There was originally no information about this man in the EJBA.
When he started researching the field, Jim Boys included only those men he knew from records had actually arrived in the Crimea and were entitled to the Crimea Medal. He later accepted that this was too restrictive, but was unable to add all the men who embarked for but did not reach the Crimea. Many, for example, died en route at Varna, Bulgaria, where epidemic diseases such as cholera were rife in the camps. Others arrived too late to qualify.
The current editors are intending to include these men, and will be adding information as soon as possible.
Further information, Laurence Crider, In Search..., 3rd edition p.193.
PB, October 2017: In 2017 a Crimea medal, apparently to David Pease, appeared on Alan Thomas's "Medals of England" website. According to the site, it is "entirely genuine and 100% correct in all respects":
"correctly engraved ... in the superbly executed and classical running script of the period. When the medal arrived with us it was wearing a single ALMA clasp with a tiny section of original ribbon still clinging to the suspender. We have now returned it to it's original issue condition with it's BALACLAVA & SEBASTOPOL clasps" [punctuation as in the original].
However according to EJB, DP had not reached the Crimea, and hence was not entitled to the Crimean Medal.
Even more remarkably, Thomas made asserted that DP was a previously unknown Charger, in support of which he cited a range of evidence e.g. "verbal reports" from the family, the timing of DP's stay in Scutari, the endorsement of "a Consultant Surgeon who is a great friend of our company" about the nature of DP's medical condition at Scutari, and a comparison with seemingly similar cases of Chargers who had not appeared in official lists of the time.
In an acrimonious interchange between the dealer Alan Thomas on the one hand and Laurence Crider, Glenn Fisher, and Dr Douglas Austin on the other, these claims were disputed. (Roy Mills too had enjoyed a lengthy dispute with AT about 18 months previously, with a similar outcome.)
I have included the texts of some of the correspondence verbatim, including the original punctuation, spelling, capitalisations etc.
A MAGNIFICENT CRIMEA MEDAL. A NEW & 'PREVIOUSLY UNRECORDED LIGHT BRIGADE "WOUNDED" CHARGER. 682. Private David Pease. 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars.
CRIMEA MEDAL 1854:
This superb medal, which has never been publicly advertised or professionally researched before, was still with the extended paternal family line until recently.
We have now proven beyond all reasonable doubt that David Pease rode in the charge as it's always been known by the family that he did.
This is a correctly engraved medal in the superbly executed and classical running script of the period. When the medal arrived with us it was wearing a single ALMA clasp with a tiny section of original ribbon still clinging to the suspender. We have now returned it to it's original issue condition with it's BALACLAVA & SEBASTOPOL clasps which were indeed originally mounted loose on the original ribbon. The medal retains all it's original deep and undisturbed tone and naturally aged patination over crisply struck and prooflike surfaces.
(SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE)
This type of late 'loose' (& missing) clasp issue on cavalry medals was a common situation which I myself encountered in 1979 when I purchased an almost identical medal, the Light Brigade K.I.A. charger medal to DAVID PURCELL 11th HUSSARS.
The David Purcell medal also arrived with a single ALMA clasp.This medal was Sold by us to The Rev LUMMIS in 1980
David Pease is clearly entitled to the ALMA, BALACLAVA & SEBASTOPOL clasps, but not unusually, and as with a goodly few similar men, he's not recorded at all on the relevant cavalry medal rolls. However, the medal is entirely genuine and 100% correct in all respects. David's full service papers (colour copies pictured above) have luckily survived at the National Archive. Such Crimea medal roll omissions, transpositions and errors are very regularly encountered and such inaccuracies and vagaries are a very common feature of the hand complied Victorian medal recording of the period.
(NOTE)
A further 'unrecorded' medal with 2 clasps, Alma, Balaklava To Cpl Wm. Burgess, 8th Hussars, was sold as Lot 694 by DNW on 17th September 2004.
Thus, there were clearly some very poor recording issues with the medals to men of this unit.)
