Service
Deserted from Dundalk on the 15th of February 1845 and rejoined the regiment on the 29th of March 1845. Tried by Regimental Court-martial and sentenced to 20 days' imprisonment.
At the time of his desertion he was described as being of a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and dark brown hair. His next of kin was shown as his father, William Allistone, living at Isleworth.
1851 Census
Pockthorpe Barracks, Norwich.
Thomas Allistone, 29, Soldier, Private, born Isleworth, Middlesex. [PB]
The Balaclava period muster roll states "Batman", but there is no indication to whom.
From Private to Corporal: 1st of March 1858.
Discharge & pension
Discharged from Brighton on the 23rd of December 1858, "Free, at own request, with right of registry for a deferred pension of 4d. per day upon reaching the age of 50 years."
Served 16 years 10 days.
Conduct and character: "good".
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
Likenesses
"The story of Balaclava told by one of the survivors (Thomas Allison [sic]) — Julia B. Matthews, Exhibited at the gallery of the Royal Society of British Artists", as shown in The Sketch, 31st of January, 1894, p.32.
[PB, April 2014: Notice TA's erect posture, and the prominence of his medals. The gently humorous image implies that the story, by then 40 years old, is still compelling, if only to boys. I chanced upon this image on the web. I have not been able to find anything more about the artist, Julia B. Matthews, or this painting. However, as only pp. 31-32 were available to view it is possible there is a commentary on another page.]
(Click on image to enlarge)
Life after service
He was for many years a warder at Millbank Penitentiary.
Millbank Penitentiary, from Mayhew & Binny [ADD INFO re source etc]
(Click on image to enlarge)
1881 Census
White Lodge, The Square, in the parish of St. John's, Richmond.
Thomas Allistone [sic], Coachman, aged 59 years, born in the parish of St. John's, Isleworth, Middlesex.
A lodger is also shown: John Holton, aged 62, a Gardener, also born at Isleworth.
____________
2, Pavilion Place, Chiswick.
Sarah Alliston [wife], married, 66, Housekeeper, born Isleworth.
In old age, Thomas Alliston entered the Almshouses in Richmond Road, Mortlake.
1891 Census
1, Hickey's Almshouses, Richmond.
Thomas Alliston, aged 68, born Isleworth, was living with his wife Sarah, aged 74, also born at Isleworth. [RM]
Hickey's Almshouses
"William Hickey, who died in 1727, left his property in trust to provide pensions for 6 men and 10 women. Hickey owned several important and valuable properties on Richmond Hill, including The Wick. By the start of the 19th century, the trust had to decide what to do with the large amount of income. So in 1834 it decided to build and endow 20 almshouses for 10 men and 10 women, plus a chapel, and 2 gate lodge cottages — 1 for a porter, the other for a nurseth — in Sheen Road. Since then another 29 dwellings have been built on land behind the original almshouses."
[Source: Richmond Libraries' Local Studies Collection (accessed online 3.5.12). PB (2012) edited the photograph to remove modern street furniture.]
Deaths registered
Sarah Allistone [sic], aged 79, September Quarter 1892, Richmond S.
Thomas Alliston [sic], aged 77, December Quarter 1896, Richmond S.
Death & burial
The death of a "Thomas Alliston", aged 77 years, is shown in the St Catherine's House records for the Richmond District, during the October-December Quarter of 1896.
His death certificate shows that he died from "Senile decay" at Hickey's Almhouses, Richmond, on the 27th of October 1896, aged 77 years, a Retired Prison Warder. Charlotte Durham, his niece, of No. 56 Hamilton Road, Brentford, was in attendance and the informant of his death
(There is a copy of the death certificate in the 11th Hussars "Certificates" file.)
There is a report of his funeral in the 11th Hussar file taken from the Richmond and Twickenham Times for the 31st of October 1896:
A Balaclava Hero's Burial
Following quickly on the one we reported in our Wednesday's issue has come another military burial in Richmond. This took place yesterday, when Trooper Thomas Allistone, a late inmate of Hickey's Almshouses was laid to his rest. More importance attached to the ceremony from the fact that the dead soldier was a Balaclava hero, having ridden in the memorable charge of "The Six Hundred."
He was born at Worton Lane, Isleworth, and had served 16½ years in the 11th Hussars with 200 of whom he rode "Into the Valley of Death". Only 18 of that regiment survived, and he was one of them, coming out of the fray without a scratch.
On leaving the service, the possessor of two medals, one for the Crimea and the Turkish medal, he was appointed a warder at Millbank Prison, and for fourteen years had charge of a number of cells there.
The corpse was taken into Hickey's Chapel, where part of the service was conducted by the Rev. Lionel Walsh. He referred in sympathetic tones to the career of the deceased trooper, and was glad to see that their departed friend was to be carried with honour to his last resting place.
At the close of the service the strains of the "Dead March" in "Saul" came from the organ, as the six carriers of the escort of Scots Greys raised the coffin to their shoulders, and keeping time to the solemn music, slowly wended their way to the gun-carriage which was to convey the remains of their soldier comrade to the cemetery.
Sir Charles and Lady Rugge-Price walked immediately behind the coffin, which was enveloped with the Union Jack, fastened on with the deceased's medals, and covered with wreaths, and then came the mourners.
The coffin having been deposited on the gun-carriage, Sergeant Washington, who was in charge of the escort, gave the order to "Salute" and the swords flashed for a moment in the sun, and then with swords at the "carry", they formed into half sections and slowly led the way up Queen's road to the cemetery, where, in the presence of a large crowd of sympathetic spectators the concluding portion of the Burial Service was read, and the coffin lowered by the six stalwart "Scots".
After the funeral, Sir Charles and Lady Rugge-Price entertained the escort at lunch.
Further articles include:
cite>Cork Daily Herald, 3 November 1896
(Click on image to enlarge)
Illustrated Police News, 7 November 1896. Notice the erroneous regiment.
(Click on image to enlarge)
He was buried in Grave No. 3494 Block R2, Grove Road Cemetery, Richmond, This is a common grave and no headstone was erected. (There is a photograph of his grave-site in the 11th Hussar file.)
For more on Richmond Cemetery, Grove Road, Richmond, see e.g.
References & acknowledgements
3 Feb 2025: We are grateful to Andrew Scott for providing the transcription of the report in the Richmond and Twickenham Times.
* He adds: "Julia Beatrice Ivimey (nee Matthews) was one of the Newquay artists from 1904 but her earlier address was Richmond Hill, Richmond, Surrey."
Two further newspaper articles kindly provided by Chris Poole.
![The story of Balaclava told by one of the survivors (Thomas Allison [sic]) – Julia B Matthews, Exhibited at the gallery of the Royal Society of British Artists, as shown in <i>The Sketch</i>, 31st of January, 1894, p.32. Click to enlarge.](alliston_t_1128_11H/alliston_t_1128_11H_painting_1894_8to7.jpg "The story of Balaclava told by one of the survivors (Thomas Allison [sic]) — Julia B Matthews, Exhibited at the gallery of the Royal Society of British Artists, as shown in <i>The Sketch</i>, 31st of January, 1894, p.32. Click to enlarge.")
