LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive
Added 14.9.2011. Minor edits 1.4.14.
815, Private Joseph REILLY — 17th Lancers
Also recorded as "Reintly", "Riley", "Ryley".
Birth & early life
Born in Newbridge, Co. Kildare (though not shown in the Army Chaplain's Baptismal Records) c.1830
From his obituary it would appear that his father was Captain Joseph Reilly, formerly Riding Master of the 8th Hussars. There is also reason to believe he was a brother of
1398, John Reilly, 4th Light Dragoons, who was commissioned into the 8th Hussars from being Regimental Sergeant Major of the 4th Light Dragoons, took part in the Charge with that regiment at Balaclava, and died of "sunstroke" in 1858 during the Indian Mutiny.
(For more on his family, including his sisters Matilda and Mary Ann, and brother Charles George, see Further information below.)
His mother, Jane Reilly (nee Hetherington), died in Norwich in January 1841, a few months before the 1841 Census was taken, "in her 43rd year".
1841 Census
Bilton College, Rugby.
The 1841 Census shows Joseph Reilly as one of 38 resident boarders. He is described as aged 10 years (in this Census the age shown was often rounded to the nearest 5 years), and born in Ireland.
Enlistment
Enlisted at Coventry for "unlimited service" on the 4th of March 1846.
Age:17 years 10 months.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: Veterinary-Surgeon.
Features: Fair complexion. Blue eyes. Brown hair.
Joseph Reilly did not continue as a Veterinary-Surgeon, but his younger brother, Charles George Reilly, later became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Veterinary Corps (see Further information, below).
Service
Deserted on the 1st of June and rejoined the regiment on the 6th of July 1847. Tried by a Regimental Court-martial and sentenced to imprisonment for 56 days, with hard labour.
From Private to Corporal: 27th of February 1852.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 29th of June 1853.
From Private to Corporal: 29th of August 1855.
Corporal to Sergeant: 18th of November 1855.
Confined, 25th-30th of December 1855. Tried and reduced to Private by a District Court-martial on the 31st of December. His offence was "being drunk on duty, under arms." He was also awarded 56 days' imprisonment, with hard labour, but this sentence was remitted.
From Private to Corporal: 7th of September 1857.
Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S.S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.
From Corporal to Sergeant: 1st of January 1858.
The musters for July-September 1858 show him as being "On Detachment at Sholapoore" during the whole of the period.
In action against the rebels at Zeerapore on the 29th of December 1858 and at Baroda on the 1st of January 1859.
Confined: 30th of July — 3rd of August 1860. Tried by a District Court-martial, for "drunkenness", and reduced to Private on the 4th of August.
From Private to Corporal: 16th of March 1864, but again reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 23rd of March 1867.
Discharge & pension
Discharged from Hamilton, Scotland, on the 29th of March 1870, a result of:
"Reduction of the Army and being unfit for further service. Worn out in the service. Addicted to drink, but has proved himself a gallant soldier in the field. Always a clean and smart dragoon."
Served in Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years. East Indies, 7 years 1 month. Conduct and character: "has been bad." Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Twenty-five times entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book. Six times tried by Court-martial.
Aged 41 years 10 months on discharge.
Granted a pension of 7d per day, but this was increased to 15d. from the 4th of October 1906.
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. Mutiny medal without clasp.
His Discharge documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with four clasps, Turkish medal and the Mutiny medal.
Commemorations
Attended the first Balaclava Banquet in 1875, where he is named as "Joseph Reintly".
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877 and 1879 — named as "J. Riley" on both occasions.
Signed the Loyal Address to the Queen in 1887 — named as "Joseph Reilly".
Life after service
To live at Cupola House, Hewarth Road, York, after discharge. However, the muster roll shows him as travelling to Coventry, and he was not living in Hewarth Road at the time of the 1871 Census.
He is not shown on the Regimental "Married roll" at the time of his discharge, so he was perhaps not married at this time. He was still living in the Leeds Pension District up to 1875.
1881 Census
35, Derby Road, Burton-upon Trent.
The 1881 Census Return shows him as a "Brewer's Clerk", aged 49 years, born at York [sic], with his wife Annie, 31, and two children: Joseph, 6, and Charles Henry, 5. His wife and children were born in Burton-upon-Trent.
