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

PART EDITED

906, Hospital Sergeant John McVEAGH — 4th Light Dragoons

Also recorded as "Macveagh", "MacVeagh", "MacVeigh".

[PB: His initials are sometimes given as "JHS" — if so, what are his other forenames?]

Birth & early life

According to his service documents for both enlistment and discharge, he was born at Woolwich, Kent.

However, in the Census for the Tower of London in 1871 his place of birth is given as "Portugal", and in that for 1881 as "Portugal/British subject". (See below.)

As for his year of birth, possibly 1817. But the 1871 Census gives his age as 56 and that for 1881 as 67, thus putting his birth in 1814 or 1815.

His father was William McVeagh, described as a Boot-maker at the time of John's marriage, but a soldier at the time of John's birth.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Bow Street, London, on the 26th of September 1833 [1838?].

Age: 20 years 8 months.

Height: 5' 6".

Trade: Boot-maker.

Appearance: Sallow complexion. Grey eyes. Brown hair.

Service

From Private to Corporal: 6th of May 1838.

Corporal to Sergeant: 1st of April 1840.

He married in the following month. At this time, he was on Recruiting Duties in London.

Marriage registered

John McVeagh married Martha Snewin, June Quarter 1840, Lewisham.

Marriage

According to their marriage certificate, James McVeagh married Martha Snewin at Lewisham, Kent (after banns), on the 5th of May 1840. The witnesses to the marriage were George and Mary Bassett.

He was a bachelor "of full age", and a "soldier" — as was his father, William McVeagh.

His bride, a spinster, was also "of full age". Her father was William Snewin, a Bootmaker.

John McVeagh was shown as residing in the parish of St. John's, Westminster, and she at Rushey Green, Catford, Kent. Both fathers were alive at this time.

[PB: Note that HM gave his occupation on enlistment as "Boot-maker". A possible connection?]

(There is a copy of this certificate in the 4th Hussar file.)

The 1841 and 1851 Census Returns for Rushey Green at Catford make [no?] mention of the family surname of Snewin. Rushey Green at the time of the marriage was a small village with a few larger houses, most of the inhabitants being agricultural workers.

Was Martha Snewin perhaps "in service" there at some time? Or was she perhaps related to the George and Mary Bassett who were the witnesses to the marriage? The parish records for St. Mary's Church at Catford, this being the parish church, confirm the marriage as having taken place there. The baptism and marriage parts for the relevant period, however, do not mention anyone of either name.

[PB: In 2013, a correspondent researching the name "Snewin" wrote that Martha Snewin was born [or baptised?] 19 September 1814 in Great Queen Street, Lincoln Inn Fields Wesleyan, Holborn, London, the daughter of William Snewin/g (born before December 1781 in Whitechapel, London; died 1848 in St. Geo. Hanover Sq. London) and Elizabeth King (born about 1783 in Westminster; died 1851 in St. Martin, London). I have not verified this but further detailed info...]

[PB, 27.10.2013: Martha Snewin was probably related in some way to George and Mary Bassett, though it is not clear exactly how. It is possible more information about Martha Snewin will be found in Broadwater, near Worthing, Sussex.

An internet search in 2013 showed a marriage between a James "Basset" and a Jane Susannah Snewin a little earlier:

"James Basset, 1st child of J. J. L. Basset, married Jane Susannah Snewin, 22 October 1833 at Worthing. She was the 1st child (of 6) of John Snewin (1775-1835) and Elizabeth Bailey (1778-1848) of Worthing. They moved from Hackney, Middlesex, in 1802.

[PB: Interestingly, the witnesses to this marriage were Jane Mary Basset and John Snewin (http://www.barriesgenealogy.co.uk/html/st_mary_s_marriages_1558-1900.html).]

Her parents are buried in the churchyard by the main door to the church. Her father's notes are as follows: -"Born at 5 o'clock on Friday evening". Baptized by Mr. Salmon. Occupation. Carpenter and Builder. Left family firm in Clapton, London in 1803 and moved to Worthing, a place that had become popular with Royalty and was growing. Started Snewin and Sons, Builders, Worthing which is still in business in 2001 although no Snewins involved in running it.

