Added 18.12.12. Minor edits 31.10.14. Some information and a number of photographs added 18.1.2015, 19.1.2015.
IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION
Born at Bath on the 15th of March 1828, the son of Thomas Clutterbuck, Esq., of Hardenhuish Park, Wiltshire [near Chippenham], formerly of the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) and his wife, Henrietta, daughter of the political economist and financier David Ricardo, of Gatcombe Park and Bromesbury Place, Gloucestershire.
Educated at Eton College.
Cornet in the 8th Hussars: 22nd of December 1846.
Lieutenant: 22nd of December 1850.
Captain: 15th of December 1854.
Captain Clutterbuck served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battle of Balaclava (wounded) and the Siege of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasps.)
[PB, Jan. 2015: John Doyle mentions Clutterbuck critically in his Descriptive Account of the famous Light Brigade.]
"On the 24th of October, the day before the battle of Balaclava, I was an outlying picket; the picket was commanded by an officer named Clutterbuck. I saw the Russians taking up a fresh position and told Mr. Clutterbuck about it, but he took no notice of it. He ought to have sent to Lord Lucan about it, and then we might have had our redoubts manned for next day, instead of leaving the redoubts to the Turks who deserted them. As soon as the battle commenced, the Turks fled and left our guns for the Russians to turn upon us, which they did to our sorrow" (pp.14-15).
Kinglake mentions him briefly twice, including:
"In the 8th Hussars, Lieutenant Lord Fitzgibbon was killed, and Lieutenant Clutterbuck, Lieutenant Seager, and Cornet Clowes were wounded. Of the ten officers who went into action with the regiment. Colonel Shewell and Cornet Heneage were the only two of whom it could be said that both they and their chargers were unstricken."
[Source: A.W. Kinglake, Invasion of the Crimea (1877), vol.5, p.327.]
Clutterbuck was shown as being "slightly wounded in right foot" (another source says it was his left ankle) in action at Balaclava. Edward Seagar mentions him in a letter: "Clutterbuck who was on my left, got wounded in the right foot".
[PB, Jan. 2015: The Times reported on 18th November 1854 his arrival at Scutari:
The three wounded Captains of the 17th Lancers, Morris, White, and Webb, have arrived at the hospital at Scutari. Captain Webb had his leg amputated. Sir William Gordon, of the 17th, had also arrived, as well as Captain Maude, of the Royal Artillery; Captains Elmsall and Campbell and Cornet Hartop, of the Royal Dragoons, Captain Brown, of the 44th, Cornet the Hon. G. Neville, of the 5th Dragoon Guards, Lieutenant Clutterbuck, of the 8th, and Lieutenants Trevelyan and Houghton, of the 11th Hussars. Lieutenant Houghton was but slightly wounded.Brevet-Major Coats, 55th, and Vandeleur, Breedon, Byrne, and Marten, had also arrived sick.
Source: The Times, Saturday, November 18, 1854, p. 10, issue 21902, column A, transcribed AM.)
A medical certificate, signed by three doctors and dated the 13th of August 1855, stated that:
"Having carefully examined Captain D.H. Clutterbuck of the 8th Hussars, found that the wound he suffered at Balaclava on the 25th of October last has not perfectly healed and from the nature of the injury he is not likely to become efficient in a reasonable period of time. He also suffers from ague."
[PB, Jan 2015: see also Clement Heneage's letter (below), also dated 13 August 1855, expressing surprise that Daniel Clutterbuck had just announced he was about to marry.]
Because of this he applied for permission to retire from the service by the sale of his commission and this he was allowed to do. He received the sum of £1,190 — which was the amount he paid for his commission plus £900 for his nearly nine years' service.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 14th of September 1855.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava and Sebastopol, and the Turkish Medal. These two medals (both with engraved naming) were in the family collection of medals as recorded above.
He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on the Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855.
"Horse Guards,
16th May 1855.
Sir, — Referring to my letter of the 10th inst, I have the General Commanding -in-Chief's command to desire that all officers entitled to receive the Crimean medal and now with their Depots to be ordered to attend in London for the purpose of being present on the parade on Friday the 18th of May 1855 at 10 o'clock precisely.
Be pleased to acknowledge its receipt.
I am, etc. etc.,
G.A. Weatherall. AAG.
Officer Commanding the Cavalry Depots."
His name appears (with clasp entitlement) on the Nominal Roll of those present now in the PRO, but does not appear on similar rolls published in the Illustrated London News of the 26th of May 1855 or the United Services Magazine for June 1855.
"Description: Photograph of Captain Clutterbuck on a wooden chair facing slightly left. He wears civilian clothes and his left hand is in his trouser pocket, his right hand rests on his lap holding something. Top edges of photograph convex."
Attended the first Balaclava Banquet in 1875.
He married, on the 15th of October 1855, Sophia Ellen, daughter of John William Spicer, Esq., D.L. and J.P. for Surrey, of Esher Place, Surrey.
[PB, Jan 2015: there is a curious letter from Lieut. Clement Heneage, 8th Hussars, to his mother, 'Mrs. Heneage, Compton Basset, Calne, Wiltshire', dated 13 August 1855, expressing astonishment at the forthcoming marriage — "about the least probable event in his life" (though no specific reason is given). Both men were educated at Eton College, and Calne is only about 10 miles from Clutterbuck's home near Chippenham, so the families may have known each other well.]
Balaclava
Aug 13th [1855]
My dearest Mimsy
I was very much surprised to hear of Clutterbuck's approaching marriage, which was about the least probable event in his life, according to what we knew of him — no one in the regiment has heard from him lately, so he is most likely shy about announcing the event. I don't think he will stay in the corps one day after the ceremony has been performed -
[The letter then moves on to more military matters.]
[Source: Lot 589, DNW auction, 18th September 2014, http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=103081 (accessed 18.1.2015).]
Three sons and five daughters were born into the family.
Lived at Monk's Park, Wiltshire, and also at Middlewich, Corsham, Wiltshire.
1881 Census
Bathford House, Bathford, Somerset
The 1881 Census shows him as aged 53 years, a Banker and J.P., born at Bath.
His wife was not present, but three children, aged from 22 to 6 years, were.
Six Domestic Servants of various categories are also shown.
He died on the 5th of August 1906, at the age of 79, possibly at Middlewich House, as stated in the obituary below. [EJB adds 82, Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London.]
Extract from the Wiltshire Times, 11th of August 1906:
"Death of Mr. D.H. Clutterbuck. — A Balaclava Hero — The death took place at Middlewich House on Sunday morning of Mr. Daniel Hugh Clutterbuck, and his death removes a most kind-hearted gentleman and one who was very greatly respected in the neighbourhood.
The name of Clutterbuck has, for years, ranked amongst the county families of North Wiltshire and the family have for many generations filled prominent positions in both Wiltshire and the adjoining county of Somerset.
Mr Clutterbuck was the second son of Mr Thomas Clutterbuck of Hardenhuish, who had married a daughter of David Ricardo, the celebrated economist and financier. Mr. D. H. Clutterbuck was born in 1828 and after receiving his education at Eton, enlisted into the Army.
In the early fifties he received a commission as a lieutenant in the 8th Hussars and served in the Crimean campaign.
He rode in the celebrated Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, where he was wounded in the leg, and was one of the now fast decreasing survivors of the heroic charge.
In October of 1855 he married Sophia Ellen, daughter of John Spicer of Esher Place, Surrey, and the couple had the happiness in the autumn of 1905 in celebrating their golden wedding, when they received the congratulations of their many public and private friends, the occasion being marked by a family re-union.
Mrs Clutterbuck endeared herself to a large circle by her kindly nature, and her charitable disposition made her a great favourite amongst the poor. She was for many years the ruling Councillor of the Corsham Habitat of the Primrose League.
Mrs Clutterbuck died on the 30th of April last, and her husband at that time was in such a feeble state of health that he was unable to attend the obsequies of his wife.
During the intervening three months his health had not improved, and the end came peacefully on Sunday morning last.
Mr Clutterbuck was a Magistrate for the Chippenham Division and for some time was Chairman of the Bench at Corsham.
He was a most kind-hearted man and greatly esteemed by every section of the community. There were there sons and five daughters in the family. The eldest of the former is Mr. Hugh Clutterbuck. Captain R. Clutterbuck, another son, holds a commission in the 4th Hussars, and is at present serving abroad. Mr. Hugh Clutterbuck, the eldest son, was born in 1858, and like his father, was educated at Eton.
Having completed his education, he turned to commerce, having inherited from his grandfather a taste for financial pursuits. He is a local director of the Union of London and Smith's Banks, has been Chairman of the Bath Brewery Company and a Director of Bath Tramways, Ltd.
He is a keen sportsman, and from 1891 to 1895 was Master of the Bath Harriers: is a Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st. (Volunteer) Battalion Prince Albert's Own Somerset Light Infantry and in this connection holds the Volunteer Decoration for Long Service: is married to a sister of the Right Hon. Walter Long: like his father is a magistrate in the Chippenham Division and in politics up till the time that Mr. Chamberlain launched his fiscal policy was a Conservative.
As a staunch Free Trader, this has led him to break with his party and with his family's political traditions, and at the last elections he threw in his lot with the Liberals, and worked hard to secure the return of Sir John Dickson.
The funeral took place on Thursday in the parish church of St Bartholomew at Corsham, the interment being made in the same grave which only three months ago received the remains of Mrs. Clutterbuck.
The cortege reached the church from Middlewich about two o'clock, and as it passed through the town business establishments were closed and blinds drawn at private houses. There was a large attendance of relations and friends of the family... [A list of those present follows.]
At the churchyard gate the procession was met by the choir and officiating clergy, and as the cortege entered the church the organist played "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and the hymns sung were "Days and moments quickly flying," and "When our heads are bowed with woe."
The service was taken by the Vicar and Canon Harford, and as the coffin was borne out to the church to the grave the "Nunc Dimittis" was chanted, and the organist played "O' Rest in the Lord." At the graveside the hymn next sung, led by the choir, was "Art thou weary," the committal prayers being finally read by the Vicar.
The coffin, which rested in a grave lined with moss and studded with flowers, was of polished oak, and bore the following inscription: "D. H. Clutterbuck. Died 5th August 1906, aged 78 years."
[A long list of wreath-senders follows.]
After the interment a muffled peal was rung on the church bells."
The Bath Herald, 16th of August 1906, after repeating much that has already been recorded from the Wiltshire Times, added that owing to two serious accidents in recent years, one in a carriage and another in a motor car, one of which resulted in blood poisoning, he had been confined to his room a great deal and latterly had been unable to leave his room at all.
In his will he left a personal estate of £58,093.
His grave space in Corsham Churchyard is a double-size plot, with a stone surround and a stone cross laid in the centre. It is said to be now [1985] over-grown with shrubs and ivy. It is positioned 2 or 3 graves from the wall at the far end of the churchyard when entering at the main gate, and is the second row from the iron railings which border on the park land.
His wife, Sophia Ellen, who is buried with him, was born on the 30th of November 1835 and died on the 30th of April 1906.
In 1986 the grave area was tidied up sufficiently for a photograph to be taken [PB: neg.233-2] and the inscription on the kerb to be read:
Right hand side: "Sophia Ellen Clutterbuck. Born November 30 1835 — Died April 30th---- [The year is missing. These are lead characters, and have broken away.]
Left hand side: "Dan--- H---- Clutterbuck. Born March -------- Died ------ [As with the date details for his wife, the figures and letters are missing.]
At the base: "Jesu Mercy".
There is no inscription on the cross itself.
[PB, Jan. 2015: The Graveyard Inscriptions section of Corsham and Lacock Churches website records:
Plot ref. 2021 CLUTTERBUCK Daniel Hugh b.15/3/1828 d. 05/08/1906
Plot ref. 2021 CLUTTERBUCK Ellen b.30/11/1835 d.30/04/1906
Plot ref. 1027 BUCKELL Thomas d.1/7/1889 51 18 years coachhand to D. H. Clutterbuck Esq.
[Source: ttp://corshamandlacockchurches.org.uk/?page_id=56 (accessed 19.1.2015)]
In Corsham New Cemetery, and situated in the near right-hand corner when entering by the lych-gate in Ladbrook Lane, there is a large kerbed area, approximately 13 feet square, at the centre of which there was formerly a stone cross some 6 feet high on a square plinth, but this cross has now (1985) fallen and is leaning against the base.
On the front of the plinth is inscribed:
"To the memory of Margaret A. C. Clutterbuck. Died February 14th 1914, aged 54 years."
Left hand side: "Also her husband, Hugh Frank Clutterbuck, who died October 20th 1949."
[These would have been his son and daughter-in-law.]
[PB, Jan. 2015: The Graveyard Inscriptions section of Corsham and Lacock Churches website records:
Two of his sons, and a grandson, are known to have served in the Army.
The eldest son, Hugh Frank Clutterbuck, was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 1st (Volunteer) Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. He raised the 2/4th Bn. of the Somerset L.I. in 1914 and served with them in the Andaman Islands and in Palestine. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals, the Volunteer Decoration and the Volunteer Long Service Medal (4th Somerset L.I.).
Another son, Edmund Ricardo Clutterbuck, served as a Major in the 4th Hussars (he was attached to the 13th Hussars in South Africa during the Boer War, his own regiment being in India) and was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for the Transvaal, Tugula Heights and the Relief of Ladysmith, the 1914-15 Star, and the War and Victory medal.
His grandson, Hugh Guy Daniel Clutterbuck, believed to be the son of Hugh Frank, served as a Rifleman in the Ceylon Planter's Rifle Corps, and was killed in action (as a 2nd Lieutenant) on the 17th of April 1917 when serving with the 7th Ghurkas in Mesopotamia. Awarded the 1914-15 Star and the War and Victory medals.
A further write-up states:
Second Lieutenant Hugh Guy Daniel Clutterbuck was serving with the 1/7th Gurkha Rifles on attachment from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers when he was posted missing, believed killed, on the 19th of April 1916, in Mesopotamia. He is commemorated on Basra Memorial, Iraq.
PB, October 2014: There is (said to be) a curious military connection in the source of his grandfather's considerable wealth, itself a master-class in deception and insider-trading:
[David Ricardo] made the bulk of his fortune as a result of speculation on the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo, using methods which today would result in prosecution for insider trading and market manipulation. Prior to the battle, Ricardo posted an observer to convey early results of the outcome, he then deliberately created the impression the French had won by openly selling British securities. A market panic ensued. Following this panic he moved to buy British securities at a steep discount.
The Sunday Times reported in Ricardo's obituary, published on 14 September 1823, that during the Battle of Waterloo Ricardo "netted upwards of a million sterling", a huge sum at the time. Following this trading coup, he retired. He was 41. He purchased Gatcombe Park, an estate in Gloucestershire, now owned by Princess Anne, the Princess Royal. He was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire for 1818-19.
The article continues:
Some years into retirement Ricardo became keen to enter Parliament and in August 1818 he secured Lord Portarlington's borough for £4,000, as part of the terms of a loan of £25,000. As a result Ricardo entered the House of Commons, representing Portarlington, an Irish rotten borough. He was 47 years of age. He held the seat until his death four years later.
[Source: Wikipedia entry on David Ricardo, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ricardo (accessed 31.10.14).]