Added 23.12.12. Minor edits 5.4.14. Some re-ordering, minor edits, and memorial card added 3.1.2016. Info. about 1871 Census and death registration aded 14.12.2020.
IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION
1586, Trumpeter William SMITH — 11th Hussars
Birth & early life
Born in the parish of St. Saviour's, London, c.1820.
Enlistment
Enlisted into the 3rd Light Dragoons at Queen's Square, London, on the 7th of February 1839. