LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive
Last amended 4.6.11. Minor edits 27.4.14.
IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION
898, Private William / Edward BEETHAM — 17th Lancers
Also recorded as "Beetham", "Bettam", "Beettam", "Bettam", "Belttam". [CHECK VARIANT NAMES]
Birth & early life
Born at Cheltenham on 16th of August 1829.
Enlistment
Enlisted at Birmingham on the 15th of January 1847.
Age: 18 years 3 months.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Shoemaker.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Dk. brown hair.
Service
Sent to the Regimental Depot at Brighton on the 19th of April 1854.
"Absent", 26th-30th of May 1854, and in Garrison Cells 29th-31st 1854.
[CHECK DATES]
Embarked on the 24th of June 1854, one of a party of seven men, joining the regiment at Varna on the 13th of August 1854.
At Scutari: 13th of December 1854 — 11th of May 1855.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
The July-September 1858 muster rolls show him as being "On Field Service" during this period.
Served in the field at Rajghur and Mungrowlee with Captain William Gordon.
A board to consider his discharge sat at Secunderbad on the 18th of November 1863.
To be discharged, "at own request", eligible for right of registry for a deferred pension of 4d. per day upon reaching the age of 50 years.
Sent to Bombay on the 23rd of November 1863.
On passage to England from the 21st of January 1863 and at the Canterbury Depot from the 21st of May 1863.
Discharge & pension
Discharged from the Canterbury Cavalry Depot on the 28th of May 1864.
Served 17 years 135 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea, 2 years.
India, 5 years 11 months.
Aged 35 years 5 months on discharge.
Conduct: "very good". In possession of one Good Conduct badge.
Never tried by Court-martial.
Pension details are shown to the 23rd of November 1875. Is shown on a single sheet in WO/31/2 dated the 4th of January 1876: "Edward Beetham, pension of 8d. per day. Army Reserve Force." This pension was back-dated to commence on the 26th of October 1875.
(He had gone on the "A" Reserve (2nd Class) at Birmingham on the 23rd of July 1868 under the name of Edward Beettam.)
Intended to live at 1, Sandford Terrace, Cheltenham, after discharge.
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Mutiny medal without clasp.
Further detailed medal information archived.
Commemorations
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877 and 1879. He is shown as W. Beetham on the 1877 list and E. Beetham on the 1879 list.
His initial is shown as "E" on the 1879 list of members of the Society and his name is shown as "Edward" on some muster and medal rolls.
Life after service
To live at 1, Sandford Terrace, Cheltenham on discharge
In an Account and Address Book formerly used by James W. Wightman when he was Secretary of the Balaclava Association, his address was shown as "10 House, 9 Court, Sheepcote St, Birmingham."
Births registered.
Frank Beetham, born c. 1865, Wednesbury.
Harry George Beettam, September Quarter 1869, Birmingham.
Louisa Mary Beetem, June Quarter 1871, Birmingham.
William Beetam, September Quarter 1872, Birmingham.
James Beettam, June Quarter 1873, Birmingham.
Rosanna Beettem, September Quarter 1874, Birmingham.
Thomas Alfred Beettam, December Quarter 1875, Birmingham.
John Beetam, December Quarter 1878, Birmingham.
[Note variant spellings.]
1871 Census
Ryland Street, Born Court, 6 House, Ladywood, Birmingham. [PB: sic?]
Edward Beettam, 42, Storekeeper, born Cheltenham.
Rosanna, 32, born Bilston.
Frank, 5, born Wednesbury.
Harry, 2, born Birmingham.
Louisa, 3 months.
Also a lodger.
1871 Census
7, Bread Street, Birmingham.
Edward Bettam is shown as "Belttam" in the 1881 Census. He is described as aged 52, a Storekeeper, born at Cheltenham. His wife Rosanna was aged 42, born at Peant near Oswestry, Denbigh.