In an Account and Address Book formerly used by James W. Wightman when the Secretary of the Balaclava Society, his address was shown as No 35, Derby Street, Burton-upon-Trent, and he is named as "J. Riley."
Death & burial
He died on the 2nd of August 1909 at 73, Derby Road, Burton-upon-Trent, and was buried in Grave No. 450 in the cemetery in Stapleton Road, Burton-upon-Trent, on the 5th of August.
In the 17th Lancer file, there is a report of an obituary notice taken from the Burton Daily Mail, 3rd of August 1909, and details of the inscription on the gravestone which was erected to both him and his wife, Anne, who died on the 11th of May 1933. (This information was provided in 1974 by his great-great grandson, Mr. C. K. Reilly, then living in Benin City, Nigeria.)
Extract from the Burton Observer, 12th of August 1909:
"Funeral of the late Mr. Joseph Reilly"
Balaclava Veteran laid to rest at Stapenhill.
The funeral took place on Thursday of the late Mr. Joseph Reilly, a Light Brigade veteran, whose death took place on Monday last as previously reported. By the request of the deceased the funeral was of a very quiet and simple character. The chief mourners were Mrs. Reilly (widow), Mr. C.H. Reilly and Mr. H.P. Reilly (sons), Miss Reilly (daughter) and Miss Davis (niece) and Mr. P. Bentley (nephew).
The cortege left the deceased's gentleman's residence amongst many evidences of sympathy, the coffin being of polished satin-wood. On arrival at the cemetery the body was met by the Revd. R.F. Way, Vicar of St. Chad's, who officiated in the church and at the grave-side. Amongst the numerous wreaths sent were those from his widow, his sons and daughters, 'Harry and Nell', and 'Percy and Ethel', and his grand-children, Ellen and Sheila. Mr. Castledine had charge of the funeral arrangements."
His burial certificate from the Stapenhill Road Cemetery records him as "A Gentleman, aged 81 years". His tombstone is situated in Stapenhill Cemetery. On the left hand side of the plinth are the words: "Also of Anne, his beloved wife, who departed this life, May 28th 1933, aged 83 years. Her end was peace".
In his will he left his personal estate of £1,732 to his wife, Anne.
Further information
There were a number of claims in 815 Joseph Reilly's obituary report that encouraged further research.
Captain Joseph Reilly, 8th Hussars [father]
It would appear that his father was Captain Joseph Reilly, formerly Riding Master of the 8th Hussars.
Joseph Reilly (senior) enlisted into the 8th Hussars at Dublin on the 21st of November 1821, with the Regimental No. 40.
He was at the Maidstone Depot from the 25th of January 1822. The regiment was then in India and did not return to England until the 5th of May 1823 — he joined it at Norwich on the 7th of May 1823. (One troop had served in Egypt in 1801, leaving for India in June of 1802. After being on detached duty, they joined the main body of the corps which had arrived at Bengal, via the Cape, the year before.)
From Private to Corporal on the 9th of July 1824, and to Sergeant on the 10th of October 1825 (the regiment then being at Hounslow.)
From March to June 1825 he was on "Revenue duty at Corfe Castle, Devonshire" [sic], and at the Riding School at Canterbury from May to December of 1826, before bceoming Troop Sergeant Major on the 25th of August 1827.
On the 26th of April 1833, he was commissioned as a Cornet (by purchase, paying the sum of £840). He became Adjutant on the 31st of May 1833, and Lieutenant and Riding Master on the 27th of May 1834.
Subsequent "Inspection Returns" were enthusiastic. One for example reporting that "I consider the Riding Master to be particularly good" and generally praising the manner in which officers and men were taught to ride: "their performance being most creditable to the instruction they had received".
Reilly became a Captain on the 3rd of September 1854, but did not serve in the Crimea and had nothing to show for his service in the army in the shape of medals or decorations. He retired from the service by the sale of his commission on the 4th of June 1857, when the regiment was at Dundalk, Ireland. He had thus served a total of 36 years and died 3rd April 1885.
