Born in Bray Town near Maidenhead, Berkshire, and christened at Bray on the on the 24th of October 1830, the son of Simon Wilder and his wife Sarah, nee Allen.
His father had been twice married, the first being to Sarah Gates, a spinster from Little Morton, Bucks, whom he had married at Bray on the 23rd of October 1813.
She died at the age of 27, soon after the birth of their fifth child, and was buried at Bray on the 2nd of April 1822.
His father (now shown as a Fisherman, whereas he was previously a Labourer) married again on the 4th of November 1822, this time to Sarah Allen of Bray, "with the consent of her parents" [which implies she was under 21].
Nine children were born from this second marriage, Anthony being the sixth.
A brother, Leonard, the eighth child, baptised on the 9th of March 1834, also later served in the same regiment. Having previously been in another regiment (13th Light Dragoons), he probably transferred, as was often allowed, "to serve with elder brother."
See record of1716 Leonard Wilder, 11th Hussars.
1998: No family connection between the Anthony and Leonard Wilder (although surmised) was confirmed until 1998 when the present vicar of St Michael's Church at Bray kindly furnished details from the parish records.
1841 Census
Taplow, Bucks.
Simon Wilder, 45, Fisherman.
Sarah, 15.
Anthony, 11.
Leonard, 7.
James, 5.
Lewis.
Joshua, 2.
Enlisted at Hounslow on the 19th of October 1849.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 9".
Trade: None shown, but as a Fisherman on discharge.
1851 Census
Cavalry Barracks, Pockthorpe, Norwich.
Anthony Wilder, 20, unmarried, Soldier, Private, born Bray.
Sent money from the Crimea to his sister, Sarah Myles.
Marriage registered [1st]
Anthony Wilder married Amelia Hulbard, September Quarter 1857, Edmonton.
Births registered
Anthony James Leonard Wilder [son], December Quarter 1858, Brighton.
Emily Elizabeth Sarah Wilder [daughter], March Quarter 1861, Marylebone.
John Rowland Wilder [son], September Quarter 1863, Bedminster.
Edward Percy Wilder [son], December Quarter 1865, Bedminster.
Discharged, "by purchase", from Birmingham on the 4th of July 1860, by a payment of £10.
Served 10 years 256 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months.
Conduct: "good".
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
Attended the first Balaclava Banquet in 1875.
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.
Signed the Loyal Address to the Queen in 1887.
Attended the Annual Dinners in 1890, 1892 and 1893.
Appears on a photograph taken after the 1890 Dinner. (There is a copy in the 11th Hussar file.)
According to obituary reports, he was employed for 31 years as a policeman by the Great Western Railway at the Temple Meads Station at Bristol.
He was twice married and had four children by his first wife, Amelia.
1871 Census
74, St Jukes Road, Bedminster.
Anthony Wilder, 40, Railway Policeman, born Bray.
Amelia Wilder, 39, born London
Anthony, 10, scholar, born Brighton.
Emily, 10, scholar, born London.
John, 8, scholar, born London.
Edward, 6, scholar, born Bristol
[CP:The Census states Anthony is 10 although his birth date suggests it should be 12.]
Amelia Wilder died of "Apoplexy" in 1878 at the age of 50.
Death registered
Amelia Wilder [1st wife], aged 50, December Quarter 1878, Bedminster.
1881 Census
97, Weare Road, Bedminster.
Anthony Wilder, 50, widower, Policeman B.R. Station, born Maidenhead.
Emily, 20.
John, 19, Porter G.W. Station.
Edward, 17, Printer.
Marriage registered [2nd]
Anthony Wilder married Mary Ann White, December Quarter 1881, Chipping S. [presumably Chipping Sodbury, north-east of Bristol?]
Marriage registered
Anthony James L Wilder [son] married Agnes Georgiana Wingrove, December Quarter 1887, Cookham.
1891 Census
Royal Mineral Water Hospital, St Peter & St Paul, Walcot, Bath.
Anthony Wilder, Patient, male, 61, Policeman (Great Western Railway, ret.), born Maidenhead.
Died at No. 140 York Road, Bedminster, Bristol, on the 14th of October 1894 and was buried in the Arnos Vale Cemetery on the 18th of October 1894.
Death registered
Anthony Wilder, aged 63, December Quarter 1894, Bedminster.
His death certificate shows that he died, aged 63, from "Heart Disease, Syncope".
His occupation is shown as "Late, Railway Policeman".
An Alice Diment, of the same address, was present at, and the informant of his death. (See copy of this in the "Certificates" files.)
His grave is in a private burial plot and in a neglected part of the cemetery, Square C.C. Grave No. 744. When found recently [1976] completely covered in ivy. The stone bears the following inscription:
"Anthony Wilder, who fell asleep October 14th 1894. A devoted husband and father. "One of the Noble Six Hundred.
Also of Mary Ann Ball, the dearly beloved wife of the above, who fell asleep October 28th 1903, aged 68 years."
