Born at High Ercall, near Shrewsbury, on the 29th of September 1833, the son of George Kilvert, a farmer, and Jane Kilvert. He was baptised at High Ercall on the 13th of October 1833.
Educated at the High Ercall Grammar School. Prior to enlistment he was employed by a wine and spirit merchant.
Enlisted at Nottingham on the 9th of December 1851,
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Servant.
From Private to Corporal: 9th of May 1854.
At Balaclava he was wounded by a musket ball through the right leg, the ball passing through the saddle flap into his horse, but the animal did not fall. At close quarters he received a sabre cut on the head. His horse brought him back, but had to be shot as soon as Kilvert was lifted off.
His leg was bandaged and he was to have been taken away immediately but the ambulances were so full that he was left in a ditch until darkness fell. He was then discovered by an ambulance party, nearly frozen to death.
Corporal to Sergeant: 26th of October 1854 [PB: sic?].
He went sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854, and shown in the General Hospital from the 6th of December. He was invalided from there to England on the 15th of December.
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 23rd of July 1856.
Discharged, "by purchase", from Dublin on the 7th of December 1861. Payment of £10.
Served 10 years 85 days.
Conduct: "Exemplary". Equal to two Good Conduct badges.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on the Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855. His name appears on the Nominal Return of those present now in the PRO, also on a similar roll which appeared in the United Services Magazine for June of 1855 and on that which appeared in the Illustrated London News of the 26th of May 1855.
(See print of a portrait of him in the uniform of a Troop Sergeant Major from an oil-painting in the possession of the Royal Hussars, in the 11th Hussar file.)
Image can be viewed online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/sergeant-major-kilvert-24255 (accessed 27.10.2013).
[PB: Said to have been painted c.1870 (i.e. well after he had left the army) — I wonder in what circumstances?]
On his death in 1920 John Kilvert's sword and medals were presented to the town of Wednesbury, possibly because of the previous deaths of close family members.
Both medals are engraved-naming, the British Crimea being as Sgt. and the Turkish one as Troop Sgt. Major.
When the borough of Sandwell was formed in 1974, these medals went "missing" and may subsequently have been bought and sold several times.
However, in October 2013 John Kilvert's medals were restored to the Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery by the widow of a medal collector who had purchased them 20 years previously, not knowing them to have been stolen (see Further information, below).
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.
Signed the Loyal Address to the Queen in 1887.
On the 5th of November 1895, he, together with over 100 veterans of the campaigns up to and including the Ashanti War of 1874-8, was invited to an Assembly and Banquet at Shrewsbury, and from the Market Square marched to the Music Hall.
As the senior ex-Cavalry NCO present, he, responding to the toast to the Army, and relating some of his experiences in the Crimea in respect of the Balaclava Charge, said that much of the credit was due to the Heavy Brigade for the part they played in the fray. He referred also to the services of Miss Florence Nightingale on the battlefield and remarked that he was fortunate enough to be nursed by that lady, to whom he believed he owed his life.
He was present at the Fleet Street Offices of T.H. Roberts for the Jubilee celebrations held there in June 1897 and signed a testimonial given to Mr. Roberts on that occasion. (There is a copy of this in the "Memoirs" file.)
Attended the Annual Dinners in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1898, and 1906-10 [PB query: Check dates — just 2 years 1906 & 1910, or several?].
He is depicted with other Charge survivors in 'All That Was Left of Them' (1912). [add info]
Towards the end of his life, by which time there were very few survivors of the Charge, he was feted throughout the world, as shown in this item from Sydney, Australia (1913):
FIFTEEN BALACLAVA SURVIVORS
Reduced by one by the recent death of Lord Tredegar, the following are now the survivors of the Charge of the Light Brigade:
Sir George Wombwell, 17th Lancers. Major Phillips [8th Hussars] Alderman Kilvert, 8th Hussars [actually, 11th Hussars]
J Mustard, 17th Lancers
T. Boxall, 4th Hussars [formerly 4th Light Dragoons]
J. Whitehead, 4th Hussars [formerly 4th Light Dragoons]
H. Wilsden, 4th Hussars [formerly 4th Light Dragoons]
J. Olley, 4th Hussars [formerly 4th Light Dragoons]
W.S.J. Fulton, 8th Hussars
J. Parkinson, 11th Hussars
T. Warr, 11th Hussars
G. Gibson, 13th Hussars [formerly 13th Light Dragoons]
E. Hughes, 13th Hussars [formerly 13th Light Dragoons]
W. Ellis, 11th Hussars
W.H. Pennington, 8th Hussars [actually, 11th Hussars][Source:Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), 20 April 1913 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/126459695 (accessed 15.2.2014).]
After his discharge he became a pawn-broker in business in Union Street and lived at "Balaclava House" in Pritchard Street, Wednesbury, which is now part of West Bromwich.
Kilvert, whose family it is often said could be traced back 900 years, played an important part in the Municipal affairs of Wednesbury. He was Mayor of that town 1905-06. Being a widower, his niece, a Mrs. Harris, acted as Mayoress.
1881 Census
No 1, Hitchen Croft, Pawnbrokers, Wednesbury.
John Ashley Kilvert, 48, Pawnbroker, born High Ercall.
Elizabeth Aston Kilvert, 48, Pawnbroker's wife, born Wednesbury.
George A Kilvert, 21, Pawnbroker's son, born Coventry.
2 servants are also included.
EJB: Members of his greater family are still living at Shrewsbury [1980].
He died at Wednesbury, Staffordshire, on the 17th of October 1920, in Pritchard Street, Wednesbury, and was buried on the 22nd of October in the Wood Green Cemetery at Wednesbury. He was the last survivor of the 11th Hussars, apart from William H. Pennington. (There is a copy of his death certificate in the 17th Lancer file)
There is a copy of his obituary notice which appeared in the Midland Advertiser. 18th of October 1920, and also a report of a ceremony held in the Town Hall, taken from the Express and Star, 6th of February 1932. Also a copy picture of Kilvert in his Aldermanic robes. [To be transcribed...]
The grave number is 1037 Section A, and the headstone that was erected bears the inscription:
In loving memory of Elizabeth Aston, wife of John Ashley Kilvert, who died August 31st 1900,
aged 68 years.
Also George Ashley Kilvert, who died December 16th 1902, aged 43 years.
Also of John Ashley Kilvert, who died October 17th 1920.[GAK was probably a son.]
Extract from the Wednesbury Borough News, 23rd of October 1920:
Death of Ex-Alderman J.A. Kilvert
Every reader of this paper will be sorry to hear of the death of Mr. John Ashley Kilvert, who passed away somewhat suddenly on Sunday last. As late as Friday last Mr Kilvert sat on the magisterial bench at the Wednesbury police court and very recently we had the pleasure to remind our readers that he had attained his 87th birthday on the 29th of September last. At this time he had said that as age advanced he was becoming almost alone as his brothers and sisters had all passed away and his immediate family connections had dwindled down over the past twenty years.
A full report of his funeral appeared in the newspaper of the same date. (There is a copy in the 11th Hussar file.) [TRANSCRIBE]
(There is a photograph of his gravestone in the 11th Hussar file.)
His estate of £4,199 was administered by Alexander Scott Kilvert, Master Mariner, and Bertrand Walter Kilvert, Chemist.
In October 2013 Sandwell Council announced in a Press Release that John Kilvert's medals had been restored to the Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery:
Charge of the Light Brigade medals back in Sandwell
Published on 17th October 2013
Four medals awarded to a former Mayor of Wednesbury who fought in the Charge of the Light Brigade are to go back on display after going "missing" for nearly 40 years.
John Ashley Kilvert was blown off his horse in the charge and was treated for his injuries by Florence Nightingale.
The medals went "missing" when the borough of Sandwell was formed in 1974. But now they will go back on display at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery.
Museum staff thought they had gone forever until recently when they were contacted by Birmingham auction house Fellows to say they had them.
They had been submitted for auction by 94-year-old Mrs Joyce Hands from Walsall, who was selling her late husband Walter's medal collection.
He had bought the medals more than 20 years ago unaware they belonged to Sandwell Council.
It is believed they had changed hands several times before he bought them in all innocence.
Once this was explained to Mrs Hands she immediately agreed to donate the medals back to the museum.
Sandwell Council's deputy leader Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: "It was a wonderful gesture by Mrs Hands and we are delighted the medals are safely back in the council's hands where they can be proudly displayed once again."
On being discharged from the Army, Mr Kilvert settled in Coventry where he married and had a son George. But when his wife died he moved to Wednesbury where he married again.
He lived in Union Street where he opened a pawnbrokers business.
Mr Kilvert entered public service where he was elected to the town council in 1886 and served in a number of positions.
His second wife died in 1900 and following his son's death in 1902 he sold his business and moved to 13 Pritchard Street, naming his new home 'Balaclava House' after the famous battle.
In 1905 Alderman Kilvert, as he was then, became Mayor of Wednesbury. He retired from public office the following year and died on October 17, 1920, aged 87.
[Source: sandwell.gov.uk/news/article/2708 (accessed 19.10.2013).]
Shortly after the issue of the press notice, the Black Country Bugle published the following article:
Long lost Light Brigade medals return to Wednesbury
Written by Dan Shaw
FOUR medals awarded to a former Mayor of Wednesbury who rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War are to go back on display at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery after going 'missing' for nearly 40 years.
John Ashley Kilvert was blown off his horse in the charge and was treated for his injuries by Florence Nightingale.
The medals went missing when the borough of Sandwell was formed in 1974. Museum staff thought they had gone forever until recently when they were contacted by Birmingham auction house Fellows to say they had them.
They had been submitted for auction by 94-year-old Mrs Joyce Hands from Walsall, who was selling her late husband Walter's medal collection. He had bought the medals more than 20 years ago, unaware they belonged to Sandwell Council. It is believed they had changed hands several times before he bought them in all innocence.
Once this was explained to Mrs Hands she immediately agreed to donate the medals back to the museum.
Sandwell Council deputy leader Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: "It was a wonderful gesture by Mrs Hands and we are delighted the medals are safely back in the council's hands where they can be proudly displayed once again." Kilvert was awarded two medals from the Crimean campaign, one by the British government and one by the Turkish.
The British Crimea Medal is one of the most ornate ever issued, with its unique ornate oak leaf clasps and floriated swivelling suspender. Five bars were awarded with the medal with the maximum any individual could receive being four. The Azoff bar was issued to only naval and marine personnel, while the other battles honoured were Alma, Inkerman, Balaklava and Sebastopol.
Kilvert received the bars for Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol.
The notorious Charge of the Light Brigade, when lightly-armed British cavalry charged the Russian artillery and were mown down, took place on 25th October, 1854, at the Battle of Balaklava.
The Turkish Crimean War Medal that Kilvert received is perhaps even more interesting. The reverse features a cannon, anchor and mortar set upon the Imperial Russian flag while behind fly the flags of the four allied powers — Turkey, Great Britain, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia.
The Turks gave a different version of the medal to each of their allies. The British medal features a British Ensign at second right, the French medal has the Tricolor in this position while the Sardinian medal has the Italian Tricolor with the arms of Savoy.
The inscription also varies. The British medal has 'Crimea 1855', the French has 'La Crimee 1855' and the Sardinian has 'La Crimea 1855'.
A consignment of medals for British servicemen was lost when the ship carrying it sank and so they were awarded with whatever medal came to hand, the most common being the Sardinian medal. So it was that Kilvert was awarded the Sardinian version.
On being discharged from the Army, Kilvert settled in Coventry where he married and had a son named George.
When his wife died he moved to Wednesbury where he married again. He lived in Union Street where he opened a pawnbrokers business.
Alderman John Ashley Kilvert, JP (1833-1920), by unknown artist, oil on canvas, 59.5 x 49.5 cm. Collection: Sandwell Museums Service Collection. This can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/alderman-john-ashley-kilvert-jp-18331920-20642 (accessed 26.10.2013).
Kilvert entered public service where he was elected to the town council in 1886 and served in a number of positions.
His second wife died in 1900 and, following his son's death in 1902, he sold his business and moved to 13 Pritchard Street, naming his new home 'Balaclava House' after the famous battle.
In 1905 Alderman Kilvert, as he was then, became Mayor of Wednesbury. He retired from public office the following year and died on October 17, 1920, aged 87.
[Source: http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/News/Long-lost-Light-Brigade-medals-return-to-Wednesbury-23102013.htm#ixzz2iftoJXQr(accessed 24.9.2013). The editors of the EJBA are grateful to Chris Poole for drawing this article to our attention.]
Other articles at this time included "'Lost' medals of Charge of the Light Brigade hero revealed", by Andy Richardson, in the Birmingham Mail (22.10.2013) [http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/lost-medals-charge-light-brigade-6224018 (accessed 26.10.2013)], and "Missing medals of former mayor are returned to museum after 40 years", in the ?Express & Star [Source: ?]
In the General Cemetery at Shrewsbury there is a gravestone to a Captain Charles Kilvert who died on the 5th of June 1918, aged 79 years. There are a considerable number of different inscriptions on it, but owing to deterioration of the surface little can now be deciphered. One of these which can, states: "Brother to J.A. Kilvert — who served in the 11th Hussars and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade." Another is: "Attended all funerals of the Crimean Veterans."
Captain Kilvert is known to have lived (and died) at Carodoc House, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. Prominent on the stone is the carving of an anchor, which first led to the thought that he had served in the Navy, but the probate of his will showed that he was a Master Mariner. In his will, made probate to Alexander Scott Kilvert, Master mariner and John Robertson Dunn, Ship owner, he left £17,042/19/11d. (There is a photograph of the stone in the 11th Hussar file.)
Extract from the Shrewsbury Chronicle, Friday 14th of June 1918:
Funeral of the late Captain Charles Kilvert.
The funeral of the late Captain Charles Kilvert, who passed away at his residence, Carodoc House, Abbey Foregate Street, on June thr 5th at the advanced age of 79, took place at the General Cemetery on Friday. [Then follows a list of mourners, including] Alderman J.A. Kilvert (brother) who, when serving in the 11th Hussars, took part in the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava) and wreath senders. That sent by his brother was inscribed, "In deepest sympathy from his brother Alderman J.A. Kilvert."
[PB: Add list.]
On 7 July 2003, information about JAK was posted online by William Kilvert on the Genealogy.com website at http://genforum.genealogy.com/kilvert/messages/224.html(accessed 26.10.2013), a version of which can also be viewed in the EJBA here.
Wikipedia entry for John Ashley Kilvert at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ashley_Kilvert.
JAK is the subject of "Charge of the Light Brigade remembered", a blog entry by Linda Ellis, http://madeintheblackcountry.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/charge-of-the-light-brigade-remembered (accessed 26.10.2013).
JAK's sabre was chosen by the BBC and local museums as one of ten objects that tell a history of the Black Country.The web page includes a video of Chris Poole talking about JAK and other Chargers associated with the area: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/blackcountry/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8459000/8459904.stm (accessed 26.10.2013).
November 2013: We are very grateful to Chris Poole for bringing to our attention some recent examples of press interest in the return of John Ashley Kilvert's medals to the Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery.
October 2019: Thanks are due to Chris again for sending the clipping abosut JAT's return to England in May 1855.
Roy Dutton (2nd ed. p.207), citing LWC, states that JK is the model for the wounded soldier on the cover of Lummis & Wynn — "Those who had fought so well" (1891) — image by Harry Payne (1891?). PB: is there any evidence for this? It does not correspond particularly with JK's own description of how he was recovered from the battlefield.
PB: I have transcribed a number of JK's accounts of the Alma, Charge etc (in Accounts DB). They are very similar, but differ in ways that suggest there is (or was) a longer, more detailed account.
KILVERT ACCOUNT
[from a photocopied article (no source cited) in EJBA 11th Hussar file Vol.5)
ALDERMAN J.A.KILVERT, J.P.
[etc etc introduction by the journalist -- brief details of birth -- education -- taking the Queen's shilling at Nottingham on 9th September 1851]
Four years of garrison life in England and Ireland followed, and then war was declared with Russia. The Eleventh were ordered out to the Crimea, Kilvert going with them and serving throughout the arduous campaign that ensued.
His first smell of powder was at the affair of Bulganak, where the steadiness of the cavalry, and particularly the 11th Hussars, who were all well mounted, greatly impresses Lord Raglan.
A day later (20th September, 1854) was fought the Battle of the Alma, which Mr Kilvert looks upon as on of the most brilliant victories ever achieved. "The day was a beautiful one," he describes. "The fact that the Russians were the other side of the river gave them n advantage equal to twenty or thirty thousand men, while the heights on which their troops were stationed were something like 4,000 feet above the sea level, and in front of us, in addition to the water, was a forest of trees. After we crossed the river hand to hand fighting took place, and it lasted about four hours."
His reminiscences of Balaclava and the famous Charge are extremely interesting.
"I can never forget the 25th of October, 1854. There were about 600 Britishers, and about 30,000 Russians. The question as to whether the famous order to charge the great Russian Army was a mistaken idea or not, is a debatable point. I am inclined to think the responsibility rested with Captain Nolan, a daring officer, who revelled in war, and who thought the cavalry ought to have done more at Alma.
