But who exactly was buried in the grave?
[PB, March, 2014: The following fascinating interchange of correspondence is quite complex and confusing, and I may have formatted it incorrectly. Check.]
An article also appeared in a local newspaper (unknown date) which queries the true identity of the man buried in this grave. The cutting originally included an enlarged picture of the gravestone, underneath which was written:
"This gravestone marks the spot where John Davis, alias James Edwin Dray, lies buried in Kettering Cemetery. But did he in fact serve in the famous Balaclava Charge? Was he really the hero that he claimed to be? Only he has the true answer..."
(There is a copy of the article, in full, in the 4th Hussar file. The writer apparently did not know they were two different men.)
See the record of 1400 John Davis, 4th Light Dragoons for details of the ambiguity of just who is buried here.
Dray was born in Tunbridge Wells. He was entitled to the clasp for Balaclava, and could well have ridden in the Charge. As a deserter he would have had to hide his real identity and the taking by him of such a common name as John Davis could not have envisaged the controversy it would arouse in later years. His own initials were J.D. and it would have been an easy name to remember.
Against this, he would have been only 60 years of age (according to the stated age given on enlistment). It would have been interesting to know how, apparently after his death and funeral, people were so convinced as to who he really was. As the final words of the article states — only he had the true answer.
Extracts of letters from the correspondence columns of the Kettering Guardian of various dates after the interment:
August 31st 1894
Sir, — I saw in your last week's issue, and also in the London dailies, that John Davis, one of the few remaining Crimean heroes, had died in the Kettering Workhouse and that a public fund was to be got up for him.
I have made many enquiries here regarding him but can find but little as to his residence here in Tunbridge Wells, but previous to the last Annual Banquet held in London to commemorate the celebrated charge of the Light Brigade an account of Davis's career appeared in our local papers, the result of which was a subscription sufficient to pay his expenses to the banquet and from the account referred to I have no doubt that Davis was actually in the memorable engagement.
It seems only the other day to me, although some forty years ago, since I saw a picture of the fight displayed in Toller's window on Market Hill, the main figure being Earl Cardigan accompanied only by his manservant, both on horseback, leaping over a high wall into a group of Russian Artillery and of course, the latter running away, as depicted in Casey's Illustrated Penny Paper.
The following spring Earl Cardigan reviewed the Yeomanry in Brompton Park and a number of British School scholars were delighted to be near such a hero and I feel proud that the present inhabitants of dear old Kettering have seen fit to honour such a one as John Davis, the Balaclava Hero of Tunbridge Wells and Kettering.
Faithfully yours,
E.C. Jenkinson.
P.S. I have no news other than the above that John Davis ever resided here.
September 7th
Balaclava Hero — Hoax or Not...
Sir, — I take it that the kind folk who gave John Davis a decent burial the other day had sufficient proof to satisfy themselves of the genuiness of the case, but since my letter appeared in your last issue and a similar one in the Tunbridge Wells paper I have come to think there is at least a doubt which needs an explanation.
On Saturday last two supposed sisters of the late John Davis called upon me from a suburb of Tunbridge Wells and claimed him for their brother. They said he was in the habit of changing his name and that his real name was James Edwin Dray, aged 62 in December. He left here some nine years ago and since then has not returned.
Also, the writer of a letter to hand has called upon me and left with me a book belonging to Charles Cousins late of the Tenth Dragoons, which book has a complete list of the survivors of the "600." The list (a printed one, and held only by the survivors) contains Cousin's name connected with the above regiment, but the only approach to a John Davis is a R. Davis, Sergeant of the Eleventh Prince Albert's Own Hussars and E. [sic] Davis, Corporal of the same company.
I note that a further effort is being made to erect a memorial to the real — or supposed hero, and feel it only proper that the result of further information gathered at this end should be made public.
Believe me,
Yours faithfully,
E.C.
P.S. — Since writing the above, and as a result of my enquiries, I have found another old veteran who was also in the same company and "One of the Six Hundred." His name is John Boxall and he resides at No. 23 Rochdale Road, Tunbridge Wells. He and his wife are now acting as caretakers in a large house close by where the writer lives. He has eleven pence a day pension and still retains the coat which he wore when he was wounded in the famous charge.
This "book" must have been the 1877 list of members of the Balaclava Society, which contained the name of 1482 C. Cousins. 4th Light Dragoons, who had also served in the 18th Hussars, but whose name was not in the revised 1879 list.
September 14th
The Late Balaclava Hero — Who was He...
Sir,- I would not trouble again on the above matter were there not a reasonable doubt as to the identity of the late John Davis. I have had many communications on the subject since I last wrote you, but nothing whatever to show me that Davis was what he pretended to be.
I see by the local papers that the funeral was largely attended and that a headstone was to be erected. The "Good Old Book" asks a pertinent question, viz: "If the son asks bread, shall the parent give him a stone..." It may be well to honour the real brave at their burial, but is it not better to look after the living.
My letters to the Press this end have brought no less than three survivors, the actual identity of whom there is not the slightest shadow of doubt, all of whom are in straitened circumstances and it will be a great pleasure to me if the outcome of the correspondence in some measure lifts their burden through the remaining years left to them. I will personally send an application — or personally hand over any Moneys which might be sent to me.
One of the three referred to is in great need. He has written a book on the events of forty years ago, and I hope to be able during the week to forward a copy, together with a complete printed list of all the survivors to Mr. E., of 51 the High Street, who will, I am sure, be pleased to show them to anyone who is at all interested in this historic event.
Faithfully yours,
E.C. Jenkinson.
St. James's Road, Tunbridge Wells.
Published in the same issue:
September 14th
Sir, — Referring to the letter from Mr. E. C. in last week's issue re John Davis, the Balaclava hero, we beg to say we had proof from his friends that he took part in the Charge and also from a letter in his possession from a Lieut. Colonel, of which the following is an extract...
May 14th 1891:
"I have this day looked over the documents provided by J. Davis and considered them perfectly satisfactory. He served with his regiment, the 4th Dragoons right through the Crimea and is one of the surviving heroes of the Light Brigade..."
We wish to add that what we have done was carried out "by a few" in a sympathetic gesture and with a kindly motive and with no desire to gain publicity or enter into any controversy at all.
The few who so readily came forward are satisfied, and with that, we are content.
Yours truly,
Sergeant Inst. Savage,
(On behalf of the Committee)
M Company 1st. Vol. Batt. N.R.
September 21st.
Re "Balaclava Hero..."
Sir, — I am seeking as much information as I am able to give in my final letter on the subject on the matter next week that will finally once and for all satisfactorily settle the claim that the late John Davis had as to his pretensions. In the meantime I shall be glad if the gentleman who so kindly replied to my letter will send to me any real proof, as I shall be only too glad to admit that I am mistaken, and not the good people of Kettering.
Faithfully yours,
E.C. Jenkinson.
Tunbridge Wells.
October 12th.
The Balaclava Hero Final.
Sir, — Having three weeks ago met with an accident, not only has this letter been delayed, but I have been unable to make personal calls both here and in London which would finally have let the matter finally rest, but I hope the following will be sufficient to show that John Davis after all sailed under false colours — or rather credentials that were not his.
My reasons are as follows, (a) I cannot learn that Davis was born here, or ever actually lived in the town or district, as he stated. (b) His name does not agree with the list of survivors of the Balaclava Charge. (c) He called on one of the survivors in 1889 and his statements were so contradictory that grave doubts were left in the mind of his would-be friend and supposed comrade. (d) This same person, at the following annual banquet, mentioned Davis's case to a company of fifteen of the survivors of the 4th Light Dragoons and not one of the number believed his (Davis's) story and looked upon him, to say the least, in anything but a complimentary manner. Other proof could be added if necessary.
As far as John Davis is concerned I would say, R.I.P. To the 2,500 grand people of Kettering who attended the funeral and the Committee of management I will say you did well, believing as you did, that the man deserved better of his country than a pauper's funeral and to the worthy secretary I would say that I too have not wished for this discussion, but that my only desire has been, if at all possible, to satisfactorily clear up a matter which I felt all along, and do still, that proof was, and is wanting still.
Faithfully yours.
E. C. Jenkinson.
Tunbridge Wells — October 9th 1894.
There was no further correspondence on this to the end of the year and nothing later than the following news items which appeared in the Guardian on the 22nd of February and the 26th of April 1895.
The Death of a Balaclava Hero.
Mr Arthur Sattin, Master of the Kettering Union Workhouse, has forwarded to us a copy of the subjoined letter from the War Office to Mr. James Curtis, a nephew of the late James Edwin Dray, or John Davis, the Balaclava Hero, who died in the Workhouse a few months ago, and is interred in Kettering cemetery.
Horse Guards, War Office, SW. February 11th 1895.
Mr. James Curtis. — In reply to your letter of the 28th ultimo requesting information in regard to the medals of your late deceased uncle, James Edwin Dray, who served in the 4th Light Dragoons. I am directed by H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief to inform you that there is a Private J.E. Dray (No 1528) shown on the medal rolls of the above regiment as entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for "Alma," "Balaclava," "Inkerman," and "Sebastopol": also the Turkish medal...
The above letter, adds Mr. Sattin, dispels any doubts that anyone might have regarding the man's bona-fides. The sisters of the man have sent us a list of description marks which correspond in every detail with the ones the nurse who attended him gave me, and I have not the slightest doubt, that John Davis and James Edwin Dray are one and the same man. As early as possible the headstone will be erected over his grave...
A Balaclava Hero — Memorial at Kettering.
It will be remembered that in August of last year we announced the death at Kettering of a Crimean hero, then known as John Davis. He was a native of Tunbridge Wells, and formerly served in the 4th Dragoons through the Crimean campaign, and took part with the Light Brigade in their famous charge at Balaclava on October 25th 1854. He seems to have drifted about the country after twelve years' service in the Army and was not the recipient of a pension. He followed various occupations, and was finally admitted to Nottingham Infirmary suffering from the injuries occasioned by a kick from a horse.
On leaving that institution cured of his injuries, but broken down in health, he travelled to Kettering, with the object of obtaining employment. During his stay in the town he received assistance from members of the Volunteer Corps and made many friends. The state of his health — consumption, was making rapid headway and compelled the veteran to seek the shelter of the Workhouse, where he died about a month after his admission.
A lady of Bedford wrote to Mr. Sattin, Master of the Workhouse, offering to pay all the expenses connected with a military funeral and to erect a stone over the hero's resting place. At the time however, subscriptions had been raised by gentlemen of the town towards defraying the funeral expenses. The interment took place with military honours on August 25th, in the presence of some 2,000 spectators.
Subsequently, doubts were raised in some quarters as to whether Davis was a genuine Balaclava hero or not; and much correspondence has taken place on the subject. Thanks to Mr. Sattin's efforts, all doubts have now been cleared up. He instituted investigations, and at the latter end of February Mr. Sattin handed to us a letter from the War Office, a copy of which appeared in these columns. The letter dispelled all doubts as to the man's bona-fides. His name it seems was not Davis, but Dray, and that name appeared in the medal roll of the 4th Light Dragoons as entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for "Alma," "Inkerman," "Balaclava," "Sebastopol"; also the Turkish medal.
Recently, a headstone has been erected over the hero's grave. It is a plain stone of average height, with black lettering. Round the edges are the words artistically engraved; "Balaclava" "Alma" "Inkerman" "Sebastopol" and "Turkey." In the centre is an engraved design of the rose, shamrock, and thistle, surmounted by the words, "In memory of" signed about with flourishes. Then follows ""James Edwin Dray, late 4th Light Dragoons, who served in the famous Balaclava Charge; died at Kettering, August 23rd 1894, aged 62 years."
"Now the warrior's task is o'er,
Now the battle day is past.
Now upon the further shore,
Stands the warrior at last.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping."
"This stone was erected by patriotic and sympathising friends."
The work was entrusted to Mr. F. Barlow, J.P. of Rothwell. An everlasting wreath and floral tributes have also been placed on the grave.
Extracts from the Tunbridge Wells-area newspapers of various dates in 1894 and 1895. On August 31st, there was a report of the death of John Davis in the Workhouse there identical to the ones in Kettering newspapers, and in addition:
August 31st:
A Balaclava Hero.
Sir, Your readers will have noticed from your second edition of last week that another of the few remaining heroes of the Six Hundred has recently joined the great majority. It appears that the late John Davis for a short time resided in Tunbridge Wells and somehow wandered to Kettering near Northampton and being taken ill went into the Workhouse there to die. This inhabitants of this local go-ahead town learning of the event determined not to allow this pauper "to have his bones rattled over the stones" but that he should have a funeral paid for by public subscription.
Since the local Kettering newspapers have come to hand I have made many researches as to Davis's residence in Tunbridge Wells and his family connections if he had any, but up to date have learned little or nothing more than the bare fact that he recently lived here.
I take it he was making his way to the seat of the late Earl of Cardigan, which is close to Kettering, and who was, I believe, the leader of the Charge of the Light Brigade. Well do I remember the late Earl in the Spring following the close of the Crimean campaign, reviewing the local Yeomanry and the honour one felt at having so distinguished a personage living so near.
The Kettering folk have done us a great honour in giving a decent burial to John Davis.
P.S. Since writing the above I have learnt that another of the Six Hundred is living in Beaulah Road, Tunbridge Wells, and that it was he, and not John Davis who was helped by a local weekly a short time ago to attend the annual Balaclava Banquet.
Yours faithfully,
E.C. Jenkinson.
"Prarie" [?], St. James's Road, August 30th 1894.
September 7th:
The Balaclava Hero — Who was He.
Sir, Since writing to you last week certain information has cone to hand which at least throws a doubt as to the identity of the late John Davis.
On Saturday last two persons from Runstall called upon me and claimed the hero as their long-lost brother and that he had been absent for nine years, was in the habit of changing his home and that his real name was James Edwin Dray, and that he was in the 4th Light Dragoons and took part in the Six Hundred charge.
Since then a gentleman from Edenbridge who saw the report in the Courier has written to me and also called with a book. The owner of the book is named as Charles Cousins, late of the 4th Light Dragoons, who lives in Edenbridge and whose name appears in the list of survivors. [Details follow of men of the name of Davi(e)s whose names appear.]
However, even the London dailies also announced the death of John Davis at Kettering Union as a Balaclava hero and that he would be given a public funeral and a memorial stone erected. We must conclude, however, that there is more proof of his identity required than appears on the face of it.
The Editor of the Kettering Observer almost casts a reflection on Tunbridge Wells, i.e. if he thinks John Davis a native of this place when he says: "We can scarcely believe that any native of the town who had taken part in the Charge would have been allowed to die in the Workhouse..."
Yours faithfully,
E.C. Jenkinson.
September 14th:
Sir, Since writing to you last week I have made great efforts to, if possible, ascertain just who this supposed Balaclava hero really was, including two letters to the Master of the Kettering Union who up the moment has not had the courtesy to reply, although he acted as chief mourner at Davis's funeral and is one of the committee which is responsible for the public demonstration, neither can I gather from any source any proof whatsoever that Davis had any legitimate claim to his pretensions.
The correspondence here has unearthed three bona-fide survivors (for one of which I am indebted to Mr. E.T. Hughes) local residents who undoubtedly took part in the famous charge. Two of the men are in circumstances of actual need, but most reluctant to let their position be made public.
[A copy of the funeral report taken from the Kettering Observer follows.]
P.S. Since writing the above I have received by the late post tonight the following letter...
Kettering Union Workhouse, September 13th.
Dear Sir, The gentleman who could give you the more information as to the last moments of John Davis is away on his holiday. I mean the curate who attended him every day until the last. We are going to answer your letters in the local papers this week. I may say the local Editors were fully satisfied with the papers forwarded to them as to the man being in the Charge
Yours truly,
(On behalf of the Memorial Fund Committee)
A. Sattin.
February 1st:
The late Balaclava Hero — Probable sequel.
We note the following in the Kettering "Leader" of Friday and being of some local interest, we reproduce it...
Sir, Had you not in your last weeks "Local jottings of 1894" referred to the above subject I should not have again troubled you after my final letter of some little time ago.
From the following letter it will be seen that the hero, John Davis, was using an assumed name, which seems to have been James Edwin Dray. Hence my contention all along that no such person as John Davis was ever in the Balaclava Charge.
Yours faithfully,
E.C. Jenkinson.
(COPY)
Prospect Villa,
Tonbridge Road,
Maidstone, Kent. Dec. 21st 1894.
Sir, No doubt you will be surprised to have this concerning the Balaclava Hero, John Davis, who was so kindly buried by the good people of Kettering, but I see from the "Leader" and "Observer" dated Oct. 12th that proof was, and is wanted still. I will endeavour to give a good proof.
The "Hero" that was, was buried under a false name. His real name was James Edwin Dray and he was born on the 16th of December 1832 at Park Corner, Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells. He joined the 4th Light Dragoons, when he was about twenty years old. He served all through the Crimea and was in the Balaclava Charge.
Mrs. Manser of Barming, his own sister (and my mother-in-law) recollected the letters he wrote home to his mother. These, which I am sorry to say we have not seen since 1877 when she died at Mrs. Polls, Rustall, would have been a good proof, but I wrote to Kettering a little while back and describing the said John Davis and also the wounds which he had received and Mr. Sattin, the courteous Master, informed me that there was not the slightest doubt that it was my uncle, James Edwin Dray as the nurse gave him the same marks as I did.
It seems a great pity that he should have died under an assumed name, but as I sure he had his reasons, but of them I will say nothing. I am sure that I admire the way in which the Kettering people have buried him and Mr. Sattin informs me that the name Dray will be on the stone.
I hope that you will find this the truth as it will clear all the doubts which have existed as to whether he was a hero or not. I should like to have the book that your friend as written concerning the Balaclava Charge. I have been to Tunbridge Wells to camp with the 1st Kent Rifle Volunteers as I served six years in the Band under the Bandmaster, Mr. G. Berry, who served all through the Crimea in the 4th Kings Own...
I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
James Curtis.
There was no further correspondence on the subject.
In the parish records of St. Mary's at Speldhurst [15 miles from Tunbridge Wells], there is a baptismal entry for James Edwin Dray on the 26th of January 1834, the son of Jepe [sic] Dray, a labourer, and Mary Ann, of Rotherfield, Sussex. There are eight further entries relating to subsequent children, but no record of his parents' marriage there.
From all the above, it can only be concluded that all the participants in this "drama" finally convinced themselves that it was indeed James E. Dray who died in the Kettering Workhouse. But equally they were not aware that he and John Davis of the 4th Light Dragoons were not one and the same man. Their only knowledge of the connection between the two was the name given by Dray on first entering the Workhouse, something which cannot now be explained.