There is a photograph of the gravestone in the 11th Hussar file.
Extract from theBroad Arrow for the 27th October 1894:
"11th Hussars - The death is announced as having taken place at Bedworth, Bristol, at the age of 63, of Mr Anthony Wilder, who until the last few years, was employed by the Great Western Railway at the Temple Meads Station at Bristol as a policeman.
He was widely known, both on account of his interesting history, his kindly and courteous manner to all; and in his railway uniform with the two war medals on his breast he was one of the most conspicuous figures at the station and very popular.
After thirty-one years in the railway's employ he was forced to retire due to ill-health and died after a short illness on the 14th of October 1894; he was subsequently buried with full military honours at Arnos Vale Cemetery on the 18th October after an impressive funeral attended by large crowds.
The deceased served with the 11th Hussars and was in the Charge at Balaclava.
Mr. Wilder was at the Alma Banquet in Bristol last month, and took part with other veterans in the Lifeboat procession on the 22nd of September."
Extracts from the "Bristol Evening News" of the 15th of October 1894:
"Obituary Column. WILDER. October the 14th, at 140 York Road, New Cut, Bedminster, Anthony Wilder, late of the 11th Hussars, in his 64th year.
Crimean Veteran's Death
"It will be learnt with regret that Anthony Wilder has died at his residence, 140 York Road, Bedminster, and thus the small band of Light Brigade heroes lose yet another comrade.
Anthony Wilder was well known in Bristol and was deservedly respected, not only from the fact of his having taken part in the historic Charge at Balaclava but also on account of his most genial manner and courteous behaviour to all to whom he came in contact with.
For many years his figure was familiar to those who frequented the Bristol Terminus, but failing health incapacitated him from following his occupation as a railway police officer, and for some time he had been enjoying a well-earned rest.
In the local War Veteran's Association he took the deepest interest and it will be readily understood that his comrades were proud to have amongst them one who had such a famous record.
He was always ready to give his assistance when needed and although far from being well he took part in the recent Lifeboat Demonstration and it is probable that the unfavourable weather hastened his death He was taken seriously ill soon after, and as already stated, expired yesterday morning.
His presence will be sadly missed from the annual gathering of Lght Brigade survivors to commemorate the 35th anniversary of that celebrated charge which takes place on the 25th of this month.
Extracts from local newspapers of the period [unknown sources]:
"Death of a Light Brigade Hero in Bristol"
"By the death of Mr Anthony Wilder in Bristol on Sunday morning, there has passed away one of the few remaining survivors (all that was left of them) of the historic Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, the fortieth anniversary of which will be celebrated on the 25th inst.
Mr Wilder, who was a native of Maidenhead, Berkshire, enlisted in the 11th Hussars when only 19 years of age, and went through the Crimean campaign, receiving the English and Turkish medals, After twelve years' service, he left the Army and then settled in Bristol as a member of the Great Western Railway police force.
He became widely known, both on account of his interesting history, his manner to all who came into contact with him and in his railway uniform with the two war medals on his breast he was one of the most conspicuous figures on the station.
He attended the Alma Banquet at Bristol last month and the War Veteran's Church parade at the Cathedral, and with the other Bristol veterans joined in the Lifeboat Demonstration on September the 22nd.
He remained in the Great Western Company's employ for 31 years, until failing health compelled him to retire.
For some time past he has been enjoying a well-earned rest, but died after a short illness on Sunday morning at his home at 140 York Road, New Cut, He leaves a widow and four children by his first wife.
His funeral is expected to be held on Thursday and will be taken part in by the Veteran's Association, in which Society Mr Wilder had always manifested a deep and passionate interest.
Mr Wilder was the only representative of the famous Charge now living in Bristol, but we believe that Lord Hilton of Ammerdown Park near Radstock is now the sole Light Brigade survivor in this neighbourhood."
One of the Light Brigade
"The death of the last Bristol survivor of the famous Charge of the Light Brigade at the battle of Balaclava and the numbers left are increasingly diminishing in number.
When the survivors meet at their anniversary dinner on the 25th of this month, the soldier-like handsome face of Anthony Wilder will be missing and those of his old comrades of the 11th Hussars who survive will mourn the loss of one who accompanied them on that wild and memorable charge when some 600 brave and fearless horsemen obeyed the call of duty and boldly rode down that terrible valley into the jaws of death.
Amongst the few who came back was Anthony Wilder, who had passed through the shot and shell unscathed and running through the gauntlet of Russian sabres and Cossack lances on his return reached the safety of the Allied lines comparatively unhurt.
Three other survivors of the Light Brigade settled in Bristol after leaving the Army.
For many years his was a well known figure at the railway station where he discharged the duties of a railway policeman, but becoming incapacitated due to declining health had to retire, When a forgetful country has allowed several members of this gallant band to end their days in the workhouse, it is a matter of gratification to know that the last years of Anthony Wilder were not passed in poverty.
The old city of Bristol has proved an asylum from time to time for a large number of Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans, many of whom are still residing amongst us, but the death of Anthony Wilder removes the last of the rank and file from the former amongst us who followed Lord Cardigan forty years ago in that brilliant but hopeless charge which proved a death ride for so many.
When the Anniversary Dinner of the Light Brigade was initiated in London some 19 or 20 years ago, the representatives from Bristol who attended were Sergeant-Major James Kelly, at that time Troop Sergeant Major of the Charlton Troop of the North Somerset Yeomanry, Sgt, Edward Martin of the 13th Light Dragoons, Anthony Wilder of the 11th Hussars and Wallace McHeath, also of that regiment.
One by one death has claimed them, and on Thursday the last honours were paid to a brave man who served his country faithfully and well."
The Funeral of a Balaclava Hero
This afternoon, a crowd of persons, which must have numbered quite 2,000, assembled in the vicinity of St Luke's Church, Bedminster, to pay a last tribute of respect to the last of Bristol's citizens who participated in the memorable charge at Balaclava in the person of Mr Anthony Wilder, who died at his residence in York Road, Bedminster on Sunday morning last.
It was fitting that such an old and esteemed warrior should have a military interment and the local Volunteers were not slow in seizing the opportunity to honour one to whom honour was due.
The funeral procession left York Road soon after two o'clock and was preceded by a firing party of the Bristol Engineers under Sergeant Butcher.
Following these smart young fellows who marched with measured tread and slow, with arms reversed, came the Band of the Engineers playing the Dead March in "Saul", the drums, as is customary, being muffled.
The body, which was borne on an artillery gun-carriage from the Horfield Depot, was smartly equipped and covered with beautiful flowers, mutely testifying that its rider had answered the last roll-call.
His previous military equipment was also carried on it and on either side of the carriage walked two troopers of the Gloucestershire Hussars, the rear being brought up by Quartermaster Sergeant Hunt, of the same smart Corps.
Next came the carriages containing the relatives of the deceased and after that about a hundred of the Veterans in civilian garb, their medal-spangled breasts bearing evidence of scenes more stirring and glamorous than these, The pall-bearers were Veterans and another participator who wore a tunic of the old 46th Foot carried a flag staff with the Union Jack hoisted at half-mast.
The rear of the procession was brought up by a large number of guards and other employees from the Temple Meads Joint Station, where for many years the deceased had carried on the occupation of railway police officer.
Other participants in the procession included many admirers of the late old hero and amongst them was the Revd. Wade, who, with the deceased had taken a great interest in the local War Veterans Association.
The service at the graveside was impressively and feelingly read by the Revd. W. F. Jephson, vicar of St Luke's Bedminster, who was also a warm supporter of that institution.
Along the road to Arnos Vale Cemetery, which was to be the place of interment, the crowd was large and sympathetic in its interest.
The bell of St Luke's Church was tolled as the funeral procession was being formed and left the vicinity for the cemetery."
[PB, January 2013: There is a reference to Anthony Wilder as a "Notable" who is buried in Arnos Vale on the"Friends of Arnos Vale" website.
Notice that 1613 James Kelly, 11th Hussars, is also listed.]
1998: Accompanying the sale of his medals at auction were several original documents and related items, including:
- an unframed oil-painting said to be of the recipient and his horse standing before the camp at Sebastopol, indistinctly signed and dated 1857. Some 24 inches wide and 18 inches high, it is in need of restoration. (The horse pictured however, is an officer's charger.)
- a leather-bound programme for the First "Fete and Banquet in Commemoration of the Charge of the Light Brigade, Alexandra Palace, October 25th. 1875." 32 pages in full red morocco with a gilt-lettered front cover and named presentation label on the inside cover.
- printed card souvenir menu for the Battle of the Alma's 40th Anniversary Banquet held in Bristol on the 20th September 1894 at which Wilder was present.
- printed newspaper obituaries for him and an account of his funeral procession and interment, a memorial card for him, and a mounted photograph of a wreath sent for the funeral of a J. Wilder, possibly a son, in 1901. (The latter states, "In memory of J. Wilder, who died 20th September 1901. A token of respect from fellow workmen of the G.W. Railway, Paddington, Eng. Dept."
There are copy photographs in the 11th Hussar file of the Commemoration programme with his medals superimposed, of the wreath sent for his son's funeral, and of the printed menu card for the Alma Banquet of 1894.
A framed copy portrait of him and the horse also exists.
Marriage registered
Mary Ann Wilder [2nd wife] married William Ball, June Quarter 1899, Bristol.
Death registered
Mary Ann Ball [2nd wife], aged 62, December Quarter 1903, Fulham.
Death registered
Anthony J.L.Wilder [son], aged 71, December Quarter 1930, Croydon.
Additional Census information for 1841, 1851, 1871, 1881, 1891, and details of numerous registrations of births, deaths and marriages kindly provided by Chris Poole.