Eight children are shown, 7 sons and 2 daughters: the eldest, Frank, aged 15, and the youngest, John, aged 2. [RM]
From descendant family sources in the USA it is known that Bettam [sic?] emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1886. His wife and all his children are known to have accompanied him.
1881 Census.
7 Bread Street, Birmingham.
Edward Belttam, 52, Storekeeper, born Cheltenham.
Rosanna Belttam, 42, born Pant, 6 miles south of Oswestry.
Frank Belttam, 15,Gas Fitter, born Wednesbury.
Harry Belttam, 11, Scholar, born Birmingham.
Louisa Belttam, 10, born Birmingham.
William Belttam, 8, born Birmingham.
James Belttam, born Birmingham.
Rosanna Belttam, 6, born Birmingham.
Thomas Belttam, 4, born Birmingham.
John Belttam, 2, born Birmingham.
* The 'l' in Belttam on the Census is poorly transcribed which probably caused confusion. It should be an 'e', i.e. Beetham.
Death & burial
Died 14th of March 1893 in Toronto, Canada.
He was buried in St. James's Street Cemetery, Parliament Street, Toronto, in a plot (Grave No. 19 Second Range), belonging to the St. George's Society. As with all the common graves there, it is unmarked. He was buried under the name of Edward Beetham. The Cemetery records show him as "Sergeant E. Beetham, aged 66. Born England — Died Toronto. Buried 16th March 1893."
There is a photograph of his grave-area (in the centre foreground from the path edge and to the right of the flat tombstone), and a general view of the St. George's Plot and the St. George's Memorial, in the 17th Lancer file.
"In loving memory of Edward Beetham died ? ? 1883 aged 66 [?] years. One? of? the ? ? of the Light Brigade of? the? noble 600. Rosa [?] Richards wife of Edward Beetham ???? 1864? ????" [Source: Jack O'Reilly, RCMP Veterans' Assoctn, Toronto, Ontario.]
(Click on image to enlarge)
Jack O'Reilly (RCMP Veterans' Assoctn, Toronto, Ontario), Dec 2018:
"I took a photo of the Beetham marker a few years ago. It is not a good photo as the marker is over 100 years old but you can see the name and the date 1883... I should see if I can clean it up a bit on my next visit to St James' but that won't be until next Spring."
Memorial, St George's Society of Toronto, 1895.
[Source: Jack O'Reilly, RCMP Veterans' Assoctn, Toronto, Ontario.]
(Click on image to enlarge)
From "Personal News" in the Canadian Military Gazette, published in Montreal 1st of April 1893:
"Edward Beetham, who died in Toronto on the 14th of March, is believed to have been the last survivor in Canada of the heroes of the Light Brigade Charge at Balaclava on the 25th of October 1854. He had belonged to the 17th Lancers, and served throughout the war, receiving the medal.
He had in his possession a book presented to him by Lady Cardigan, who, at her own personal expense, gave to all of the survivors a souvenir of this description. The book bears his name, his regiment and the name of the donor. A short time after the Russian campaign Lady Cardigan gave a banquet to the survivors of the charge, which Private Beetham was himself unable to attend, being sick at Birmingham. In answer to his letter of regret, Lady Cardigan sent him an autographed letter with a £1 note enclosed.
After the Crimean War Private Beetham's regiment was ordered to India where he took part in the Relief of Lucknow [sic]. For this he received the Indian medal and also a China medal [sic] for service in that land. Private Beetham had seen service in all parts of the British Empire when he came to Canada to make a home for himself and his family.
Seven years ago he commuted his pension from the British Government, and from the money raised brought his family here from England. For some years he had been doing no active labour, illness unfitting him for any continued exertion.
On his death-bed he expressed a wish to be buried with military honours; this request was honoured under the authority of Lieutenant-Colonel Otter, C.C. The No. 2 Company of the C.R.I. formed the firing-party and a large deputation of Her Majesty's Army and Navy veterans followed to the grave all that was mortal of the old Lancer."
(See photograph of him in civilian clothes, another of one of his sons, and a copy of a memorial card to him. The originals of these were in the possession of a family descendant in the USA in 2000.)
