![Portrait of Thomas Hutton [awaiting further information]. Click to enlarge.]( http://chargeofthelightbrigade.com/allmen/allmenH/allmenH_4LD/hutton_t_4LD/hutton_t_4LD_portrait.jpg
"Portrait of Thomas Hutton [awaiting further information]")
Born on the 15th of April 1821 at Beverley, Yorkshire, the son of Henry Hutton, Barrister-at-Law, and his wife, Mary Judith, daughter of James Bell, Esq., of Lincoln.
[Source: http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitLarge/mw03330/Henry-Hutton (accessed 6.7.2013)].
Ensign in the 15th Foot: 21st of June 1839.
Lieutenant: 23rd of April 1842.
Lieutenant in the 4th Light Dragoons: 10th of September 1847.
Captain: 23rd of April 1852.
Brevet-Major: 6th of June 1856.
On the 14th of August 1856, he married Maria Georgina, daughter of Edward Everard, of Middleton Hall, Norfolk.
Marriage registered
Thomas Hutton married Maria Georgina Everard, September Quarter 1856, Marylebone.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 10th of October 1857.
Captain Hutton served the Eastern campaign of 1854, including the battles of the Alma, Balaclava (horse shot) and the Siege of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasps.)
He was shot through the right thigh as he rode down the valley and had reported the wound to Major Low (his squadron commander). "If you can sit on your horse," replied Low, "you had better come with us, there's no use going back now, you'll only be killed."
Accordingly Hutton rode on and fought through the guns, returning with the regiment. As they rode back up the valley, he was shot through the other thigh, but remained on his horse.
Lord Paget overtook him, saw he was very weak and faint and offered him his rum flask. Hutton thanked him and said, "I have been wounded, Colonel. Have you any objection to my going to the doctor when I get in?"
He received the sum of £266/2/11d: "In consideration of the serious wounds received by him in action."
[PB, Jan 2014: His letters home from the Crimea have been collected and published along with the letters of cavalry officers Fiennes Wykeham Martin, Edward Rowe Fisher-Rowe, and Edward Phillips in Crimean Cavalry Letters, edited by Glenn Fisher. Army Records Society, number 31, published Stroud: The History Press for the Army Records Society, 2011. 8vo. vii + 336 pp.]
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, and Sebastopol, and the Turkish Medal.
"Horse Guards,
16th March 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 March 1855 at 10 o'clock precisely, Be pleased to acknowledge it's receipt.
I am, etc. etc.,
G.A. Weatherall. AAG.
Officer Commanding the Cavalry Depots."
It cannot be confirmed if his Crimean medal was presented to him by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on the Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855, as his name has only been written in (with clasp entitlement) on the Nominal Roll of those present and now in the PRO, but does appear on similar rolls published in the Illustrated London News of the 26th of May 1855 or the United Services Magazine for June of 1855.
Lummis and Wynn state "He was present at the Alma, and although the Muster Roll states that he was at Scutari from the 1st October to 31st December 1854, he undoubtedly took part in the Charge..." (The Muster for July-September of 1854 shows him as landing in the Crimea on the 16th of September from the "Simla".)
However, they have misread the Muster Roll. The actual muster was taken on the last day of each month and he was indeed shown as "Being at Scutari", but they did not notice that he was off the regimental strength in the Crimea proper from the 26th of October (and shown as "On leave, with permission") for the remainder of the quarter.
He was sent to Scutari aboard the "Australia" on the 26th of October, disembarking on the 29th, and then to Malta.
In a letter to his family written on the 8th January 1855, Robert Portal wrote:
"We hear that poor Hutton died at Malta of his wounds, on his way to England. It is very sad, as he was going on so very well, and was in such good spirits about himself."
In fact, Hutton had made a good recovery.
The next entry in the regimental Musters, dated 20th of March 1855, show him as "Invalided to England".
His overalls, pipe, revolver and holsters were in the United Services Museum at Whitehall at the turn of the century, and were given by his widow. The revolver (since repaired) was broken in two by a Russian musket-ball, one of the holsters was shot through and the overalls bear the marks of two shots.
In 1864 he assumed the additional surname of Everard (his wife's surname), and afterwards lived at Middleton Hall, near King's Lynn, and at St. Asaph, Flintshire.