Joseph Reilly married twice. His first wife, presumably 815 Joseph Reilly's mother, was Jane Hetherington, whom he had married at Corr Church, Co. Cavan, Ireland, on the 28th of December 1821. At this time he was 21 years of age and his wife, 22. This being so soon after his enlistment in November, the marriage must have been "without permission". (See also the record of 1398 John Reilly, 4th Light Dragoons, who was born only a week after this marriage took place). The Revd E.W. Young officiated and the witnesses were William Covey and Jane Hetherington. Officers were required upon marriage to render a return of this, and this he did on the 3rd of December 1833, he then being 33 and she 34 years of age. The regiment was then stationed at Gloucester and his rank was shown as Lieutenant and Adjutant.
Death registered
The death of Jane Reilly was registered in Norwich during the January-March quarter of 1841. (The regiment was at Norwich at this time.)
Extract from the Deaths column of the "Norfolk Chronicle and Norfolk Gazette" for the 23rd of January 1841:
"On the 7th inst. at the Horse Barracks after a short but severe illness, in the 43rd year of her age, Jane, the beloved wife of Lieut. J. Reilly, of the 8th Royal Irish Hussars."
Her death certificate shows that she died at the Pockthorpe Barracks, Norwich, on the 8th of January 1841, the cause of death being "Inflammation of the chest". Her husband was present at, and the informant of, her death. (See copy of this in the "Certificates" file.) She was not buried in the parish churchyard of St James with Pockthorpe (open until 1858) or in either of the two town cemeteries.
The regiment had moved to Hulme Barracks at Manchester by the time of the 1841 Census (held on the 6th/7th of June) but no trace of the family can be found either at the Cavalry Barracks or among the officers of the regiment living in streets near the barracks. The muster roll for the period shows him as "On leave" from the 13th of May until the 12th of June 1841 (but there is no indication where).
His second marriage was to Mary Ann Taylor at Fulford Parish Church on the 3rd of February 1844. He was then 44 years of age, and she 33. The officiating priest was the Revd. Isaac Spencer and the witnesses were Edward Seager, Edward Grey and Isaac Taylor. (A certificate copy of this marriage kindly provided by Dr. Kenny of Australia shows him to have been a "Widower" and she as a "Spinster", their respective fathers to have been David Reilly, a "Gentleman", and hers as Cook Cooper Taylor, a "Merchant", and lists only Isaac Taylor and Elizabeth Louisa Knights as witnesses. (See copy in the 17th Lancer file.)
1851 Census
Preston Barracks, Brighton.
In the 1851 Census Return he is shown as "James Reilly", a Lieutenant in the Army, aged 50 years, born at Cavan, Ireland.
His then wife was shown as "Ann", an "Officer's wife", 38, born at York.
Three children are shown:
Matilda, aged 26, born at Hounslow, Middlesex. (The baptismal records of St. Leonard's church at Heston show her as being baptised there on the 16th of October 1825 (born September 13th), the daughter of Joseph and Jane "Ryley" of the 8th Hussars at Hounslow Barracks. The service was performed by the Revd. H.S. Trimmer and underneath his signature are the words, "Named only".)
Mary Ann, 20, born at Manchester, Lancashire. (The regiment was there from June 1831.)
George, a "Gentleman's son", aged 12 years, born at Leeds, Yorkshire. (The regiment was there from August of 1839 but no trace of his baptism at Leeds can be found in St. Catherine's House records during 1839 or 1840.)
According to 815 Joseph Reilly's obituary, his father, Riding Master Joseph Reilly, was said to have lived at Bolton Hall, Yorkshire. Only one place of this name can be found, near Pocklington in the East Riding, but the Census Returns for 1861, 1871 and 1881 make no mention of him.
The records of York Cemetery held in the York Record Office show:
"Captain Joseph Reilly, Captain in the 8th Hussars (the King's Own Irish Regiment) [sic], Section 127, Burial No. 41257, Grave No. 17678, died, buried 6th April 1885, aged 85 years. Cause of death, 'Natural decay'. Bought from St. Oswald's Terrace."
From the Obituary Notices in the "York Herald" of Saturday the 4th of April 1885:
Reilly. — On the 3rd inst. at Fulford, Captain Joseph Reilly (late 8th K.R.I. Hussars) aged 85 years.
However, no report of his funeral can be found in any of the local newspapers of the period, so it can only be surmised that this was not recorded.
The records of York Cemetery held in the York Record Office show:
Captain Joseph Reilly, Captain in the 8th Hussars (the King's Own Irish Regiment) [sic] Section 127, Burial No. 41257, Grave No. 17678, died 3rd April 1885, buried 6th April 1885, aged 85 years. Cause of death, "Natural decay". Brought from St. Oswald's Terrace.
Also — Mary Ann Reilly, Widow of Captain Joseph Reilly, Burial No. 42178, Grave No. 17678, died 7th January 1886, buried 11th January 1886, aged 76 years. Cause of death, "Old age". Brought from St. Oswald's Terrace.
Additional information provided stated that the grave was a vault — i.e. brick-lined — and covered by a flat stone. The funeral costs were £1.00 for the interment (paid to the undertaker), £7.15s for stonework and £5.5s for the land.
From the Obituary Notices in the York Herald, Saturday the 8th of January 1886:
Reilly. — On the 7th instant at Fulford, York, aged 76 years, Mary Ann, the widow of Captain John Reilly, late 8th Hussars and youngest daughter of the late Cook Cooper Taylor, of this city.
As with Joseph Reilly, senior, no report of his widow's funeral can be found in any of the local newspapers of the time.
From Somerset House Will records for Joseph Reilly, late of 5, St. Oswald's Terrace, Gate Fulford, York, who died 3rd of April 1885:
The will (made at York on the 15th of February 1875 with a later codicil on the 25th of September 1880) bequeathed to his son Joseph an equal share of the estate (the original will only bequeathed him the sum of £1,000). It was proved at York on the 17th of April 1885 by Charles George Hetherington Reilly, of 5 Wellington Terrace, Sandgate, Kent, the son and one of the executors. He left a personal estate of £9,730/9/10d. (There is a copy of this will in the 17th Lancer file.).
The will of his wife, Mary Ann (made at York on the 22nd of May 1882 with a later codicil on the 6th of June 1885 relating to the decease of a sister beneficiary) was proved at York on the 7th of February 1886. She was then shown as being formerly of Bolton Hall in the County of York (this would confirm a family connection) but late of No 5 St. Oswald's Terrace, Gate Fulford, York. The amount of her personal estate was £11,570/5/1d, and was divided amongst her nieces, one of whom was the wife of her stepson, Charles George Hetherington Reilly, and one of the executors. There is no mention of Joseph Reilly (junior) in this will.
(St Oswald's Terrace did not exist in 1861, but in 1871 comprised 5 houses, and in 1881 10 houses, all being occupied by the professional classes. From her will it would appear that the house was purchased by Mary Ann Reilly.
The "Friends of York Cemetery" have published a booklet containing details of the grave inscriptions of many of the remaining headstones. Among these is:
Entry No. K/05/O7. Headstone, lying flat.
In affectionate remembrance / of / Captain Joseph Reilly / late the 8th K.R.I. Hussars / of Fulford / who departed this life / April 3rd 1885, / aged 85 years. / "To me to live is Christ, and / to die is gain" / Phil 1-21. Also / in loving memory of / Mary Ann, his widow / youngest daughter of / Cook [sic] Cooper Taylor / late of this City / who departed this life, Jan 7th 1886 / aged 75 years./ And I heard a voice from Heaven saying / unto me, write, Blessed are the dead / which die in the Lord from henceforth. / Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest / from their labours and their works / do follow them. Rev. xiv. 1.
The headstone laid flat in the yard for many years until funds were raised to restoring and re-erecting the stone and a simple re-dedication service was held on the 23rd of November 1996 by the Royal Irish Hussars Old Comrades Association members, the Regimental Chaplain officiating and wreaths being laid by the chairman.
In early 1996 a request to the chairman of the local branch of the Royal Irish Hussars Old Comrades Association brought the information that the stone commemorating Captain Joseph Reilly, although fallen down, still retained the inscription and photographs were provided. Following this, funds were raised to restoring and re-erecting the stone and a simple re-dedication service was held on the 23rd of November by the Association members, the Regimental Chaplain officiating and wreaths being laid by the chairman representing Dr. Kenny of Australia, who was unable to be present, and others.
A certain amount of publicity had been created in the local newspapers and a television crew filmed the scene for an evening slot in the local programme. A video of the various stages leading up to the actual service was also made, and a copy presented to Dr. Kenny.
(See copy photograph of the scene at the service and an extract from the Yorkshire Post in the 17th Lancer files. In the latter, however, there are the usual journalistic errors.)
In 1998 the local Branch of the Royal Irish Hussars Association excavated around the original gravesite and found a kerb surround. This has now been replaced in its correct position above ground level, filled in with granite chippings and planted with heather.
(See photographs of how it was originally before and after restoration, and as it is now [late 1990s], in the 17th Lancer files.)
Captain Joseph Reilly [father] and his second wife, Mary Ann: Headstone in York Cemetery
(Click on image to enlarge)
1398 RSM John Reilly 4th Light Dragoons, later Captain 8th Hussars [eldest brother]
Also mentioned in 815 Joseph Reilly's obituary was that his eldest brother was said to have been killed in action in India (as a Lieutenant) during the Mutiny in India. Only one man can be found to fit this: 1398 John Reilly, who was commissioned into the 8th Hussars from being Regimental Sergeant Major of the 4th Light Dragoons, took part in the Charge with that regiment at Balaclava, and died of "sunstroke" in 1858 during the Indian Mutiny.
Charles George Hetherington Reilly, Veterinary-Surgeon [younger brother]
815 Joseph Reilly is also said to have had a younger brother who became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Veterinary Corps. Further research shows a Charles George Hetherington (the maiden name of his presumed mother) Reilly, said to have been born in Dublin on the 1st of March 1837. (The regiment was there from May of 1836 until October of 1837. Was he and the "George" Reilly of the 1851 Census at Brighton one and the same person?)
A letter recommending him as a suitable candidate was sent to the War Office from:
"Woolwich, 21st of January 1861.
Sir, I have the honour to recommend for the favourable notice of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Charles George Hetherington Reilly for the appointment of Acting Veterinary Surgeon, vice Lang, promoted. He is the son of Captain Reilly, previously of the 8th Hussars, and he has passed a very creditable examination.
I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient servant,
John Wilkinson. PVO,
The Military Secretary."
Charles Reilly entered the Royal Artillery in 1861 at the age of 23 years as an Assistant Veterinary Surgeon ("without purchase"), became Veterinary Surgeon (1st Class, without purchase, ranking as a Captain) on the 13 of August 1863, and transferred to the 7th Dragoon Guards (by exchange, ranking as Major, but the junior in that rank except for choice of quarters) on the 14th of August 1867.
London Gazette, July 29, 1862:
Royal Artillery — Acting Veterinary-Surgeon Charles George Hetherington Reilly to be Veterinary-Surgeon, vice Frederick H. R. Spratt, who resigned. Dated 15th February, 1861.
Edinburgh Gazette: War Office, Pall-Mall, August 13, 1867:
7th Dragoon Guards — Veterinary Surgeon Charles George Hetherington Reilly, from the Royal Artillery, to be Veterinary Surgeon, vice Poyser, who exchanges. Dated 14th August 1867.
He remained with the 7th Dragoon Guards until his retirement from the service (as Honorary Inspector of Veterinary Services with the rank of Lt. Colonel) on the 19th of August 1886. (Up to 1879 all veterinary officers in the cavalry and artillery had been regimental officers, but from that time were absorbed into the newly-formed Veterinary Corps.) He had seen no active service, but had served in India from the 10th of August 1865 to the 4th of March 1868.
On the 19th of October 1861 he married Pheobe [sic?] Elizabeth Taylor, aged 22, at St. Cuthbert's (C of E Church) in York, the officiating priest being the Revd Fawcett. His wife was born in Wilberfoss, Yorkshire, and baptised there on the 16th of May 1841, the daughter of Cook Taylor and his then-wife Elizabeth. (Her name is given as "Pheby" both in the 1841 Census, when she was 3 weeks old, and in the 1851 Census, when she was 9.)
At the time of making out the official return of this marriage (on the 16th of March 1862) Charles Reilly added as a postscript — "I was not aware that this should have been sent in earlier as I would have done so."
Two children are known to have been born of this marriage, Charles Cooper Reilly, born at Kildare, Ireland, on the 18th of August 1862, and Georgina Pheobe [sic?] Reilly, at Dalhousie, India on the 27th of July 1867.
(Was there perhaps another family connection here as the names "Cook" and "Cooper" were also the Christian names of Charles George Reilly's father's second wife, Mary Ann, making the couple cousins?)
A check of the records of the Veterinary Society, of which he became a member, shows that he qualified at Edinburgh on the 9th of May 1860. The Register for 1908 showed his death being reported from Dublin sometime during the preceding year.
However, his will at Somerset House shows that he died on the 14th of December 1906 at "Rotherwood", Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. No obituary or funeral notice for him can yet be found, but St. Catherine's House records register his death in the Warwick District during the October-December quarter of 1906, aged 69 years. The will was made at York (when his address was given as Sandgate, Kent) on the 11th of April 1885 at the offices of Messrs. Cowling and Leeds, Solicitors. In this he appointed his wife, Phoebe Elizabeth, as the sole Executrix, "and I give, devise and bequeath to her absolute all of my real estate (if any) and all my personal estate whatsoever and wherever as witness my hand." Probate of the will was granted to his widow at London on the 21st of February 1907. His personal estate was then valued at £3,149/0/3d.
Charles Cooper Reilly, Surgeon Colonel, Army Medical Corps [nephew]
A nephew is mentioned as having become a Surgeon Colonel in the Army Medical Corps. This was Charles Cooper Reilly, the son of Charles G.H. Reilly, then living at No 5 St. Oswald's Terrace, Fulford, York. After qualifying in London on the 1st of August 1882, he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons and was Licensed by the Royal College of Physicians in 1884. Thereafter he had entered the Army (as a Surgeon ranking as Captain) on the 31st of January 1885, Major (serving in the Royal Artillery) on the 31st of January 1897, Lieutenant-Colonel, 31st of January 1905, as Assistant Director of Medical Services up to the 5th of July 1915, and Deputy Director of Medical Services from the 6th of July 1915. He was awarded the CB in 1917.
After his retirement from the service on the 18th of July 1919 he lived at "The Cottage", Countess Weir, Exeter, and is reported to have died on the 3rd of May 1926. (No obituary or funeral notice for him can yet be found, but St. Catherine's House records register has death at the age of 63 in the Exeter District during the April-June quarter of 1926.) His will at Somerset House shows that he died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on the 3rd of May 1926, and on being made probate by his executors, Barclay's Bank, at London on the 26th of June 1926 his assets were £6,293/11/4d.
In this will, made at Exeter on the 19th of April 1923, he bequeathed to his wife, Clare Francis Georgina, everything that was personal to him as well as his house and garden, all offices and everything of domestic use. To his daughter, Georgina Scaife, he left all of his interests in the French and Belgium Government Stock and investments in the Russian railways, and made bequests also to his son-in-law, Cecil Scaife, and step-son, Arthur de Brisay Jenkins.
He had served in the Sudan in 1885-86 and was entitled to the Medal and Bronze Star for this campaign. He had also served in South Africa during the Boer War of 1899-1902 and was entitled to the Queen's South African medal with four clasps and was later for the Great War the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals.
In 1993 a Dr. Kenny of Victoria, Australia, came to England and later Ireland, seeking information on his family relationship to both James Reilly of the 4th/8th Hussars and Joseph Reilly of the 17th Lancers. He is descended from Matilda (his great-grandmother), daughter of Captain Joseph Reilly, Riding Master of the 8th Hussars, and William Alexander Kenny, who were married in 1851 and emigrated to Australia in 1852. Once in Australia she helped her husband in establishing (as co-principal) one of the earliest schools in the colony of Victoria, in the gold fields of Bendigo, then known as Sandhurst.
On his going to the Regimental HQ. of the RIH Dr Kenny was given what information they had and a later letter to them was passed on [i.e. to EJB].
Correspondence with Dr. Kenny shows that his great-grandfather and great-grandmother were first cousins, as the father of the former had married a Mary Hetherington, and Joseph Reilly had married her sister, Jane. Dr. Kenny's father had often spoken of his grandmother (she lived until 1913) as "being born in the barracks at Hounslow in 1825", and of having two brothers who had "ridden in the Charge of the Light Brigade".
Little was known by Dr. Kenny of the various family relationships (apart from a few almost negative findings by an employed researcher) before he came to England on a visit in 1993 and visiting places learnt of by family knowledge and a visit to the HQ of the Royal Irish Hussars, where he was given copies of what they had on Joseph Reilly and his son John. His request being passed on [to EJB], a copy was sent of what was known at that particular time and efforts made to research further into what had been, up till then, an unconfirmed family relationship between Joseph Reilly, RM of the 8th Hussars, John Reilly of the 4th Light Dragoons, and 8th Hussars and Joseph Reilly of the 17th Lancers.
Further correspondence with Dr. Kenny showed that his great-grandfather was the youngest son of Matilda, daughter of Joseph Reilly, RM. Family names used in previous generations had been used again and again. The youngest son of Joseph (senior), Charles George Hetherington, was always known in the family as "George", (which would perhaps explain why he was referred to as this in the 1851 Census at Brighton, but not why he should have two different places of birth, and age.) The family possess a photograph of Joseph Reilly, RM, in uniform, taken in the 1850s, which has recently been paint-tinted over, and also one of Matilda Kenny, nee Reilly. (See copies of both in the 17th Lancer file.) They were found in a tin trunk following a house move, nothing having been previously known of them.
In later years Matilda added the Christian name of Sarah for some reason. The former picture is contained in a gilt oval frame that has mouldings on the top, bottom and sides of entwined shamrocks, with each area having a centrally placed rose amongst the shamrocks. This plant has apparently been associated with the regiment for many years and will be incorporated in the decoration of regimental items in the amalgamation of the QRIH and the Queen's Own.
While in Ireland, Dr Kenny made an effort to find out more about Joseph Reilly's marriage in 1821 at Corr Church, County Cavan. He found that the records of Cavan itself were lost in the battle for the Four Courts in Dublin during the troubles of 1922 and could only find two references to Corr itself, one being the area around Corr House in Cornafean and Corr with Corrigan, near Bellananagh. One other fact known is the confirmation by a distant relative that Joseph Reilly RM had once lived at Bolton Hall in Yorkshire, but, as already recorded, not at a time when this could have been proved.
Footnote:
RM: There is a photograph of Joseph Reilly's tombstone in Stapenhill Cemetery in the 17th Lancer file. Added unknown source Jan 2004.
Links and other sources
Gates to Burton or Stapenhill Cemetery, where 815, Joseph Riley, 17th Lancers, is buried.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Joseph Reilly/Riley (1829-1909)
Most of those who worked in Burton's breweries came from humble backgrounds. In contrast, Joseph Reilly's background was less humble and more adventurous. His career in brewing followed on from a dramatic career in the Army.
Originating in Yorkshire, Joseph Reilly followed his squadron officer father into the Army in 1846 when he enlisted among the men of the 17th Lancers. The regiment was sent to fight in the Crimea in 1854. The 17th Lancers were among those who took part in the Charge of Light Brigade (immortalized a few months later by Alfred, Lord Tennyson), which took place on 25 October 1854.
Although most of his comrades were killed or injured, Reilly made his way through the Russian lines to safety. As a result he was awarded the Crimean Medal with Four Clasps and the Turkish Medal. Surprisingly, Reilly was demoted to Private in 1856 after a Court Martial. The following year he again risked his life during the fighting of the Indian Mutiny.
After being discharged on 30 March 1870, Reilly began working as a lowly brewery labourer in Burton. Eventually he was promoted to brewery foreman. While living in Burton, he married and had children, and later led a comfortable retirement with the means to afford to employ a servant. Riley suffered ill health towards the end of his life, dying of a hemorrhage in 1909.
Close-up of the grave of 815, Joseph Riley, 17th Lancers, in Stapenhill Cemetery
(Click on image to enlarge)
The grave of Joseph Riley (1829-1909)
(Click on image to enlarge)
[Source: DeceasedOnlineBlog: East Staffrdshire Cllection refers to Joseph Reilly/Riley (and the Charge), with photographs, but not to 1480, Samuel Potter, 4th Light Dragons, who is also buried there.]
References & acknowledgements
Membership of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877 kindly provided by Chris Poole.