[John Snewin] "departed this life on Tuesday, June 9th. 1835 aged 60, died and buried at Worthing." Buried at St. Mary's, Broadwater, Sussex. Gravestone reads "In Memory of John Snewin, died June 9 1835 aged 60 years. He lived respected and died lamented. — also of Elizabeth, his wife died 28 February 1848 aged 70 years". Gravestone at St. Mary's, Broadwater, is to be found at right hand of path to Church door, immediately before the door. Will dated 31 January 1828 and proved in Prerogative Court of Canterbury 6th. August 1835."

[Source: http://www.gwingenealogy.net/GENEALOGY/SURNAMES/Basset/basset.htm]

Children

- William John McVeagh, December Quarter 1843, Exeter [Birth registered].

- Martha Ann McVeagh, Hounslow Barracks, Middx, 12th October 1845 [Baptism].

- Emma Elizabeth McVeagh, born c. 1849, Ireland.

- Louisa McVeagh, The Barracks, Arbour Hill, Dublin, 20th October 1850 [Baptism].

- Eliza McVeagh, born c.1853, Whitechapel.

- John William McVeagh, June Quarter 1855, Maidstone, Kent [Birth registered].

The baptism of Martha Ann McVeagh in The Chapelry at Hounslow Barracks, 12th October 1845, the daughter of Hospital Sergeant John Mc Veagh and his wife Martha.

[This image kindly provided by Wendy Leahy, November 2013.]

(Click on image to enlarge)

The baptism of Louisa McVeagh, The Barracks, Arbour Hill, Dublin, 20th October 1850, the daughter of John & Martha McVeagh. Her father was described as Sergeant Major 4th Light Dragoons.
This huge barracks, erected in 1701, is now [2013] called the Collins Barracks and houses the National Museum of Ireland.

[Sources: Baptismal record: http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/8fabe00000195; Barracks: http://archiseek.com/2010/1701-collins-barracks-arbour-hill-dublin]

(Click on image to enlarge)

He is shown as returning to the Maidstone Cavalry Depot on the 17th of February 1841.

Appointed to Hospital Sergeant on the 3rd of May 1842.

Attained the rank of Troop Sergeant Major (although still shown as Hospital Sergeant) on the 8th of April 1849. This was normal procedure after a certain number of years (seven) in a Staff post.

He was wounded in action, and his horse killed under him during the Charge.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Cahir, Ireland, on the 15th of October 1861, "At own request, after 24 years' service."

Served 24 years 19 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 10 months.

Conduct: "a very good soldier".

Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges when promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He is possession of the medal, with an Annuity of £20 for distinguished conduct in the field, the medal (without gratuity) for good conduct and long service, and also the Crimean and Turkish medals.

Never entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Never tried by Court-martial.

Granted a pension of 2/- per day.

Intended place of residence: "The Tower", London.

Cahir Barracks, County Tipperary, Ireland.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Medals

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

The records for the award of his Long Service and Good Conduct medal however later show his name crossed through, with the addendum: "Grant of medal cancelled, and medal returned, the man being in possession of an Annuity", dated the 25th of November 1858.

Exactly what is meant by this is not clear, the regulations providing that:

"A Sergeant on becoming an Annuitant will in all cases be required to relinquish the Gratuity of which he may be in possession making a declaration in writing that he does so voluntarily".

This regulation remained the position (for both the MSM and the DCM) up to May of 1899, the Warrant of October 1900 omitting this provision and permission given to retain, but not to wear, the medal and in November of 1902 to wear both.

It can only be assumed, therefore, without knowing exactly which medals he did receive, that it was not appropriate for two medals to be awarded, although the impression given by his documents is that he did actually receive the Long Service & Good Conduct medal. The gratuity originally received with the Long Service & Good Conduct medal was £10.

