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LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

Added 25.11.12. Minor edits 7.4.14. New info. added 18.11.16.

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

1205, Private Thomas HERBERT — 4th Light Dragoons

Birth & early life

Born at Bideford, Devonshire c.1823.

1841 Census

Littleham, Devon [2 miles south of Bideford].

Joseph Herbert, 49, Farmer, born Littleham.

Grace Herbert, 46, Littleham.

Thomas, 18, Littleham.

Seven other family members shown, all born Littleham: Samuel, 40 [sic], Jesse, 14, Sarah, 16, George, 12, Ann, 10, Mary Ann, 7, Satherin [sic], 4. [CP]

1851 Census

Ley Mill, Alwington, N. Devon.

Robert Prouse, 37, Farmer, 15 acres, born Clovelly, Devon.

Elizabeth Cobley Prouse, 37, Burrington.

Ann Babbage Prouse, 17, Burrington.

Mary Prouse, 18, Burrington.

Susan Elizabeth Prouse [future wife], 8, born Weare Gifford [4 miles south of Bideford].

Emlyn, 6, born Bideford.

Clara, 3, born Alwington.

Marta, 1, born Alwington. [CP]

Enlistment

Enlisted at Exeter on the 29th of December 1843.

Age: 19 years 10 months.

Height: 5' 10".

Trade: Farmer.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Grey eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Under "confinement", 21st of February 1845. Tried by a Regimental Court-martial on the 24th and sentenced to 20 days' imprisonment.

Slightly wounded in action at Balaclava.

Sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854 and rejoined the regiment on the 11th of May 1855.

Appointed to Shoeing-Smith on the 4th of February 1860.

Reverted to Private on the 13th of November 1860.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Canterbury on the 10th of March 1868.

"Free, at own request after 24 years' service.

Served 24 years 52 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months. Conduct: "very good".

In possession of five Good Conduct badges.

Granted a pension of 10d. per day.

Three times entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Once tried by Court-martial.

Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and imprisoned 21st of February — 14th of March 1845.

Aged 44 years 1 month on discharge.

To live c/o. Mr. White, Strand, Bideford.

Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol, and the Long Service & Good Conduct medal with a gratuity of £5.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol.

Awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct medal on the 11th of May 1866.

Commemorations

Life after service

Marriage registered

Thomas Herbert to Susan Prouse, December Quarter 1869, Bideford. [CP]

Births registered

George Herbert, March Quarter 1871, Bideford.

Albert Edward Herbert, June Quarter 1872, Bideford. [CP]

1871 Census

Cottage Clevehouses, Northam [4 miles north of Bideford].

Thomas Herbert, 47, Lab[ourer] in Brickyard, born Bideford.

Susan Herbert, 29, born Alwington, George Herbert, 4 months, born Northam.

A visitor, Lucy Prouse, born Alwington, is also shown. [CP]

Death registered

George Herbert, aged 0 years, June Quarter 1871, Bideford. [CP]

1871 Census

Cleevehouses, Northam, Devonshire

Thomas Herbert, a Gardener (Domestic), aged 54, born at Bideford, Devonshire, with his wife, Susan, 37, and one son, Albert, 7, a Scholar. [EJB]

1881 Census

Cleeve Houses, Northam, Devonshire.

Thomas Herbert, aged 57, Gardener (Domestic), born Bideford.

Susan Herbert, 37, born Bideford

Albert Herbert, 9, Scholar, born Northam. [CP]

Death & burial

Death registered

Thomas Braund [sic?] Herbert, aged 52 [sic] years, March Quarter 1883, Bideford. [CP]

Further information

1891 Census

2, Gordon Cottages, Northam, Devonshire.

Elizabeth Herbert, widow, 38 [sic], living on own means, born Bideford.

Albert Herbert, son, 17, Bricklayer, Born Cleevehouses, Northam.

CP: In her later years she appears to use "Elizabeth" rather than "Susan" e.g. on the 1891 and 1901 Censuses, and she is called Susan on her Death certificate. Has she reverted to her pre-marriage first name?

"Living on own means" — could she have inherited monies from her parents' farm?

"Age 38" — possibly a transcription error by enumerator?

1901 Census

5 Chingswell Street, Bideford.

Elizabeth Herbert, widow, 65, born Bideford.

Albert E Herbert, 27, General Labourer, born Bideford.

Death registered

Elizabeth Herbert, aged 72 years, March Quarter 1908, Bideford.

1911 Census

Lower Meddon Street, Bideford.

Albert Herbert (son), 37, single, Labourer (General) born Bideford.<.p>

A boarder, Emily Barkwell, Aunt, is also shown.

References & acknowledgements

Additional marriage, birth and death registrations, and Census information kindly provided by Chris Poole.


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