David Pease was not present at INKERMANN as having been wounded in The Charge he was in SCUTARI HOSPITAL during November 1854. He was invalided out on 30th March 1855.
An Interesting and Compelling Family Story and background came with the medal from David's present family, that:
"He had his horse shot from under him and was badly wounded when he hit the ground hard having been unseated at the fast gallop"
And recently a further statement has surfaced from the family stating that it was known that
David was 'right at the back of the other men and horses' and he had only galloped a few yards when his horse was shot, it threw him off and he hit a boulder with his side" Apparently he was then,"cared for over 'a couple of days at camp' before being taken to the hospital "Having carefully listened to the verbal reports from the family, I can tell you with great certainty that David Pease's wounding pretty much certainly took place in the first few moments of The Charge as the 8th Hussars were indeed right at the back of the entire cavalry formation right at the start of the charge. His family also know what type of injuries he had sustained and they completely tally with the written medical reports on his papers ....right down to the slightly late hospital admission.
His male descendent also remarked to me that as a 'typical Pease' and as a common labourer he was not the type of Norfolk man who would be seen at posh get togethers and reunion dinners etc and that it is known he was pleased to be back home and out of the army....in tune with that opinion is the fact that he clearly never wore his medal as it's 'stiff' and practically mint state!
*see injury description in medical history below.
David Pease is recorded in the classic Lummis & Wynn work 'Honour The Light Brigade' as being in hospital at Scutari, October-December 1854 and discharged in March 1855.
His army medical discharge papers state:
(Doctor's statement)
'Rendered unfit for active service by severe pain in left side and difficulty of breathing. Suffered greatly from frost in Turkey and afterwards from rheumatism and is still liable to be better in change of weather'
According to a Consultant Surgeon who is a great friend of our company, this obviously painful and limiting injury could well be the result of a fall from a horse which looks like it probably also caused a broken rib and could also have caused associated lung damage.
Further:
(Senior medical officer's findings) 'After examination of Pte David Pease (36 days treatment in general hospital), am of the opinion that he is unfit for service'
OUR OPINION;
This is a 'classic' new find which fits in 'exactly' with the known histories of many other men who rode and were injured in the charge. David Pease was a member of the 8th HUSSARS and was a wounded charger as he was clearly admitted to Scutari hospital after The Charge in late October 1854 where he remained until December.
His medal, which is close to mint state, and having until now resided with the Pease family has never come up for sale previously and as such has never received the full attentions and in depth research given to other known 'extant' medals to other chargers.
Another supporting factor is his recorded 'invaliding out' in early 1855 which again is seen being a very common factor with a great many of the permanently damaged men who took part in the charge.
He was recorded as an in-patient at Scutari Hospital for '36 days' until December 1854. This period neatly reflects his hospitalisation from 27th October 1854 to 2nd December 1854 and indicates fairly serious wounding rather than sickness. Men with enteric fever either died or recovered more quickly than this. In addition, he is shown on the published internet roll as 'invalided' to England from Scutari on 30th March 1855. Men were not 'invalided out' by enteric fever...they either died or recovered.
**DNW have only sold three Crimea medals to the 8th HUSSARS in the thirteen years since 2002 and they are extremely rare.
In depth research continues.
IF YOU ARE A LIGHT BRIGADE ENTHUSIAST OR HAVE ANY INFORMATION WHATEVER THAT MIGHT SHED EXTRA LIGHT ON THE CAREER OR SERVICE OF DAVID PEASE WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR FROM YOU. THE FAMILY STORY OF DAVID's EARLY WOUNDING IN THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE IS CLEARLY AND PATENTLY CORRECT.