For some unexplained reason, though, there is no alteration to the original entry for any of the other annuitants of the Brigade who were awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal around the same time, all of whom appear to have received the medal, with varying gratuities. (See records of 420 Samuel Williams, 8th Hussars, 709 Luke Oakley, 11th Hussars, and 483 William Cattermole, 17th Lancers.)

He was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal on the 5th of February 1855 and received it with an annuity of £20, but it is not known under what circumstances. He is known to have ridden in the Charge, and the award was most probably given for his conduct at the time. From what is later known, however, it would seem to have been for his medical services to the wounded. His rank being normally accepted as being that of a non-combatant, did he perhaps volunteer to take part, or was he ordered to do so?

Possibly other Hospital Sergeants in the Light Brigade rode in the Charge, all having been entitled to the clasp for Balaclava, but there is no proof of their participation. Only one of these, 707 George Archer, 11th Hussars, was also awarded the DCM (with a gratuity), and a Troop Sergeant Major of the 17th Lancers, 483 William Cattermole, who received the medal and annuity, but had previously been a Hospital Sergeant, went back down the valley after the battle to assist the wounded.

Commemorations

Extract from the United Services Gazette, 1st of March 1862 (not 21st of February, as stated by Lummis and Wynn):

4th (Queen's) Hussars — Cahir. On Friday the 21st ultimo, Sergeant Major John McVeagh, late of this regiment, now a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, was presented by the officers of his late corps with a purse containing 20 guineas and a silver snuff box — beautifully engraved — showing his former service.

Few men have been more honoured for their good conduct than John McVeagh [? Serjt-Major McVeagh] on his leaving the regiment, then at the Curragh, a few months back, to take up his new appointment after 24 years service.

The non-commissioned officers and privates presented him with a splendid silver tea-service with the following inscription: 'To Hospital Serjt-Major John McVeagh as a token of respect for his general kindness.'

During the Crimean War he was at all times with his regiment in the field, attending both sick and wounded, and for such distinguished conduct has received a medal, with an annuity of £20 besides a Turkish and Crimean medal with four clasps"

Life after service

John McVeagh became a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London on the 25th of September 1861.

Appointed to the position of "Water Inspector" on the 1st of January 1865.

This was a Staff position and arose from the fact that the water supply for drinking purposes in the Tower was of a limited quantity and that it was his job to oversee the supply and that this was not used for washing, bathing, etc. He resigned from this post on the 31st of December 1879.

Deaths registered

Martha McVeagh [wife], aged 54, June Quarter 1869, Whitechapel

Eliza McVeagh [youngest daughter], 16, March Quarter 1869, Whitechapel.

1871 Census

Tower of London, Aldgate, Whitechapel.

John McVeagh, Widower, 56, Yeoman Warder, Chelsea Pensioner, born Portugal (British Subject).

Martha Ann McVeagh, Daughter, Unmarried, 25, None [i.e. no occupation], born Hounslow, Middx.

Emma Elizabeth McVeagh, Daughter, Unmarried, 22, None, born Ireland.

Louisa McVeagh, Daughter, Unmarried, 20, Teacher in Training, Stockwell [sic?], born Ireland.

John William McVeagh, Son, 16, Unmarried, Clerk in Meteorological Office, born Maidstone, Kent.

"British and Foreign School Society's new Training College for One Hundred Mistresses at Stockwell", where it seems likely John McVeagh's youngest daughter Louisa trained.

(Click on image to enlarge)

1881 Census

Tower of London, London.

The 1881 Census shows him as John Macveagh, a Chelsea Pensioner, Yeoman Warder, Tower of London, aged 67 years, born in Portugal (British Subject).

He was living with his daughter, Martha, 35, whose occupation was given as "House work at home", born Hounslow, Middlesex.

Also a son, John [John William], 26, a Bank Clerk, born Maidstone, and a niece, Martha Bell, employed as a School Governess.

Death & burial

Died on the 3rd of October 1882, "after having been off duty, sick, from January of the previous year."

