Martin Lanfried was born in Gibraltar on the 25th of August 1834, said to be the son of Bandmaster Lanfried of the 60th Rifles.
He is shown in the musters of the Royal Hibernian School, Dublin, as being from the 53rd Foot.
A brother, John, and a sister, Ann, were both born on the island of Corfu.
Leonard Lanfried [probable father]
A Leonard Lanfried had served in the 60th Rifles and later in the 53rd Regiment, and from all known facts is likely to have been the "Bandmaster" of the 60th Rifles reputed to have been his father.
1306 Leonard Lanfried was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, about 1800, and enlisted into the 60th Rifles at Buttevant on the 23rd of February 1815 at the age of 14 years. (Under age until the 28th of February 1819.)
He was 5' 3" in height, with a dark complexion, grey eyes and black hair, and a "Musician" by trade.
From Private to Corporal, 25th of November 1825.
He was tried by a Regimental Court-martial on the 19th of May 1826 and reduced to Private for "cutting out several sheets from the Band music book and appropriating the same for his own use".
To Corporal again on the 25th of October 1826.
Tried and reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 19th of October 1827.
Marriage: IGI records show Leonard Lanfried married Margaret Long at St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, on 20th of July 1830.
Martin Lanfried born 25th of August 1834 in Gibraltar.
Leonard Lanfried was promoted to Corporal on the 6th of December 1832 and again reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 29th of November 1834.
Transferred to the 53rd Foot on the 10th of October 1839.
Discharged from Portsmouth Citadel to a modified pension of 10d. per day on the 26th of August 1840.
He served 21 years 177 days. (He had been re-engaged for a further period of 12 years' service at Weymouth.)
Served in Gibraltar: May 1816 — May 1818
America: September 1819 — August 1824
Portugal: January 1827 — April 1828.
Gibraltar: November 1830 — July 1834 (This would cover the date of birth of Martin Lanfried).
Malta: November 1834 — July 1835
Corfu: July 1836 — June 1840.
To live at Portsmouth after discharge. Conduct and character: "Has been good latterly." Aged 39 years 3 months on discharge.
A copy of a letter exists amongst his documents at the P.R.O.:
Portsmouth, January 2nd 1844:
"Sir, Having been admitted an out-pensioner of H.M. Royal Hospital Chelsea on the 26th of August 1840 from the 53rd Regt. of Foot at 10d. per day, after which I was paid off from H.M. Ship "Rodney" on the 10th of October last, I therefore humbly beg that you will be pleased to order the amount of pension which may be due to me, paid through the Collector of Excise at Plymouth. In so doing you will oblige,Your grateful servant,
Leonard Lanfried."
To this he had added a postscript:
"Be pleased to return my parchment certificate when discharged from the 53rd Foot. Also my discharge from the "Rodney" as they may be of service to me."
He asked for his pension to be sent, "C/o Mr. Avery, 565 Coburg Street, Plymouth".
Leonard Lanfried is shown in the ship's musters as having been "paid off" on the 10th of October 1843. He was rated as an A.B. and his conduct was noted as "very good". His age on entering the ship was 39 years. He died in the Dublin Pension District on the 6th of April 1846.
Enlisted at Dublin on the 10th of November 1844 by "Special Authority, and to go to the Band". Bounty of £2/2/0 was paid.
Age: 14.
Height: 4' 10".
Trade: None.
From Private to Trumpeter: 9th of June 1854, becoming Captain Webb's trumpeter in "D" Troop.
He was shot through the right arm during the action of Balaclava. The bullet, striking his pouch, glanced off and killed his horse. He was brought out of action by 1149 James Mustard, 17th Lancers. This act kept them in close friendship all their lives. Every signed copy of the Balaclava Dinner menus seen have their signatures next to each other.
Sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854.
Invalided from Scutari to Chatham Invalid Depot aboard the "Sultana" on the 21st of December 1855 and sent from there to the Brighton Depot on the 10th of May 1855, before rejoining the regiment at Cahir, Ireland, on the 1st of June 1856.
He appeared before Queen Victoria in the Mess-Room at Brompton Barracks at Chatham on the 3rd of March 1855.
Promoted to Trumpet-Major, vice Henry Joy, on the 7th of October 1857.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
In action against the rebels at Zeerapore on the 29th of December 1858 and at Baroda on the 1st of January 1859.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 29th of January 1860.
Promoted to Trumpet-Major again on the 22nd of September 1860.
Discharged, "time expired", from Colchester on the 27th of May 1865.
Served 12 years 228 days, to count.
Conduct: "very good."
In possession of two Good Conduct badges.
In later life he gave the reason for his leaving the Army that, having passed through Kneller Hall, he had been offered a position as a Bandmaster in a Foot Regiment (said in his obituary to have been the 43rd Foot) but had no wish to leave the Cavalry.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Mutiny medal without clasp.
It was later learnt from his obituary report that he was also awarded the Volunteer Long Service medal, and a Special Army order dated the 17th of January 1895 lists the Officers, N.C.O.s and Men of the 1st Sussex Volunteer Artillery (Eastern Division R.A.) and other units of the Army who were awarded it. He is shown as No. 1071 Serjt-Trumpeter L. [sic] Lanfried. (There is a copy of this roll in the 17th Lancer file.)
[EJB: These medals (and his Turkish Crimean medal) formed part of the "Needes" collection in 1906, but were later known to be in an English private collection (1971).
In the 17L archive there are photographs of his group of medals, a photograph of him in the uniform of the 17th Lancers wearing his medals, and another photograph, said to have been taken on the 15 of August 1893 by William Avenell of West Street, Brighton, and now in the Stationary Office Records at the PRO.
This last is captioned "Bandmaster Martin Lanfried, a Balaclava Veteran", and shows him in a uniform in keeping with that rank — but oddly enough, not wearing any medals.
t was later learnt from his obituary report that he was also awarded the Volunteer Long Service medal and a Special Army order dated the 17th of January 1895 lists the Officers, N.C.O's and Men of the 1st Sussex Volunteer Artillery (Eastern Division R.A.) and other units of the Army who were awarded it. He is shown as No. 1071 Serjt-Trumpeter L. (sic) Lanfried. (There is a copy of this roll in the 17th Lancer file.) While doubtless not his original medal, there is now an un-named medal of the type with the group.]
Attended the first Balaclava Banquet in 1875.
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.
Signed the Loyal Address to the Queen in 1887.
Present at the Annual Dinners in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1897, and 1899.
Present at the Jubilee celebrations given by T H Roberts in his Fleet Street offices in June 1897. He also signed the testimonial given to Mr. Roberts on that occasion. (There is a copy in the "Memoirs" file.)
[PB: ML is reported to have led the band at the funeral of 1193 William Pitt, 4th Light Dragoons, in March 1901.]
Extracts from the Sussex and Surrey Courier, 9th of March 1901 and from the Army and Navy Gazette, 10th of March 1901:
On Saturday last the mortal remains of the late Mr. William Pitt, of No. 15 Nelson Place, Brighton, were interred in the cemetery there with full military honours in the presence of a very large gathering. What added to the mournful interest was that his wife, who only survived him by a few days, was laid to rest with him.In front of the cortege came the firing party under the command of Sgt. Randy, with reversed carbines. The band of the 1st Sussex Volunteer Artillery came next — accompanied by Bandmaster Landfried, himself an old Balaclava veteran — playing Chopin's impressive "Funeral March." Behind them came the gun-carriage bearing the remains of the late Farrier Pitt and the hearse in which reposed the body of his wife. The soldiers fired three volleys over his grave and the bugler sounded the "Last Post" in farewell to the dead warrior."
Another soldier from the now rapidly thinning ranks of the Light Brigade has answered the great bugle-call which ends for him all earthly warfare. William Pitt, who was a farrier in the 4th Light Dragoons (now the 4th Hussars) died in Brighton last week in his 82nd year. He took a great interest in the affairs of the regiment to the end and often spoke with great pride of the days when he wore the uniform of the 4th L.D. He took part in the Balaclava Charge and reached and spiked several of the Russian guns. Whilst doing so he was severely wounded and remained on the field of battle until the next day. Pitt received the British, Turkish and French medals and four clasps [sic]. The funeral, which took place of Saturday, was a military one, and was witnessed by a large number of people. Simultaneously was buried the body of Mrs. Pitt, who died two or three days after her husband, at the age of 76.
Sergeant Landfried, another Balaclava veteran, led the band in attendance and a detachment of the R.F.A. from Preston Barracks acted as escort, Lieutenant Berrill being in command. The coffin was draped in the national colours and several beautiful wreaths surmounted it. Following amongst the crowd were to be seen several old comrades. As the cortege wound its way along, hats were respectfully raised. Along the Lewes Road the band played the Dead March in "Saul", Chopin's "Funeral March" being played as the cemetery was reached. The service in the chapel was conducted by the Revd. T.W. Macintosh, curate of St. Martin's, members of the Royal Artillery carrying the coffin into the sacred edifice. At the graveside many had gathered, and as the coffin was lowered into the ground the usual three volleys were fired and the "Last Post" sounded.
Marriage registered [1st wife]
Martin L[eonard] Landfried married Josephine H[oldsworth] Barnes, December Quarter 1866, Brighton.
[24th December 1866, Saint Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex, England. His wife would have been about 21, since her birth was registered in Hastings in the September Quarter of 1848.
Births registered
Annie Holdsworth Landfried, December Quarter 1867, Brighton. [baptised 22nd December 1867, St Nicholas, Brighton.]
Leonard Thomas Landfried, September Quarter 1870, Brighton.
Adelaide Landfried, September Quarter 1872, Brighton. [baptised 15th September 1872, St Nicholas, Brighton. Death registered: December Quarter 1872, Brighton].
Faith Landfried, March Quarter 1874, Brighton.
Josephine Landfried, June Quarter 1877, Brighton. [baptised 29th April 1877, St Peter's, Brighton.]
George Arthur Landfried, June Quarter 1876, Brighton.
Rosina Landfried, September Quarter 1882, Steyning.
[PB (January 2015): According to Hilary Greenwood, Shoreham Fort historian, ML worked at Hannington's Department Store, Brighton, after leaving the army. (https://archive.org/details/EDIS-SWDPC-01-04, January 2014 (accessed 12.1.2015).
Looking back in 2013 at the history of the shop, the local Argus newspaper wrote:
"Dubbed the Harrods of Brighton, [Hannington's] employed more than 200 staff across 70 different departments and dominated North Street for nearly 200 years. It was the most prestigious shopping address in Brighton, synonymous with quality, elegance and glamour. But in the 1980s the vast department store was well past its prime and found itself stuck in a time warp. Competition from out-of-town rivals, with lower prices and free parking, heaped on more pressure and it was eventually sold [2000]..."
[Source: The Argus, 8 July 2013 (accessed 12.1.2015)]
1871 Census
30, Queens Gardens, Brighton.
Martin Leonard Landfried, 36, Clerk (Draper's), born Gibraltar, Europe.
Josephine O Landfried, wife, 22, born St Leonard's, Sussex.
Annie O Landfried, daughter, 3, born Brighton, Sussex.
Lionard T Landfried [sic], son, 9 months, born Brighton, Sussex.
1881 Census
3, Brooker Street, Hove.
Michael L Landfield [sic], 47, Musician, born Gibraltar.
J H Landfield, 30, Hastings.
A H Landfield, 13, Brighton.
L T Landfield, 10, Brighton.
Faith Landfield, 7, Brighton.
George Landfield, 5, Brighton.
Josephine Landfield, 4, Brighton.
102, Good Station Road, Tunbridge.
Charles Knight, 73, Tailor.
Kate Knight, 33, Mantel Maker.
Annie Knight, 24, Upholsteress. [future 2nd wife].
1887: A George A. Lanfried (from the 17th Lancers) is recorded in the Male Discharge Book of the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea, as having been "Withdrawn by his father" on the 16th of February 1887 at the age of 10 years 11 months. His recorded number was 9460 and the date of his entry is shown as the 7th of January 1887. However, there is no corresponding entry in the Admissions Book for this date, so he may not have actually joined the School. Only one son, Thomas L., is known to have been at Martin Lanfried's funeral. [See below.]