There are various accounts which deal with the recorded numbers of wounded men who rode with 8th Hussars. The official Balaclava casualty roll states "14 other ranks wounded" ...however, the recent work 'Forgotten Heroes' now records '17 other ranks wounded' and hence it's now well known that the official roll does not show an accurate picture. Indeed, as these clearly obvious 'newly proven' chargers do occasionally show up over the years, the standard and accepted literature will have to be amended and updated, just as it has always been updated to include men like David Pease. The true record of those who took part in The Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava on 25 October 1854 will from today show another Forgotten Hero ....DAVID PEASE! ........
A "MUST HAVE" MEDAL at ONLY £8,500.
WITH PART-EXCHANGES VERY WELCOME
[Source: Medals of England: 682. Private. David Pease. 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars (accessed 5.10.2017).]
Somebody — presumably an actual or potential purchaser — must have asked Douglas Austen for his views, and he in turn referred the query to Laurence Crider. LC dismissed the claims at length and in some detail.
To whom it may concern:
Recently, Dr. Douglas Austin, a member of the Crimean War Research Society sent me links to your webpage concerning the proffering of the Crimean Medal of 682 Pte David Pease, requesting my opinion of the claims' validity.
In re the claims of the Pease family that David rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade, I have seen nothing, to date, to indicate that this is true or even reasonably defensible.
David Pease is not mentioned in Roy Dutton's "Forgotten Heroes: Charge of the Light Brigade" book in which he notes everyone who, in his numerous years of research, rode in the Light Brigade.
Roy Mills and Philip Boys, who run The Lives of the Light Brigade website, (and who control probably the most comprehensive archive on the men of the Light Brigade in existence) have, to date, and to the best of my knowledge, not asserted that Pease was a Charger. I have included Philip in on this e-mail so that he may review and respond to the claims.
Lummis and Wynn, who spent over 40 years researching the men of the Light Brigade, did not conclude that he was a charger, and in fact, mention that he was at Scutari from October to December 1854 (Honour the Light Brigade, 1973), p. 113.
Terry Brighton, former or present curator at the 17th Lancers museum and author of Hell Riders: the true story of the Charge of the Light Brigade (2004) includes a list of Chargers as appendix in his book, from which Pease's name is conspicuously absent.
Dr. Douglas Austin, member of the Crimean War Research Society and author of numerous scholarly articles on the men of the Light Brigade and the Charge for over more than a decade, has not uncovered this alleged fact in his researches. Nor has Glenn Fisher, FRHistS, an expert on the Cavalry in the Crimean War in his years researching the cavalry uncovered this incredible story.
I am the author of the most complete listing of the men of the Light Brigade in existence (listing everyone who served in the Light Brigade, at home or abroad, from 1854 to 1856). I based much of my book on all the facts I could glean from the Muster Rolls of the Light Brigade from 1854-1856. Reviewing the photocopies I have for the 8th Hussars, I have verified the following "facts" (assuming whoever made the relevant documents was not criminally negligent in the performance of his duties): According to WO12/845 for the period of 1 April to 30 June 1854 indicates that he was present for 67 days from 25 April to June 30, with 38 days on board ship, also noted in remarks "On Board the Shooting Star", and 22 days on shore; the 3rd Muster indicates he was assigned to "Outpost Duty". The missing days he was with the regiment prior to embarkation.
The Musters for the following quarter show him present for duty 92 days, the last quarter of which he spent at Varna. For the final quarter of 1854 the Musters show him "at Scutari" all 3 Musters, although the lines dedicated to the number of days present for duty and in hospital are merely lined thru. I am reasonably sure this is the source Lummis and Wynn used to make their declaration "At Scutari October to December 1854" [Lummis and Wynn, 113]. The Service Muster entries for Pease for 1 January to 31 March have the days present lined thru. Thereafter the 1st and 2nd Musters covering January and February 1855 are endorsed "Scutari" and the 3rd Muster indicates "Invalided to England 30 March from Scutari."
Based upon the comments on your website about how he "may have incurred a broken rib", I am guessing that the "how" he got the injury is not specifically addressed and anything beyond that point is mere speculation. Since the official army records appear to prove that he never set foot in the Crimea, there would have been no grounds to issue him a medal, much less the attendant clasps.
