LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive
IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION
1507, Private Thomas SAWBRIDGE — 11th Hussars
Birth & early life
[RM: Born 7th October, 1831 at Costock, Nottinghamshire, the son of John & Ann Sawbridge. Prior to enlisting on the 17th May, 1851 [sic?], he was a shoemaker.]
[PB: CHECK ENLISTMENT DATE — different from 17.6.1850 (i.e. prior to 1851 Census, when he was still at home) as stated below. Crider also gives 17.6.1850.]
1841 Census
Costock, Nottinghamshire.
John Sawbridge, 35, Cordwainer [i.e. Shoemaker making fine soft leather shoes and related luxury articles — not a cobbler].
Ann Sawbridge, 30.
Thomas, 9.
Zilla, 6.
Adah, 1.
1851 Census
Costock, Nottinghamshire.
John Sawbridge, 45, Shoemaker.
Ann Sawbridge, 41.
Thomas, 19, Shoemaker.
Zilla, 16.
Adah, 11.
Sarah, 9.
Ezra, 5.
[Date of Census: 30th March 1851.]
[PB: Do the names of the younger children perhaps suggest membership of a Christian sect? In his letter home from the Crimea, TS refers to his "kind friend and pastor", but unfortunately his name has been redacted.]
Enlistment
Enlisted at Nottingham on the 17th of June 1850.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: None shown.
Service
The Musters show that he was at sea in May 1854, and at Devna in June. He
was in hospital in July 1854 but made it to the Crimea.
[RM: Thomas Sawbridge has previously not been counted as a Charger. However, a letter to his mother, dated 2nd of January 1855, has recently [July 2012] come to light that suggests he should in fact be considered as one. This was published in the Nottinghamshire Guardian on the 1st of February 1855:
The letter as published is said to have arrived two days earlier than this, i.e. the 29th of January, presumably before the news of his death had reached England.
"Balaklava, January 2nd 1855
My dear Mother, — I dare say you have been in a sad way after hearing what the papers have stated, but you may depend upon it that I am quite safe and well — the the Lord for his kindness to me.
I have been in every engagement, and came out without a scratch. But I must tell you that I had a very narrow escape on the 25th of October. I had my horse shot from under me, and I had to run for my life. The shot and shell were flying like hail in all directions. After running about a mile over the dead and dying I fell down on my face, I was so fagged out; but I got up and reached my regiment after a struggle.
We are in a dreadful state here. We are lying on wet ground under thin canvas, and if we move we are up to our knees in wet and mud. We have had very little frost yet, but continually wet cold weather, and no signs of any change.
Everything is very dear here. We have to pay through the nose for everything we ...
[TRANSCRIBE REST OF THE LETTER]
Medals
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol. "Balaclava" clasp awarded on "OC's certificate", dated the 20th of August 1857.
The Medal Rolls show entitlement for the Crimean Medal with clasps for
Alma, Inkerman & Sebastopol. He was granted a clasp for Balaclava
(posthumously) in an Officer Commanding Certificate from Colonel Douglas
dated the 20th August, 1857.
Commemorations
Death & burial
Died, "in the Crimea", on the 28th of January 1855.
He was buried in the 11th Hussar Cemetery on the road between Kadikoi and Karani. (See copy of the memorial inscription in the 11th Hussar file.)
References & acknowledgements
Census information for 1841 and 1851 kindly provided by Chris Poole.
Further information
PB, 2013: I have not followed this up, but I notice that in 2010 there was a brief correspondence in a British genealogy forum stating that some further information has been been handed down in the descendant family. A contributor, "Dave" or "Stibs" (who described Thomas Sawbridge as his "2xgreat-uncle") wrote:
"In a family document written almost 70 years after Thomas's death by his sister's husband, it's stated that he "returned home and died from the effects of the war." Well, I know he didn't return home as he's listed in "The Last of the Brave — Resting places of Our Fallen Heroes in the Crimea & Scutari". What he died from I don't know. The muster just states "died — Kadakoi 28th January.
I just find it a little piece of the jigsaw that is missing. If he didn't have any next of kin recorded to send the £3 6s 5d he left on his death, who or what prompted the addition of the Balaclava clasp to his roll? I suspect it's a question that will remain unanswered but I live in hope.