Death registered
Josephine H Landfried [1st wife], aged 42, June Quarter 1890, Steyning (Hove).
Marriage registered [2nd]
Martin Leonard Landfried married Annie Knight, December Quarter 1890, Steyning.
1891 Census
64, Westbourne Street, Aldington.
Martin L Landfried, aged 57, Draper's Clerk, born Gibraltar British subject Spain.
Annie Landfried, 31, Tunbridge Wells.
Faith Landfried, 17, No Occupation, Brighton.
George Landfried, 15, [occupation illegible], Scholar, Brighton.
Josephine Landfried, 13, Scholar, Brighton.
Rosina Landfried, 8, Scholar, Brighton.
Marriage registered
Faith Landfried [daughter] married Edwin Shaw, December Quarter 1893, Steyning.
Births registered [to Faith Shaw (nee Lanfried)]
Harold Edwin, December Quarter 1894, Steyning.
Wilfred Leonard, 1895.
Sydney Alfred, June Quarter 1898, Steyning.
Ronald Percival, December Quarter 1899, Steyning.
Arthur Daniel, December Quarter 1901, Brighton.
Leslie Raymond, September Quarter 1905, Steyning.
Lily Rosina, June Quarter 1907, Steyning.
George B., September Quarter 1912, Steyning.
1901 Census
4, Portland Road, Hove.
M.L. Landfried, 66, musician, born Gibraltar, British Subject.
Annie Landfried, 43, born Tunbridge Wells.
A sister-in-law and 2 boarders are also shown.
Death registered
Martin L. Landfried, aged 68, December Quarter 1902, Steyning.
Martin Lanfried died on the 8th of December 1902, when living at 4, Portland Road, Hove, Sussex.
He was buried in Hove Cemetery on the 13th of December 1902 with full military honours.
In his will he left his estate of £1,669 to his wife, Annie.
His grave, which is numbered N. 171 Block F. Section A., bears the following inscription on the stone erected over it:
"Here lies a soldier of the King and of the King of Kings.
Martin Leonard Landfried,
Who from his 15th year he served his country in the 17th Lancers at Sevastopol, the Alma, Balaclava — sounding the charge at the latter engagement — and in the Indian Mutiny, and retiring as Trumpet-Major in 1865. Joined the 1st Sussex R.G.A. (Vols.), becoming Bandmaster in 1890.
Born 25th August 1834. Died 8th December 1902.
God grant that he may sleep sound from the "Last Post" until "Reveille".
This monument was erected by the Officers, Non. Com. Officers & Gunners, 1st Sussex R.G.A. (Vols.) "
There are photographs of this stone in the 17th Lancer file.
"I am Trumpeter Lanfried..."
Landfried: "I am Trumpeter Lanfried. One of the surviving trumpeters of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. I am now going to sound the bugle that was sounded at Waterloo, and sound the charge as was sounded at Balaclava on that very same bugle, on the 25th of October, 1854."
Mary Ferguson: "Record made at Edison House, Northumberland Avenue, London, August 2nd, 1890."
In January 1977 a programme was broadcast in New Zealand on the Centenary of Thomas Edison and sound recording. One of the items was a recording made in or about 1890 of Trumpeter Martin Landfried of the 17th Lancers sounding the Charge on a bugle which he said had been used at both Waterloo and Balaclava. (Another report at the time stated that the "1st Life Guards [sic] have lent General Gourard their famous Balaclava bugle, and it was on this historic instrument that the notes of "The Charge" were actually sounded by Sergeant Landfried, late of the 17th Lancers..." It was said by those who heard it to have been quite an experience, listening to a man who had played a part in the history of the last century.
Further information on the "Charge" recording comes from a letter to the then Regimental Secretary in 1987 from a Mr. Bennet-Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell is now engaged in research on the life of Colonel George E. Gourard, who was awarded the American Congressional Medal of Honour during the American Civil War and who later acted as Thomas E. Edison's London representative, where he was associated with the introduction of public street lighting, the telegraph and the phonograph into England.