Extract from The Globe (Toronto), 15th of March 1893:
"During the regular meeting of the Army and Navy Veterans last night news was received of the death of Private Edward Beetham, late 17th Lancers, who is believed to be the last representative in Canada of the "Noble Six Hundred." The gallant old soldier had seen much hard service. His Crimean medal bore the clasps for the battles of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. He was also present at some of the fiercest engagements of the Indian Mutiny.
He emigrated to Canada some seven years ago. He was a native of Birmingham and was nearly seventy years of age at the time of his death. The last time the old soldier was seen in public was at the Annual Dinner of the Army and Navy Veterans held at the Walker House three years ago, on which occasion he gave a thrilling and graphic account of the immortal charge. He was not a member of the Army and Navy Veterans and therefore his wife and daughters cannot derive any benefits from that Association.
The date of the funeral is not yet fixed, nor the place of burial, but wherever it may be the remains of the poor old soldier will be followed to their last resting-place by so many of his comrades-in-arms."
The Globe, 17th of March 1893:
"Toronto's Old Hero. — Interesting incidents in the life of the lately deceased member of the "Noble Six Hundred." — Belleville, March 16th. (Special) "The Inteligencer" tonight says: "Mrs. G..S. Tickell, Church Street, was interviewed today, and some interesting facts gleaned of the career of her deceased brother, Edward Beetham, late of the 17th Lancers, who died in Toronto on Tuesday night. The deceased was the last survivor in Canada of the "Six Hundred." He was born in Cheltenham 68 years ago and was a descendant of a long line of war stock. His grandfathers on both sides were officers in the English navy and served with honour under Nelson. The deceased had naturally a strong liking for the army, and at an early age left his native town and went to Birmingham, where he connected himself with the militia.
His first important service was during the Irish troubles, when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The distressing scenes in Ireland during the potato famine, as witnessed by Sergeant Beetham, beggared description. In some cases the British soldiers shared their rations with the starving tenants...
After returning to London he joined the 17th Lancers and embarked for the Crimea with a broken leg. Being of a strong and rugged nature he had completely recovered by the time they reached the Crimea. It was also due to a strong constitution that he was able to endure the terrible hardships and privations to which the soldiers were subjected during that memorable campaign. By the time clothing arrived the military were almost reduced to nakedness, while half-starved to death. The deceased gave as much as a sovereign for a mere crust of bread. He served in the battles of the Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava, and Sebastopol. It was during his service in the Crimea that the deceased contracted rheumatism, which was the immediate cause of his death.
From the Crimea he was ordered to India to assist in quelling the Mutiny. He had a brother serving in India in the Civil Service at the time whom he had not seen for twenty five years, but before they met the brother was dead with sun-stroke. During the engagement three horses were shot under him but in all of his many engagements the only injury he sustained was from a horse falling on him. His service in India was short when the troops were called home.
On his return to England he claimed his discharge for foreign service, which counts double for one year's service in England. Retiring from the Army, he joined the Birmingham police force, and was at one time in the detective service.
He emigrated to Canada with his family seven years ago. He was noted for his bravery and courage and would risk his own life to save that of another human being. Some time ago in Toronto he saved a woman who was in immediate danger of being run down in the street. Had it not been for his promptness in snatching her from her position she would have been killed. He refused at accept any reward, stating that he had done nothing that a British soldier would not have been glad to do. He saved a number of lives by his bravery.
The funeral of Beetham will take place this afternoon, and in accordance with what is understood to have been his last wish, Colonel Otter has decided that the old soldier shall be borne to the grave with military honours."
The Globe, 18th of March 1893:
"Edward Beetham's Funeral. — The funeral of Edward Beetham took place from his late residence to St. James's Cemetery. Colonel Otter had arranged that in accordance with his last wish, and in deference to the fact that he was the last survivor in Canada of the "Six Hundred" he should be borne to his grave with military honours. Deceased was not a member of the Army and Navy Veterans, but many representatives of that organisation were nevertheless present.