He later moved to Bath.
1871 Census
1, St Catherine's Terrace (Lodging House), Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
Thomas Everard Hutton, 49, retired Major of Dragoons, born Beverley, Yorks.
Georgina Everard Hutton, 44, lady,
Rose 13, Evelyn 10, Maud 9, Violet 4, Alma 2.
An Irish Governess and two other staff are shown.
1881 Census
14, Brook Street, Walcot, Bath.
Thomas E Hutton, 59, Retired Cavalry Officer, born Beverley, Yorks.
M.G. Everard Hutton, born Kings Lynn.
Violet Hutton, born Denbigh, Flints.
Four servants are also shown.
[CHECK WORDING. I also have notes saying:
1881 Census
14, Brook Street, Walcot, Somerset
According to the 1881 Census he was at this time a Retired Cavalry Officer, aged 59 years, born at Beverley, Yorkshire, living with his wife, Maria G. Everard, 54, born at King's Lynn, and a daughter, Violet E., aged 14 years.
Five Domestic Staff were kept.
1891 Census
7, Circus, Bath.
Thomas E Hutton, 69, Retired Cavalry Officer, Army, born Beverley, Yorks.
Maria GM Hutton, 64, born Kings Lynn.
Eveline E Hutton, 30.
Maud F Hutton, 29.
Two visitors and seven other staff are also shown.
He died in Bath on the 10th of June 1896 at 7, The Circus.
Death registered
Thomas Everard Hutton, aged 74, June Quarter 1896, Bath.
His wife and a daughter were later buried in the same grave-space and the tombstone which was erected bears reference to two sons who were buried elsewhere.
A memorial tablet was afterwards placed in the South Nave aisle (under a window near the memorial to Beau Nash) by one of his daughters, and the inscription reads:
"In loving memory of Thomas Everard Hutton, Major, 4th (Queen's Own) Light Dragoons. Died at Bath, June 10th 1896. One of the 'Six Hundred' 'Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.' Affectionately dedicated by his daughter, M.T.A.M."
He was buried in Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath, on the 13th of June 1896, the grave number being 572/2. Plot FJ., which is in fact, two graves.
In the first is buried his wife's mother, Anna Theodora Everard, who died in March of 1881 and inscriptions on the erected stone also record the death of Thomas Hutton's two sons, "Henry Georgio Everard-Hutton, died June 13th 1859, aged 5 months. Buried at Zurich in Switzerland." and "Everard St. John Henry Everard-Hutton, died October 28th 1878, aged 5 years. Buried at Middleton, King's Lynn."
In the second grave:
"Thomas Everard-Hutton. Late Major in the Light Dragoons. Born July 17th 1821 — Died June 10th 1896. Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. October 25th 1854."
Also his wife, Maria Georgina Everard-Hutton, who died at Bath, October 13th 1913, aged 87. The only child of the late Edward Everard of Middleton Hall, and grand-daughter of St. Andrew St. John, of Cayton Hall, Norfolk.
In loving memory of Maud Theodora Everard, their third daughter, who died June 8th 1935, aged 74 years.
"There shall be no more pain, for the former things are passed away.
Rev. XX114." "Underneath are the everlasting arms." Rev. XXX1117. "His dews drop mutely on the hill, His cloud above it saileth still, Where angels brought, their visions keep, More softly than the dew is shed, Or cloud is floated overhead, He giveth his beloved sleep." M.E.H.
His date of birth as shown in the Record of Officers' Services does not agree with that shown on his tombstone.
Extract from the Bath Daily Chronicle for the 13th of June 1906:
"Funeral of Major Everard-Hutton. — There were laid to rest in Locksbrook Cemetery this afternoon the mortal remains of an officer who took part in the immortal Charge of the Light Brigade, Major Everard-Hutton.
The deceased officer was formerly a Captain in the 4th Light Dragoons when Cardigan led our cavalry in the historic charge down the North Valley at Balaclava. He was severely wounded in both legs during the fight, but was "one of the few" who rode back again. He retired from the Army with the rank of Major in 1856 and for many years past has resided in Bath.
His death occurred on Wednesday last at the age of 74, after a long illness resulting from a weakness of the heart. The funeral cortege left the deceased's residence shortly before one o'clock today, the open funeral car being drawn by four black horses. The coffin was covered with floral tributes and at the head rested the plumed helmet of the late officer just as he wore it at Balaclava, whilst the sword which he wielded when charging the Russian battery was also placed on the lid...[A list of mourners follows, amongst whom were Captain Percy Smith and Sir Fitzroy Maclean of the 13th Light Dragoons.]
At the conclusion of the service those present stepped forward to the graveside and looked down at the coffin, which bore only the simple inscription, but an honourable one, of "Thomas Everard-Hutton. One of the "Six Hundred." The only wreath buried with the coffin was a chaplet of laurel tied with a white satin ribbon, which was placed on the coffin by the widow... [A list of wreath-senders follows.] This evening a muffled peal will be rung on the Abbey bells."
A memorial tablet was also erected to him in St. Mary's Church at Middleton, Norfolk, the inscription on this reading:
"In loving memory of Major Everard-Hutton, 4th Queen's Own (Light Dragoons) who died at Bath on June 10th 1896, aged 74. One of the Six Hundred, October 25th 1854. 'Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.'"
Also his wife, Maria Georgina Everard-Hutton, who died at Bath, October 19th 1913, aged 87, the only child of the late Edward Everard of Middleton Hall and grand-daughter of St. Andrew St. John, of Cayton Hall in the County of Norfolk."
1901 Census
Address?
Maria Georgina Hutton, 74, widow, living on own means, born Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
Maud Theadora Hutton, 39.
Six servants are also shown.
Death registered
Maria G.E. Hutton, aged 87, December Quarter 1913.
In the Eastern Daily Press, 6th of February 1985, there appeared an article with a photograph relating to the discovery of a stone memorial to a Crimean horse in the shrubbery at Middleton Hall, near King's Lynn, the former home of Thomas Hutton's wife, formerly Maria Georgina Everard. It would appear that the present owners, William and Monica Whitehouse, are selling the Georgian mansion for development as a country hotel and golf-course.
Note [PB]: The Hall was developed as the Middleton Hall Golf Club / www.middletonhallgolfclub.com (accessed 5.8.2013).
The article states that:
"The mansion was built in the early 19th century for the Everard family of Norfolk. The three-storey building boasts a magnificent ball-room with a boudoir leading off it, a marble fire-place and stylish plaster ceiling; other rooms also feature ornate ceilings, cornices and columns.
An interesting feature in the grounds is the marked grave of a Crimean charger of the Light Dragoons that survived the charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. The horse is believed to have been brought back to England by a member of the Everard family who was a Major in the Dragoons and allowed the animal to end its days in the peace of the estate. Heading the short inscription on the stone is the word "Balaclava."
Mr and Mrs Whitehouse have never established whether this refers to the name of the horse or the battle. They are also mystified by the words on the far side of the stone, which simply say, "Poor Polly, aged 34 years." They found the stone quite by accident when they moved into the Hall some six years ago."
Further enquiry of Mrs. Whitehouse shows that careful deciphering of the very worn inscription reveals the words, "Balaclava, a Crimean charger.... Light Dragoons, aged 26." This is rather ambiguous, and one is not sure if this is the full inscription.
No known record exists of the name of the horse he rode at Balaclava, and this particular charger is said to have received "eleven wounds, and to have been "put down." He could have had another horse which he used in the Crimea and then later named it as "Balaclava." The reference to "Pretty Polly" could be that this was a parrot.
Later note [EJB]: The "mystery" of the grave of the horse "Balaclava" is now resolved in that in the Regimental Museum of the 4th/8th Hussars there are two horse-hooves that have been turned into inkwells. On the silver top-plate of each is inscribed "Balaclava — A Crimean Charger of the 4th (Queen's Own) Light Dragoons. Aged 26 years." Inside one is a piece of paper on which is written:
"From Mr. Blenkity — Balaclava was Major-General Hutton's second charger. Went out to the Crimea with him, but was not in the famous charge..."
[PB: In 2013, I corresponded with a number of very helpful people at the golf club, who kindly sent photographs. These are to be added.]
Additional Census information for 1871-1901, and details of a number of registrations of marriage and death kindly provided by Chris Poole.