Colonel Gourard is said to be an avid believer in "good works", and when in 1890 the St. James's Gazette set up the Light Brigade Relief Fund, with Lord Alfred Tennyson and Colonel Gourard being on the Committee, the latter arranged:
"to have recordings made of Lord Tennyson reciting "The Charge of the Light Brigade, of Trumpeter Landfried, who was supposed to have sounded the "Charge" at Balaclava, repeating his performance on what was said to be the original bugle, borrowed from the British Museum [sic] for the purpose (it was also said to have been used at Waterloo) and of Florence Nightingale addressing a few words of comfort to "her dear old comrades of Balaclava".
On October 27th 1890 a special Variety Performance was given, in which ML featured. The Times reported that:
"At a given moment, some of the famous "Six Hundred" to the number of 30 or 40, appeared on the stage, when Trumpeter Landfried sounded the "Charge" as he did on October 25th 1854, whereupon Mr. Charles Warner came forward and recited Lord Tennyson's poem, with much feeling. The veterans, who appeared in civil garb, were loudly cheered, and by way of response, they waved their hats and shouted 'Hurrah'."
The female voice which can be heard making the announcement in all the recordings belonged to Mary Helen Ferguson, who was governess to the Gourard children and later Colonel Gourard's secretary. She later took charge of the "Music Room" at Edison House.
In the Regimental Museum of the 17th/21st Lancers is a framed and mounted reproduction of Elizabeth, Lady Butler's painting of the The Return from the Light Brigade Charge, accompanied by a manuscript letter from Florence Nightingale to Colonel Gourard. It would appear that this was originally sent by her to him for some charitable purpose, possibly for sale by auction, and was bought either by the Colonel (whose son was then in the 17th Lancers) and presented by him to the Regiment or was perhaps bought by the officers of the regiment.
(See also the record of 914 Joseph John Keates, 11th Hussars.)
On the 25th of May 1988 a Cavalry trumpet — less mouthpiece, and marked with a broad arrow, BO. 17L 4., and inscribed as "Carried by Trumpeter M. Larfield [sic] 25th of October 1854" was sold at an auction held by Kent Sales, Lot SS16.
Marriages registered
Leonard Thomas Landfried [son] married Olive Peters, December Quarter 1903, Steyning.
George A Landfried [son] married Beatrice Dodd, December Quarter 1904, Birkenhead.
Annie Landfried [daughter] married John C Symonds, September Quarter 1914, Steyning.
Births registered
Children of George Landfried [son]:
Edward Leonard Landfried, December Quarter 1906, Birkenhead.
George A Landfried, July Quarter, 1909, Birkenhead.
Albert A Landfried, October Quarter 1911, Birkenhead.
Irene J Landfried, June Quarter 1920, Birkenhead.
Edna E Landfried, September Quarter 1921, Birkenhead.
1911 Census
27, Brooker Street, Hove, Sussex.
Annie Landfried [2nd wife], aged 51, widow, Upholsterer, born Tunbridge Wells.
* Marie Symond signed the form on Annie's behalf.
36, Gladstone Road, Seacombe, Cheshire.
George Arthur Landfried [son], 35, Carpet Planner, House Furnishings, born Brighton.
Beatrice Landfried, 31, born Wallasey.
Edward Leonard Landfried, 4, born Seacombe.
Deaths registered
George A Landfried [grandson], September Quarter 1910, Birkenhead (born September Quarter 1909, Birkenhead).
Josephine Landfried [daughter], aged 41, June Quarter 1917, Steyning.
Faith Shaw [daughter], 63, March Quarter 1937, Brighton.
Annie H Landfried [2nd wife], 73, June Quarter 1941, Brighton.
George A Landfried [son], 69, September Quarter 1944, Wallasey.
Leonard T Landfried [son], 74, March Quarter 1946, Hove.
Beatrice Landfried [daughter-in-law], aged 89 years, June Quarter 1959, Birkenhead.
Census information for 1871, 1881, 1901 and 1911, and numerous registrations of births, deaths and marriages, kindly provided by Chris Poole.
[PB: In January 2015 I wrote a brief blog about ML, prompted by an article in the Financial Times about the Edison recordings. See Balaclava's Greatest Hits: Trumpeter Lanfried sounds the Charge....]