Death registered

John McVeagh, aged 68, December Quarter 1882, Whitechapel.

In view of the date of his death, it is not apparent why he was not a member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in either 1877 or 1879, but because of the conditions concerning the award of the DCM as being later interpreted as being for acts of gallantry only, he may not have ridden and the reason why he was not a member of the Balaclava Society at any period.

He served 21 years 1 month as a Yeoman Warder, his number being 592. He lived, and died, in a quarter in the Salt Tower, which has for many years until recently been a Yeoman Warders' residence. The Tower records had no knowledge of his having the DCM, and he is not shown as such on the memorial tablet in the St. Peter ad Vincula Chapel. This merely records their name and the year in which they became Yeoman Warders.

He was buried in Grave No. 10382, Square 75, in Nunhead Cemetery, the area being now (1984) very overgrown and derelict. Other members of his family were also buried in the same grave space. The erected stone bears the inscription:

"Sacred to the memory of Martha, the beloved wife of John McVeagh, who died 21st of June 1868 [1869]; aged 54 years, also of Eliza, youngest daughter of the above, who died 10th of March 1869, aged 16 years, also of John McVeagh, died 3rd of October 1882, aged 68 years, also of William John McVeagh, eldest son of the above, who died 6th of December 1917, also of Martha Ann, eldest daughter of the above, who died 19th [16th] of November 1919 and of Emma Cropley McVeagh, wife of William John McVeagh, died 12th [6th] of February 1924, aged 78 years."

There is no reference on the stone to John McVeagh having taken part in the Charge.

The last-named was then living at "Glenmore", No. 96 Wood Vale, SE25, and was the last registered owner of the plot.

The eldest son mentioned, William John, was born at Exeter and christened there on the 21st of October 1843, the son of John McVeagh, a Sergeant in the 4th Light Dragoons in the Cavalry Barracks and his wife Martha, formerly Snewin.

(There is a photograph of his gravestone and copy of inscription in the 4th Hussar file, and a copy of his death certificate in the 4th Hussar "Certificates" file.)

In his will, made on the 2nd of January 1880, and witnessed by Charles Champion and Henry Hanson, both Yeoman Warders, he left:

"The sum of £60 to my un-married daughter, Martha Ann [who had acted as his house-keeper] my silver sugar-basin and all my furniture (including my grand-piano) except as otherwise disposed of...

To my elder son, William John, my silver tea-pot, large medals, medicine chest, and any books or pictures or clothes he may select...

To my second daughter, Ann, my silver milk-jug and the large family Bible (Browne's)...

To my younger son, John William [at this time a bank clerk living at No 3 Crystal Palace Road, Dulwich]...my silver snuff-box, miniature medals, and any books, pictures or clothes he may select after my eldest son...

and to my third daughter, Louise, her dear mother's watch, and my silver tea-spoons and sugar tongs."

The residue of his estate was divided and shared equally amongst the five children.

Further information

Deaths registered

William J McVeagh [eldest son], aged 74 years, December Quarter 1917, Lewisham.

Martha A McVeagh [daughter], aged 74, December Quarter 1919, Wandsworth.

Emma C McVeagh [daughter-in-law], aged 78 years, March Quarter 1924, Lewisham.

In 1995 the autobiography of the Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing revealed that she was descended from John William, John McVeagh's youngest son, and his wife Emily, the youngest daughter of George James Flower and his wife, nee Miller, of Poplar. Her grandparents married in 1883.

At first a clerk in the Meteorological Office, by 1881 John William was a bank clerk, bettering himself house by house [PB: ?], before eventually becoming a bank manager at Barking, and dying at Blackheath. He had been twice married, his second wife being Marie Marten, the daughter of a dissenting cleric (Emily having died at the age of 32).

Ms Lessing's mother was Emily, one of two daughters and one son from the first marriage, who, although given a good education, excelling at music and good at sports, decided not to go to university as her very stern and ambitious father wished, but to become a nurse. She was cut off from his approval for the rest of her life, as was the other daughter, Muriel, who married back into the working class, something from which her father was snobbishly trying to escape from. Ms. Lessing wrote that her mother never mentioned her own grandfather, John, and this meant that her father, John William, did not talk about him any more than he did of Emily, his first wife.

It is not clear from the book just how much Ms Lessing knew about her great-grandfather, as she only says that "The information for this family, says the researcher [presumably a professional one] comes from the usual sources of births, deaths and marriages, the Public Record Office, army records and books on the Charge of the Light Brigade, Census reports, wills and local directories, etc.", and only adds:

"John's date and place of birth conflict in the records. He was born in Portugal and his father was a soldier. He was in the 4th Light Dragoons and served in the Crimea and East Turkey and in the Charge of the Light Brigade — he really was, for many soldiers who made that claim had no right to it. But why did they want to have been part of such carnage?"

An extract from the United Services Gazette about the presentation made to him when leaving the army is also shown (see above).

To Ms Lessing's great regret, there is no family knowledge of the existence of any photographs of John, his medals, or any of the other items known to have been bequeathed to her grandfather.

Recorded, too, was that John McVeagh's wife was formerly a Martha Snewin, her father being a bootmaker. She travelled all around the country with her husband when he was an army recruiter, but that is all we know about her. He saw to it that his children had a good education and their daughter, Martha, who looked after him when his wife died, was left well-provided for, but she is one of the invisible women of history.

Following the sending to Ms Lessing of a copy of John McVeagh's service record, etc., in 1998 a letter from her provided a copy of the research carried out on the family, a copy of his original will, and a drawing of the family gravestones and the inscriptions on it (the latter differing in several respects as regards dates) but something which, in view of the condition of the stone, understandable.

With reference to John McVeagh's birth she was aware that his service documents give his place of birth as in the parish of Woolwich, in 1817, but the Census Returns for the Tower of London for 1871 give his age as 56 and that for 1881 as 67, thus putting his birth as in 1814/15.

In both the 1871 and 1881 Census Returns (his surname is spelt MacVeigh in 1881), his place of birth is given as "Portugal/British subject".

He married Martha Snewin at Lewisham, Kent (after banns) on the 5th of May 1840, his marriage certificate showing that he was a bachelor, "of full age", and a "soldier". His father was also a soldier, William McVeagh. His bride, also "of full age", was a spinster, her father being William Snewin, a bootmaker. (see copy in the 4th Hussar file.)

John McVeagh was shown as residing in the parish of St. John's, Westminster, at this time and she at Rushey Green, Catford. Kent. Both parents were alive at this time.

At the time of his marriage, John McVeagh was on Recruiting Duties in London and is shown as returning to the Maidstone Cavalry Depot on the 17th of February 1841. The 1841 and 1851 Census Returns for Rushey Green at Catford make mention of the family surname of Snewin. Rushey Green at the time of the marriage was a small village with a few larger houses, most of the inhabitants being agricultural workers.

Was Martha Snewin perhaps "in service" there at some time, or was she perhaps related to the George and Mary Bassett who were the witnesses to the marriage? The parish records for St. Mary's Church at Catford, this being the parish church, confirm the marriage as having taken place there. The baptism and marriage parts for the relevant period, however, do not mention anyone of either name.

The Census Returns for 1841 for the St. John's parish at Westminster, his father still presumably being alive at the time and which may have been the family home, were checked, but without any result.

The 1851 Return has been indexed by the local Record Office, but here again there is nothing. Much of the London recruiting at the time took place in the London public houses, and it could have been that wherever he was stationed at the time came within St. John's parish.

The 1841 Census Returns for Maidstone Barracks show no mention of him or his wife, so he may have been living in outside accommodation. And because of the destruction of the Four Courts during the troubles of 1922, the Irish Census Returns for 1851 and 1861 no longer exist so nothing can be learnt from them.

References & acknowledgements

Additional marriage, birth and death registrations, and Census information for 1871 and 1881, kindly provided by Chris Poole.