I have no idea where you obtained the medal, but if you purchased it believing it was issued to a genuine Light Brigade Charger, I fear you have been hoodwinked, and I strongly recommend against trying to sell it as such.
Sincerely,
Lawrence W. Crider, FRHistS
Editor of The War Correspondent: the journal of the Crimean War Research Society
Author of In Search of the Light Brigade.
Glenn Fisher also responded, in line with LC:
Gentlemen
The discharge papers in WO97 medical report states that Pease was 'Rendered unfit for further service by severe pain in the left side and difficulty in breathing. Suffered greatly from fever in Turkey and afterwards from rheumatism and is still liable to the latter on change of weather.'
Pension documents show he received a temporary pension of 9d which would cease in 18 February 1859 and that he died age 38 on 1 May 1857.
The usual practice when recording wounds in the medical reports was to put in the details regarding how the wound was received and where.
There is no such detail in the above report.
This might be disappointing for the owner of the medal but this with the other documentary evidence suggest the accuracy of the Lummis and Wynn entry and the other researched works.
Best wishes
Glenn Fisher FRHistS
Crimean War Research Society (Chair)
Editor of 'Crimean Cavalry Letters' Army Records Society 2011.
Society for Army Historical Research.
Alan Thomas replied combatively (though to DA rather than LC, who was evidently his intended target):
Good evening Mr Austin.
I don't believe I've had the pleasure of a contact or doing any business with you from you previously .....which having been in the business for forty years this month I find rather odd! ....and I've actually never heard of you!
I'm also well used to rude people & general dream stealers who just seem to delight in "sounding off" their opinions on subjects which they 'claim' to know all about.
The medal came directly from the Pease family and has a spotless background and provenance. Having been in this business full time since 1977 I'm here to tell you that David Pease took part (and was wounded) in the charge......but unlike your conveyed image he was clearly just an ordinary chap and not a social climber or 'know all' hobnobber who frequented the military reunions or the posh but dubious London clubs and organisations....he was a Norfolk farmer who was so pleased to be alive and back home he never looked back.
For your further information, and I want you to take careful note....
I was recently provided with a contemporary private Crimean war diary which was kept by the family of an officer who actually assisted in the 'dragging' (his description) of David Pearce from the Balaclava battlefield and back to the general encampment....prior to his being taken to hospital......it's all here ....word for word.
So you might like to put that in your pipe and smoke it .....sir! David Pease is also listed in your book under his unit.
So now you might like to now tell me why David wasn't in the charge & why you think I've been 'hoodwinked' by the goodly Pease family.
....I'm listening!!
As John Hayward once said to me when I bought my first charger medal (David Purcell 11th Hussars, K.I.A.) ... (Bought in a junk shop in Liverpool for £25 in 1979) " if the men were not in hospital on the 25th October 1854 then they pretty much all took part in the charge" ......Maybe you would wish to challenge John on that.
During my career not only have I been plagued by "know all's and dream stealers" but I've had the privilege to own over 30 such medals, (and I still own about 15, almost all of which are casualties). Many of the sold medals were eventually purchased by the Rev' Lummis .....and like the Pease medal they all initially just 'showed up' out of the blue.....many in varying naming styles and even with incorrect, wrongly arranged and even missing clasps.....but all totally genuine.
So.....in the words of your anonymous friend who's email comments you included at the base of your disjointed note :......"I hope that the above information also "sorts you out".
Also....Never ever assume that you know everything, that's seriously arrogant and please also make sure before operating the Mk1 brain and running the Mk 2 mouth that you have ALL the facts ....because if you don't then your reputation might fast become seriously impugned.....and anyway ....once you start believing your own inflated ego or pumped up propaganda you can become a serious bore at dinner parties.
My kindest regards
Alan Thomas
DIRECTOR Medals of England
PB: It would be good to see the officer's war diary AT mentions (but had not previously reported), which if validated would be more or less conclusive:
I was recently provided with a contemporary private Crimean war diary which was kept by the family of an officer who actually assisted in the 'dragging' (his description) of David Pearce [sic] from the Balaclava battlefield and back to the general encampment....prior to his being taken to hospital......it's all here ....word for word.
I do not know of this account — none of the memoirs in the EJBA mention "Pease" or "Pearse".
DA replied:
Dear Mr Thomas,
I was entertained (but not amused) by your abusive remarks, ill-directed as they were... I have copied them elsewhere, as you can see.
They would be better directed to Mr Lawrence Crider, an acknowledged expert on the Light Brigade of Cavalry in the Crimean War.
This matter is closed as far as I am concerned.
Dr Douglas Austin
Alan Thomas also attacked Laurence Crider:
From: "Alan Thomas"
To: "LAWRENCE CRIDER"
Sent: Friday, October 6, 2017 9:49:54 PM
Subject: Re: Pease medal
Dear Mr Crider ....
Your communication has just arrived into my 'junk mail' bin .....which by it's nasty, arrogant and accusatory tone is exactly where it belongs ....and to where it will shortly be returned.
Your opinions have not been requested and being provably incorrect nor are they required.
I really don't know who you are or how all this crap started but I really don't appreciate the negative tone of this collective & circulated assault by this bunch of no hoper goons ( non of whom I've ever heard of or done business with... ....including you or your publication!) all of who clearly have ZERO knowledge of the complete research which pertains to this medal.
As far as having 100 years collective experience .....all I can say is that they didn't pick up many table manners during that period......did they ?
Based on just 25 years of experience each, I was clearly buying light brigade charger medals when you wallies were still picking your noses at school!
I bet these idiots are also a serious wow at dinner parties and looking at the proletarian nature of the written content of their communications I doubt whether any of them has so much as a grain of serious education between the whole sad gang.
Totally pathetic grammar and zero skill of construction or composition.
Zero out of ten ...See me!!
There has also been nothing 'incoherent' or 'abusive' in my communications with any person who's email address also appeared in my mail box. If someone sees fit to permit his name to be attached to an email circulation of such a rude and crass nature then he's fully open to a response.
If I have any more contact from you or any of the persons linked to your email or receive notice of any further publication of anything negative about me or my property I will immediately, and without notice instigate legal action against YOU .
Maybe that will garner some peace and ensure that you keep your totally incorrect and unsolicited opinions to yourself.
If you are an editor you should know better and be fully ashamed of yourself for bringing your publication into disrepute by allowing it and yourself to be associated with such a basal bunch of ill advised and uneducated munters.
Alan Thomas
DIRECTOR
Medals of England
This Month's Quote:
"IF FOR ALL YOUR LIFE YOU HAVE SLEPT SOUNDLY IN YOUR BED...
AND IF FOR ALL YOUR LIFE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN AWOKEN IN THE NIGHT BY THAT SUDDEN KNOCK ON THE DOOR OR THE RUSH OF FEET COMING UP THE STAIRS .......THEN, FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE YOU NEED TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN OF S.O.E. FOR GIVING YOU A LIFE OF FREEDOM "
For the agents of The Special Operations Executive 1939-1945
[[[[1914 .....FOREVER NINETEEN]]]]
(A POEM OF REMEMBRANCE BY ALAN THOMAS)
They were the very best, just boys, heroes leaving in the warm August sun. On sooty stations, damp faced young girls waved a million fond farewells, their scented letters slowly read in dim flickering trenches.
A century gone, they grow not old as we grow old, but lay, forever nineteen, forever silent, at final peace, deep in France's mud, lost to sight but not to mind, forever messengers of freedom, forever young, forever brave, cheered on for eternity to ever bolder deeds by love for King & country, with thoughts of home, green fields and the bright hearths of England.
Alan Thomas, 2016.
To which LC replied:
