Born at Maidstone, Kent, c.1828, the son of 386 William Perkins, 11th Hussars, and Mary Ann, maiden name unknown.
His father was born at Edmonton, Middlesex, and had enlisted in the 11th Light Dragoons at London on the 13th of November 1824 at the age of 18 years. William Perkins senior married Mary Ann (surname unknown), born Ellesmere, herself "a soldier's daughter, having been born into the 50th Foot". Judging by ages given in later Censuses, she could have been 15 or 16 when she gave birth to 1304 William Perkins.
In 1832, the family went to India. Presumably William junior went with them. William Perkins senior was in Meerut and Cawnpore for five years and six months.
During that time at least two more children were born:
Sarah Ann Jane, an "infant", was buried in the Cantonment Cemetery at Meerut on the 9th of June 1836.
The India Office records also show a brother, Albert James Richard, was born at Cawnpore, India, on the 7th of March 1837, and baptised on the 2nd of April 1837.
According to the 1861 Census, other children were:
Rosella, born c.1846, Ireland.
Clara, born c.1849, Manchester.
Isabel, born 1851, Carmarthen.
William Perkins senior was discharged from Hounslow Barracks on the 4th of September 1849, aged 43 years 2 months, "being unfit for further military service". He was actually in the Chatham Invalid Depot at the time of his discharge. He died in East London in 1867.
For more on his parents and siblings, see Further information, below
Enlisted at Coventry on the 16th of October 1846.
Age 17 years 9 months.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Shown as a "Servant" on enlistment, but as a "Musician" on discharge.
Appearance: Fair complexion. Grey eyes. Brown hair.
1851 Census
Cavalry Barracks, Pockthorpe, Norwich.
William Perkins, soldier, unmarried, 22, Private, born Maidstone Kent.
From Private to Trumpeter: 12th of September 1851.
Letter to parents dated 6th of November 1854 published in The Welshman, 1st December 1854:
[PB: I have not checked the transcription against the original. This letter is said to be "from a person known in this town" (The Welshman was published in Carmarthen). So how exactly was William Perkins connected with Carmarthen? Notice his sister Isabella's birth was registered in Carmarthen, June Quarter 1851.]
THE WAR IN THE CRIMEA.
Letters from persons locally connected with various districts who are in the Crimea are interesting, and although they seldom contain any additional facts to those from the newspaper correspondents, their simple recitals of military operations are perused with pleasure. The following letter is from a person known in this town.
Balaklava, Sebastopol, Nov. 6th, 1854.
My dear father and mother,
I have no doubt you will be glad to hear from me, to know whether I am alive or dead, so in the first place I am happy to be able to tell you I am not only alive, but perfectly sound in body and well in health, for which I fervently thank God. I assure you I have seen rough service since I wrote to you last. I will tell you a little of it, as near as I can.
In the first place we landed in this country on the 17th of September, and contrary to our expectations, met with no opposition. On the 18th we marched a few miles up the country on the 19th we, the Light Cavalry, were sent in advance of the whole army. At the middle of the night I was awoke by calls of Orderly trumpeter. I jumped up, and while I was sounding the "turn out," a shot very nearly took my trumpet out of my hand, which was sent by a Cossack as a sort of a welcome, I suppose. This was the first shot or firing we had, but we soon made them run.
The next day (20th) we fell in with the army, and we all marched in battle order for about 12 or 13 miles, until we came to the river Alma, where we found the Russians in force, and prepared to meet us. They had their position taken up, and had been waiting for us about six weeks, and a most formidable position they had. Indeed the place must have been formed by nature for fighting. We marched for miles along a flat country, when all at once we came to the Alma, on the other side of which tremendous hills rose range after range in our front, on our right, and on our left. On every range was placed their batteries. They had a great number of guns, from 6-pounders up to 84-pounders, and a very strong army, but I suppose you have read all about that battle in the papers, so I will only tell you I escaped unhurt. Our regiment only lost one man, although we were under fire the whole time but I can't describe to you the horrors of a battle field.
While the fighting lasted, we thought nothing of it, the excitement kept us from thinking, but we were bivouacked on the field that night, and the first thing we saw when we opened our eyes in the morning, was heaps of bodies — some dead, some dying, and some wounded. I assure you if you fancy the most horrible things you will never come near to what I saw there. That was our first engagement; and we completely licked the enemy, but 'it was hard work.' We stayed there until the wounded were collected and the dead buried, and then marched towards Sebastopol.
We have been very much harrassed and knocked about since we have been in the Crimea. For the first month we were without tents, in the open air, with nothing but the blue sky above us and a cloak round us. In the morning when we got up our cloaks were wet through with the heavy dews which fall of a night. We are never sure of a night's rest. Five nights out of six we are annoyed either by Russians or Cossacks. We turn out at all hours of the night, and sit shivering in our saddles for hours. I have been mounted from three in the morning until 11, 12, and one o'clock the next morning. A clean shirt, or flannel, or socks, I have not had for weeks and if I get my face washed once a week I consider myself a very lucky fellow.
About ten days ago we had another battle. The Russians attacked us in our rear; the Turks actually ran away, and left all their guns, and the enemy advanced right into our encampment. We had no English infantry then, and those cowardly Turks running away from them let us in for a nice mess, but, thank Goodness they had British Cavalry to meet. Our Heavy Dragoons met them at a charge, and drove them back.
Then came our turn for a charge, and we made it, but nearly all got slaughtered, and through a mistake of our General officers. The Light Brigade of Cavalry, 4th, 8th, 11th, 13th, and 19th [PB: 17th — presumably a compositor's error], was ordered to charge the enemy's Cavalry and artillery. Away we went as hard as we could ride we had to advance along a ravine about two miles in length, steep hills on both sides of us all the way down, and the enemy in front, but before we got far down the ravine the enemy opened a cross fire on us. On our left was placed their batteries; on our right was all their field pieces and whole masses of infantry, and in front was their Cavalry.
We had to ride under this terrific fire for a mile and a half. It is impossible for me to give you a proper description of it; but to hear the great cannon balls flying around us, shells bursting over our heads, volleys of grape and cannister poured in amongst us, and volley after volley of musketry. It was fearful indeed. The strength of our brigade, five regiments, was all put together, about seven hundred strong, and in less than half an hour we lost four hundred men killed and wounded, and a good many officers. I saw nearly eighty men of my own regiment fall round me in less than twenty minutes.
But for myself thank God Almighty I escaped unhurt, but had a very narrow escape of losing my right arm. When I got about half way down the charge I was struck by a ball on the upper part of my arm, just on the bottom of the cross trumpets I wear, and the ball glanced on one side. It knocked my arm powerless, and I thought at first my arm was broken, but as I rode along I felt the blood returning to my fingers and found it was all right.
I reached the end of our charge, and we drove the enemy as far as we could go, when we found to our dismay we had no reserve. We got the order to retire, when we found ourselves surrounded by Russians. The 8th Hussars, 13th Light Dragoons, and 17th Lancers, had retired all right, and there were we and the 4th Light Dragoons left to cut our way out from thousands of the enemy. We went at it in real earnest, and got through them in little time, but with hard work.
I had not gone through more than twenty or thirty yards when my poor horse got shot, and down we went, so I bundled up as fast as I could, and had to run for it. I had three chances, either to stay and be killed, or taken prisoner, to run under a cross fire of infantry and artillery for a mile and a half, and chance getting shot that way, or getting back to my own regiment, so I preferred the latter, and ran as fast as ever I could, expecting every second to be shot through the head or somewhere else, but thank God I escaped all right.
We had another battle yesterday (Nov. 5). It was a dreadful day commenced about four o'clock in the morning, and lasted till evening. We lost a great number of our infantry the Foot Guards were nearly all cut up. Our regiment lost only one man killed, and one man his arm blown off.
We have been besieging Sebastopol now three weeks, nothing but cannonading from morning till night, but they fire as fast as we do, and I can see no prospect of taking it yet. The weather is getting very cold. In the last six weeks I have been in three battles and three or four I good sharp skirmishes, and have seen enough of it. But there is worse work in store for us yet before we leave this country. Yesterday we certainly put a good many Russians out of the world, and took about the same number of prisoners, but they are lying in our rear, and on our right, and in Sebastopol, in thousands, but our position is too strong, and I know one English or French soldier is worth any six of them.
I must wind up for this time, as the post goes in the morning, so I bid you good-bye with best love.
