this image will enlarge it somewhat. There is a high resolution image here.
[PB: For more on this and a related image, see Roger Fenton — Two photographs of the 13th Light Dragoons.]
Life after service
On discharge, to live at Cranford, Middlesex, but he later lived in Canterbury.
1881 Census
Ashley, Northbourne, Kent.
Edward Hunt, a Chelsea Pensioner, aged 54, born Isleworth, Middlesex, with his wife, Hannah, aged 40, born at Southall, Middlesex, and one son, Edward G., aged 14, a Scholar and born at Fulford, Yorkshire.
Given that his wife is now shown as Hannah, and his wife was named as Mary Ellen in 1867, it would appear that he had been twice married.
Death & burial
Further information
[THIS SECTION NEEDS TO BE CHECKED & CLARIFIED.]The "Medal Index Cards" in the National Archive show that Edward Hunt's son Sgt E. Hunt was awarded the 1914 Star (with clasp), the qualifying date being the 6th of November 1914. Written across the card were the words "Accidentally drowned".
The "Record of Soldiers who Died in the Great War" shows 9417 John Hunt, Cpl. (Act. Sgt.) 1st Bn. R.I.R. Born Ashford, Kent. Enlisted Armagh, (Clones, Co. Monaghan). Died, F. & F. 5/3/1915.
No 166 Edward Hunt was born at Fulford, York, and enlisted at the Dover Depot of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the 1st of December 1882, aged 19. He was 5' 11" in height, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and brown hair, his trade being that of a "Pork butcher", and his religion, C. of E.
To L/Cpl, 26th of April 1883; Cpl, 6th of October 1883; L/Sgt. 21st of December 1884. "In confinement," 10th of August — 15th of September 1887. Tried by Court-martial and reduced to Cpl. (offence not specified). "In confinement" (awaiting trial for "drunkenness on duty") 31st of March — 2nd of April, and tried and reduced to Pte. on the 3rd of April 1888.
Transferred to the "A" Reserve, 15th of March 1890, after 7 years 104 days service. Discharged from Ayr, Scotland. — on termination of 1st period of limited service (12 years) 30th of November 1894. Conduct on transfer to Reserve, "good". In possession of 2nd Class Certificate of Education.
Entitled to the Indian General Service Medal 1854-95, with clasp for Burma, 1885-87 — where he served in the 2nd. Bn. His next of kin was merely shown as "Father — Edward."
References & acknowledgements
Census information for 1851 and details of EH's presence in the 1890 photograph and Lord Mayor's Parade kindly provided by Chris Poole.