[Source: http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php/64334-WO-Certificate-from-Col.-Douglas (accessed 22.4.2013).]
On 28 Jun 2020, at 10:57, Philip Parkinson wrote:
Dear Sirs,
I am researching the lives of some members of my family and I am anxious to learn more about Private Thomas Sawbridge (1507), 11th Hussars.
I know that he enlisted on 17 June 1851 and that he died on 28th January in Scutari Hospital.
Can you give me any information about the actions that he was involved in and the circumstances of his fatal wounds in January 1855. I have a copy letter from January 2nd 1855 (from Letters from The Light Brigade).
I will be most grateful for any additional information that you may be able to share with me.
Yours faithfully
Philip
On Sunday, 28 June 2020, 11:11:29 BST, Philip Boys wrote:
Hello, Philip
Good to hear from you
I think we can help. Have a look at this:
http://www.chargeof the lightbrigade.com/allmen/allmenS/allmenS_11H/sawbridge_t_1507_11H.html
If there's anything you can add (or subtract), that would be most helpful.
Very best wishes
Philip
On 28 Jun 2020, at 11:21, Philip Parkinson wrote:
Hi,
Thanks, that's really good and fascinating.
I think the "Dave" referred to is David Stableford, another descendant.
Also, I have an original copy of the "Family History" document referred to in your email. It was written by my Great Grandfather, Samuel John Sawbridge Stableford. It includes some entertaining anecdotes and some glaring errors!!
Once again, many thanks
Philip
On Sunday, 28 June 2020, 11:25:44 BST, Philip Boys wrote:
I'm glad the archive entry was of use, Philip
Thanks for the ref to "David Stableford", which I will add.
I would love to have a copy or transcript of SJSS's family history — at least the bits referring to Thomas. Would that be possible?
All best
Philip
From: Philip Parkinson
Date: 28 June 2020 12:21:07 GMT+01:00
To: Philip Boys
Subject: Re: 11th Hussars: THOMAS SAWBRIDGE
Reply-To: Philip Parkinson
Hi Philip,
Having had a careful look at the information, I can add a few bits.
His family were devout Primitive Methodists, her father particularly. Her mother was more "worldly". In Primitive Methodist chapels John Wesley's portrait was sometime turned to face the wall. His sister and her husband (the family history author)were active preachers on various circuits in Leicestershire.
His sisters, Zillah and Adah, were named after the 2 wives of Lamech the Bigamist. (See Genesis Ch 4)
I think I can shed light on the pastor that Thomas refers to. I think it may be Rev Dr Samuel Antliff. His sister's obituary is attached which explains.
Just to add a bit of colour, also attached is a picture of Thomas's brother Ezra.
Your reply indicates a memorial inscription in the 11th Hussar file. Is a copy available?
Finally, does the cemetery still exist? I know that many graves have been obliterated, particularly around Cathcart's Hill.
Thanks once again.
Philip
Philip Parkinson FCA
Apple Tree Cottage
24 Brook Lane
Billesdon
Leicester
LE7 9AB
Tel: 0116 259 9190
Mobile: 07956 676282
On 28 Jun 2020, at 11:21, Philip Parkinson wrote:
Hi,
Thanks, that really good and fascinating.
I think the "Dave" referred to is David Stableford, another descendant.
Also, I have an original copy of the "Family History" document referred to in your email. It was written by my Great Grandfather, Samuel John Sawbridge Stableford. It includes some entertaining anecdotes and some glaring errors!!
Once again, many thanks
Philip
Philip Parkinson FCA
Apple Tree Cottage
24 Brook Lane
Billesdon
Leicester LE7 9AB
Tel: 0116 259 9190< / Mobile: 07956 676282
On Sunday, 28 June 2020, 11:25:44 BST, Philip Boys wrote:
I'm glad the archive entry was of use, Philip
Thanks for the ref to "David Stableford", which I will add.
I would love to have a copy or transcript of SJSS's family history — at least the bits referring to Thomas. Would that be possible?
All best
Philip
Philip Parkinson sent some excellent photographs etc. TO BE ADDED..