I remain your affectionate son,
WILLIAM PERKINS, 11th Hussars.
[Source: The Welshman, 1st December 1854, http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4348307/4348311/46/letter%20from%20crimea (accessed 23.7.15)]
[PB: See Further information, below, for other recollections.]
Trumpeter to Corporal on the 10th of September 1857.
Promoted to Trumpet-Major on the 10th of November 1864.
Returned to Duty Sergeant on the 18th of July 1867.
Discharged, "Free to pension at his own request", from Chichester on the 21st of February 1871.
Served 23 years 283 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years
In India: 4 years.
Conduct: "very good". Never tried by Court-martial.
Granted a pension of 2/- per day.
Documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with four clasps, and the award, with a gratuity of £10, of the Long Service medal.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.
Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 6th of November 1869.
Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on the 20th of May 1895, with an annuity of £10. He was presented with the medal on the 5th of October 1895. Previous to this, on the 23rd of September 1891, Major General Lyttleton-Annesly had recommended him for the medal, "he having been in the Light Cavalry charge at Balaclava". A letter was sent to him on the 30th of September ("I have advised Major-General Annesley to get a recommendation sent from the Regiment"), and this was done on the 24th of February 1892.
Attended the first Balaclava Banquet in 1875.
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.
[CP: As Trumpeter W. Perkins his name appears as a member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in both 1877 and 1879.]
Signed the Loyal Address to the Queen in 1887.
He was prominently placed in the first of eleven carriages of "Battle of Balaklava Heroes" in the Lord Mayor's Show, 1890.
Attended the Annual Dinners in 1890, 1892, 1893 and 1896.
He appears in a photograph taken after the Dinner in 1890. (See copy in the 11th Hussar file.)
He was a guest at the celebrations given by T.H. Roberts in his Fleet Street offices at the time of Queen Victoria's Jubilee in June 1897 and signed the testimonial given to Mr. Roberts on that occasion. (There is a copy in the "Memoirs" file.)
He said he intended to live at Clapham Common, London, after discharge, but he was in the Greenwich District in 1874 and later lived at 13, Red Post Lane, Upton Park, Essex.
1881 Census
57, Kingsland High Street, St John's, Hackney.
William Perkins, 52, Chelsea Pensioner, born Maidstone.
Mary Ann Jane Perkins [mother], 67, Housekeeper, head, born Ellesmere.
Rosanne, 35, Governess, born Ireland.
1891 Census
7 Milton Road, Wealdstone, Harrow.
William Perkins, 62, single, Army Pensioner, born Maidstone.
Mary A, 78, mother, widow, born Ellesmere.
Rosella [sic], 43, sister, born Ireland.
William Perkins died on the 13th of July 1899 and was buried in the public section of Manor Park Cemetery on the 17th of July 1899, the funeral being paid for by the Roberts Fund.
Deaths registered
William Perkins, aged 70, September Quarter 1899, West Ham.
Mary Ann Perkins [mother], aged 87, September Quarter 1900, West Ham.
See copy of his funeral report taken from the Stratford Borough and East Ham Express of the 22nd of July 1899 in the 11th Hussar file.
His grave plot is No. 167 Square 8, in the Manor Park Cemetery, Forest Gate, London. The whole area is now (1984) heavily overgrown and wooded and impossible to find any particular grave-plot. No headstone was erected.
Extract from the Army and Navy Gazette for the 29th of July 1899:
"An old non-commissioned officer of the 11th Hussars has just died at Manor Park, aged 71 years, in the person of Trumpet-Major Perkins. He was for many years in the employ of the Corporation of the City of London as an attendant at the Royal Exchange. He had been ailing for the past two or three months, necessitating his giving up his employment and he died about three weeks after taking to his bed.
He served throughout the Crimean campaign and had the medal with four clasps and the Turkish medal. He was field-bugler to Colonel John Douglas, commanding the 11th Hussars at Balaclava. When the men were scattered and in retreat after the Charge, Colonel Douglas and a few of the 11th were approaching a formed-up line of men whom they took to be a squadron of their own. Colonel Douglas ordered Perkins to sound the "Reform" but at that moment it was seen that the line was a Russian one and Perkins sounded the "Rally." He was struck by a spent ball and got out of the "Valley of Death" on foot, his horse having been killed.
He was not married, but leaves a widowed mother nearly 90 years of age, whom he has maintained for many years. The old lady is also a soldier's daughter, having been born into the 50th Foot."
Extract from the Broad Arrow, 22nd of July 1899:
11th Hussars. — The funeral took place at Manor Park Cemetery on the 17th inst. of Trumpet-Major William Perkins, late of the 11th (P.A.O.) Hussars and one of the survivors of the Light Brigade Charge at Balaclava. The coffin, which was covered with a Union Jack, bore the veteran's uniform and sword and was followed to the grave by several of his old comrades, and the funeral expenses were defrayed by the Balaclava Survivors Relief Fund.
Extract from the Illustrated Bits, 19th of August 1899:
"This fine old veteran eked out a living from a pension of 2/- per day by acting as an attendant at a City of London underground lavatory. Asked why he did not try to make his 2/- per day support him, he answered, "I have my mother to keep", and I found this to be the truth.
Perkins was seventy-one when he died — worn to a skeleton by paralysis and consumption. What an end for one of those of whom Tennyson sang, "When shall their glory fade." His mother wrote to me that she was in very poor circumstances (she is 88 years old) and I devoted part of the Fund money in giving poor old Perkins a decent funeral.
Two of his old comrades accompanied me to the grave-side and there, with his mother and some seven or eight other sympathetic souls, looked on as the body of the old soldier was lowered to its last resting-place. The Union-Jack covered the coffin and the hero's medals, sword and jacket rested thereon. His poor old mother said, "I had so much hoped for a military funeral." But alas, old ladies cannot be expected to understand the ways of the British Government."
Born at Edmonton, Middlesex, William Perkins [senior] had enlisted at London on the 13th of November 1824 at the age of 18 years. He was 5' 6" in height, with a fair complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair, and was a gardener by trade.
From Private to Corporal 20th of November 1825.
Sergeant 25th of August 1826.
[PB: It would be good to know when he married Mary Ann (surname unknown)? According to reports, she was "a soldier's daughter, having been born into the 50th Foot", born in Ellesmere. Judging by ages given in later Censuses, she was 15 or 16 when she gave birth to 1304 William Perkins in Maidstone around 1829. Presumably William junior went with them to India?]
Resigned to Private, "in order to embark for India", on the 29th of July 1832.
From Private to Corporal: 7th of August 1835.
He was in Meerut and Cawnpore for five years and six months.
Another child of William Perkins [Senior], Sarah Ann Jane, an "infant", was buried in the Cantonment Cemetery at Meerut on the 9th of June 1836.
The India Office records also show a brother, Albert James Richard, as being born at Cawnpore, India, on the 7th of March 1837 to Private William Perkins of the 11th Light Dragoons and his wife, Mary Ann Jane. He was baptised on the 2nd of April 1837.
Resigned to Private on the 4th of December 1846.
Discharged from Hounslow Barracks on the 4th of September 1849, aged 43 years 2 months. (He was actually in the Chatham Invalid Depot at the time of his discharge.)
Discharged for "being unfit for further military service".
The medical report states:
"Has been suffering for some time past from chronic pains in his back and loins and is also subject to vertigo and as his constitution and strength are too much impaired from long service — several years of which have been passed in India, he is recommended to be discharged from the service. His disabilities have been produced partly in and by the service and have not been aggravated by vice or design. His conduct under my observation has been good. Unfit for service and likely to be disqualified from military duty."
Served 24 years 231 days. Awarded 1/1d. per day pension.
Birth registered
Isabella Perkins [sister of 1304 William Perkins], June Quarter 1851, Carmarthen.
1861 Census
Royal Engineer Establishment, Brompton Barracks.
William Perkins [senior], 54, head, married, Servant to the establishment, born Southgate, Middlesex.
Mary Ann, 47, born Ellesmere.
Rosella, 15, Pupil teacher, born Ireland.
Clara, 12, Scholar, born Manchester.
Isabel, 10, Scholar, born Carmarthen.
Death registered
William Perkins [senior] died in the East London Pension District on the 19th of March 1867.
1871 Census
6, Church Building, Wandsworth, Clapham [sic?].
Mary A. J. Perkins, 57, widow, Servant, Housekeeper, born Ellesmere.
Notice that in the 1881 Census and 1891 Censuses [above], Mary Ann Perkins was living with her unmarried son William and daughter Rosanne/Rosella.
[PB: In 2012, 1304 Trumpeter William Perkins's medals were listed by Dixons Medals of Bridlington, East Yorkshire, with supporting information.]
"Trumpet Major William Perkins, born Maidstone, Kent; enlisted 11th Hussars, 1846; served in the Crimea with the Regiment and was one of three Trumpeters of the 11th Hussars who rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Perkins stated, 'I was a Trumpeter to Colonel Douglas and rode close to him in the charge and the retreat, until my horse was killed after passing the Lancers. When halted about 100 yards in right rear of the guns, I hear Colonel Douglas call out, 'What are we to do now Lord Paget?', he replied, 'Where is Lord Cardigan?' and galloped away. I never saw nor heard him again. The 11th alone pursued the Russian Hussars to the end of the valley. When surrounded, Colonel Douglas ordered us to rally on the 17th Lancers. I immediately sounded the rally. We were then close face to face with the Russian Cavalry. When engaged with the Lancers I saw Lieutenant Dunn [V.C.], with one stroke of his sword sever a Russian Lancer's head all but off' (A Victorian RSM, George Loy Smith refers).
Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas led the Regiment in the Charge, and Perkins, as his Trumpeter, would have been party to the key events involving the Regiment during the charge to the guns and the retreat through the Russian Lancers.
'Shortly after the Light Brigade had climbed into their saddles and been ordered to advance, Colonel Douglas turned to address the men. In a firm loud voice he said: "Eleventh, attention. Now men, in all probability we shall meet the enemy today. When you do, don't cut but give them the point and they will never face you again."
What was left of the 11th after they had reached the guns rallied behind Douglas and was then joined by the 4th Light Dragoons under Paget (there is some debate as to who took command). It was not long before they realised that the Russian Lancers were blocking their retreat, recognisable due to the pennons hanging from their lance heads.
Douglas describes what happens next: "I saw in our rear two squadrons of Lancers drawn up. I instantly proclaimed, "They're the 17th, let us rally on them". At that very moment Lieutenant Roger Palmer rode up and said, "I beg your pardon, Colonel, that is not the 17th, that is the enemy" Well I exclaimed, "We must only retire and go through them". So with the 4th Light Dragoons we charged the Russian Lancers and got past them with few casualties" (Forgotten Heroes, The Charge of the Light Brigade, R. Dutton refers [PB: p.152. RD does not give a source.]).
It would appear that Perkins sounded the rally before the 11th Hussars and the 4th Light Dragoons charged back through the Russian Lancers.
Perkins was promoted to Sergeant in 1858 and to Trumpet Major in 1864. He received a [Long Service and Good Conduct medal] with a gratuity of £10 in 1869, this medal being returned when he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1896, as is the custom. Perkins was discharged in 1871, after 24 years of service with the Colours.
Perkins attended the First Balaklava Banquet, 25.10.1875; was a Member of the Balaklava Commemoration Society in 1879; and attended the Annual Dinners in 1890, 1892, 1893 and 1897.
During the Lord Mayor's Show of 1890 a number of Crimean War Veterans (under banners of 'Battle of Balaklava Heroes') processed in open topped carriages accompanied by the bands of the Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards and the 2nd Life Guards. In the programme for the event it lists that Trumpeters Landfried of the 17th Lancers and Perkins of the 11th Hussars were in a carriage at the head of the procession.
In later life Perkins lived at 13, Red Post Lane, Forest Gate, Essex. He died in 1899 and his burial was paid for by the T.H. Roberts Fund.
[Source: https://www.dixonsmedals.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1013803&osCsid=4136qk8br9jr4171iorhkr1ai (accessed 30.9.12, but unavailable 26.6.12). An almost identical account is given in "The Douglas Archives" website: (dated 1.10.2011, accessed 30.9.12). Both give as their source Roy Dutton's Forgotten Heroes.]
[PB: His medals had previously been auctioned by Spink, July 22, 2010, lot 193. I am grateful to Tony Margrave for bringing this to my attention. The following comes from the Spink auction catalogue. The text is almost identical to the Dixon's entry above. ]
Trumpet Major William Perkins, 11th Hussars
The Important Crimea Group of Three to Trumpet Major W. Perkins, 11th Hussars, Who Charged With the Light Brigade and Had His Horse Killed Under Him, 25.10.1854; Perkins Was Trumpeter to Colonel J. Douglas During the Famous Charge and is Recorded as Having Sounded the Rally Before the 11th and the 4th Light Dragoons Charged the Russian Lancers. [Four Medals] Crimea 1854-56, four clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Trumpet Major W. Perkins. XI.th. P.A.O. Hussar..), regimentally impressed, suspension re-affixed, top right lug missing; Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Trumpet Maj. W. Perkins. 11/Hussars.); Turkish Crimea, Sardinian die (Sergt. W. Perkins 11th P.A.O. Hussars.), contemporarily engraved in upright serif capitals, pierced for ring suspension, M.S.M. very fine, others worn therefore fine or better, all with contemporary silver top riband buckles (3)
1304 Trumpet Major William Perkins, born Maidstone, Kent; enlisted 11th Hussars, 1846; served in the Crimea with the Regiment and was one of three Trumpeters of the 11th Hussars who rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade, Perkins stated, 'I was a Trumpeter to Colonel Douglas and rode close to him in the charge and the retreat, until my horse was killed after passing the Lancers. When halted about 100 yards in right rear of the guns, I hear Colonel Douglas call out, 'What are we to do now Lord Paget?', he replied, 'Where is Lord Cardigan?' and galloped away. I never saw nor heard him again. The 11th alone pursued the Russian Hussars to the end of the valley. When surrounded, Colonel Douglas ordered us to rally on the 17th Lancers. I immediately sounded the rally. We were then close face to face with the Russian Cavalry. When engaged with the Lancers I saw Lieutenant Dunn [V.C.], with one stroke of his sword sever a Russian Lancer's head all but off' (A Victorian RSM, George Loy Smith refers).
Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas led the Regiment in the Charge, and Perkins, as his Trumpeter, would have been party to the key events involving the Regiment during the charge to the guns and the retreat through the Russian Lancers, 'Shortly after the Light Brigade had climbed into their saddles and been ordered to advance, Colonel Douglas turned to address the men. In a firm loud voice he said: "Eleventh, attention. Now men, in all probability we shall meet the enemy today. When you do, don't cut but give them the point and they will never face you again." What was left of the 11th after they had reached the guns rallied behind Douglas and was then joined by the 4th Light Dragoons under Paget (there is some debate as to who took command). It was not long before they realised that the Russian Lancers were blocking their retreat, recognisable due to the pennons hanging from their lance heads. Douglas describes what happens next: "I saw in our rear two squadrons of Lancers drawn up. I instantly proclaimed, "They're the 17th. Let us rally on them". At that very moment Lieutenant Roger Palmer rode up and said, "I beg your pardon, Colonel, that is not the 17th, that is the enemy" Well I exclaimed, "We must only retire and go through them". So with the 4th Light Dragoons we charged the Russian Lancers and got past them with few casualties" (Forgotten Heroes, The Charge of the Light Brigade, R. Dutton refers).
It would appear that Perkins sounded the rally before the 11th Hussars and the 4th Light Dragoons charged back through the Russian Lancers. Perkins was promoted to Sergeant in 1858 and to Trumpet Major in 1864. He received a L.S. & G.C. with a gratuity of _10 in 1869, before returning this medal (as was the practice of the time) when he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1896. Perkins was discharged in 1871, after 24 years of service with the Colours.
Perkins attended the First Balaklava Banquet, 25.10.1875; was a Member of the Balaklava Commemoration Society in 1879; and attended the Annual Dinners in 1890, 1892, 1893 and 1897. During the Lord Mayor's Show of 1890 a number of Crimean War Veterans (under banners of 'Battle of Balaklava Heroes') processed in open topped carriages accompanied by the bands of the Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards and the 2nd Life Guards. In the programme for the event it lists that Trumpeters Landfried of the 17th Lancers and Perkins of the 11th Hussars were in a carriage at the head of the procession.
In later life Perkins lived at 13 Red Post Lane, Forest Gate, Essex. He died in 1899 and his burial was paid for by the T.H. Roberts Fund.
Additional birth and death registrations, membership of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877, and Census information for 1851 — 1891 kindly provided by Chris Poole.