Nolan brought the order to Lord Lucan, who in turn conveyed it to Lord Cardigan. The latter remonstrated against such an order, remarking, 'There must be some mistake. I shall never be able to bring a single man back,' but obedience was the first law, and placing himself in front of us, he gave the order for the Light Brigade to advance, and we rushed on to what appeared certain death, Cardigan calling out: 'Here goes the last of the Brudenells.' Nolan was the first man killed.
"I was in the second line when we commenced the charge down a valley rather more than the half league.
"The Russians seemed simply mystified, almost paralysed, as we galloped towards them. I was struck by a musket ball through the right leg, and also received a sabre cut on the head. When we reached the Russian guns it became a hand to hand fight. We cut sown many Russian gunners during the short space of time, and it is a question afterwards whether it did not prevent the Russian army advancing.
"My horse managed to bring me just out of it, and had to be shot there and then, he was so badly wounded. I had my leg bandaged, and was to be taken away immediately, but the ambulances were so full up that I was left lying in a ditch until darkness commenced to draw on, when I was discovered by an ambulance party nearly frozen to death."
His subsequent stay in hospital in Scutari brought him under the care of Miss Florence Nightingale, whose motherly attention for the suffering earned her a warm place in the heart of the veteran, as it did likewise in many another of his comrades.
Mr Kilvert states that the Charge lasted but half an hour. Of the 110 of the Eleventh who took part in it only 25 returned alive, and besides himself only one other out of a tent of fourteen survived the terrible ride. "The Russians had swords and lances, and when the order was given to return, those who remained of us had to get through the best we could and make a dash through quite four or five thousand of the enemy's cavalry," he adds.
[4 concluding paras about his life after the Crimea, by the journalist.]
John Kilvert's account of the Charge, from an article by Linda Ellis published online in 2010 on the "Made In The Black Country" website (accessed 25.4.2016):
John Ashley Kilvert was one of the few survivors of the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on 25 October 1854. Here is what he said about that day:
"I can never forget the 25th October 1854.
There were about 600 British, and about 30,000 Russians. The question as to whether the famous orders to charge the Russian Army was a mistaken idea or not, is a debatable point. I am inclined to think the responsibility rested with Captain Nolan, a daring officer, who revelled in war, and who thought the cavalry ought to have done more at Alma.
Nolan brought the order to Lord Lucan, who in turn conveyed it to Lord Cardigan. The latter remonstrated against such an order, remarking, "there must be some mistake. I shall never be able to bring a single man back".
Obedience was the first law, and placing himself in front of us, he gave the order for the Light Brigade to advance, and we rushed on to what appeared to be certain death, Cardigan calling out, "Here goes the last of the Brudenells". Nolan was the first man killed.
I was the second in line [PB: in the second line?] , and as we careered down the valley shot and shell were flying about like hailstones, it was only the pace of the horses, that carried us through at all. I don't think if it had been a body of infantry, that a single man could have reached the bottom of the valley.
As we advanced, there was a hot fire from the Russian batteries on either side, we survived and rode over the prostrate bodies of those who preceded us. Horses were killed, others galloped about riderless and before long, order was abandoned and it was a desperate attempt to cut our way back through the best we could. The Russian gunners were cut down and we started back to our lines, but I do not know what would have happened had not one of the Russian batteries been attacked and forced to retire.
Of 110 men the forming my regiment, only 25 returned and of 14 comrades sharing my tent, only one was spared besides myself. As to my injuries, I was shot by a musket ball through my right leg and also received a slight cut on the head. My horse was shot under me, but although frightfully injured, bore me back to safety. All day long neither horses nor men tasted food or water.
I lay in a ditch waiting to be removed on an ambulance and had practically given up hope of ever being attended to, as darkness was setting in and I was nearly frozen. However, by-and-by, I heard an ambulance coming and, as the boys say, I hollowed [PB: sic? "halloaed" was a more common spelling at that time] with all my might and very thankful, I was picked up and taken aboard the steamer."
[Source: Linda Ellis, 18/01/2010, https://madeintheblackcountry.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/charge-of-the-light-brigade-remembered/. It would be good to know what her source was.
[PB: This is similar to the version from the EJBA transcribed above, but differs in some details, and includes information at the end (about calling out, and being taken aboard a steamer) not in the EJBA version. Is it possible there was once a longer version from which the above are selections?]