The funeral service was conducted by the Reverend Anthony Hart, Rector of St. Mary's Church. Colonel Otter and No. 2 Company C.R.I. were present and there were representatives in uniform from all the City military organisations, viz., Queen's 0wn Grenadiers, 48th Highlanders, the Field Battery and the 12th York Rangers. The coffin was borne on one of the gun-carriages of the Toronto Field Battery, and when it was placed in the grave a firing-party from the No. 2 Company fired three volleys over it.
An Old Soldier at Rest. — The funeral of the late Edward Beetham, 17th Lancers, and the last representative in Canada of the famous "600" who charged the whole of the Russian army at Balaclava, took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of a very large assembly of admirers of the fine old man. The remains were escorted from Preston Avenue by a detachment and the band of the C. of E. School to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Dovercourt Park, where the funeral service was held. The pall-bearers had been specially chosen by an ex-President of the Veterans at the request of the deceased's family, and all had been with the Imperial Army. They were Sergeant-Major J. Fisler, Scots Greys, Sergeant James Freeman, 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade, J. Pearce, Trumpeter, R.A., J. Houghton, 8th Hussars, James Hall, R.A., and Jesse Butler, Royal Marines. The first three were Crimean veterans, Trumpeter Pearce having sounded the advance of the guns which covered Lord Cardigan's charge. The Army and Navy Veterans were of course, present in large numbers, and were led by President Alex Muir. The coffin was followed by the four sons of the deceased veteran, his wife and daughter,. Three volleys were fired over the grave, which is in St. George's Plot, a fit resting-place for a brave and faithful soldier."
From a letter received from the Secretary of the St. George's Society in 1986:
"First may I say that Mr. Beetham was not an active member of the Society. His name does not appear amongst the members of the Society. Yes, he was buried in the St. James's Cemetery, all the arrangements having been made by the St. George's Society. It was then the custom to arrange for the burial of anyone who had no friends or the resources to do so. It is also of interest to note that Sergeant Beetham was aged 66 years when he was buried on the 26th of March 1893. On January 13th 1894 a Samuel James Beetham, aged 25 years, was buried in the same grave. Could the latter have been a son of Sergeant Beetham?"
Further information
From further research he would appear to have gone on the "A" Reserve after leaving the "Colours", as on the 4th of January 1876 he is shown in WO/117/24 as "Edward" Beetham, having served in the 17th Lancers for 17 years 4 months and on the "A" Reserve for 7 years 4 months. Only half of this service was to count, 3 years 8 months, having completed 21 years service and being granted the 8d. per day pension as already noted. (An addendum stated: S.O.P. Birmingham states — Pension commenced 26th Dec. 1875.)
He was said to be 47 years of age, and in the possession of one Good Conduct badge (not to count). He had served 2 years in the Crimea and 5 years 11 months in India, was a shoemaker by trade, born in Cheltenham, Gloucs. His physical details were repeated as before.
[EJB: This "Reserve" service was only classed as "half-service" to qualify for any additional pension in addition to the "deferred" one of 4d. (or 6d.) per day to which a soldier under the regulations was entitled to.]
According to the records, he would not normally have been entitled to the 4d. per day pension of his rank until the 15th of September 1878, when he would have been 50 years of age. From other known information he must have commuted this to a lump-sum about 1885-86.
The practice of "commuting" pensions was not one encouraged by the authorities as in many cases it left the men destitute in old age or sickness and entirely dependent upon charity or the work-house. It was also, for instance, not then possible for ex-soldiers to emigrate to America, for fear of becoming a charge on the country.]
References & acknowledgements
Census information for 1871 and 1881, Birth registrations, and further information about the Balaclava Commemoration Society kindly provided by Chris Poole.
The editors would like to thank Jack O'Reilly, RCMP Veterans' Assoctn, Toronto, Ontario, for contacting the EJBA in December 2018. He has provided information and a number of images and very useful additional information.]
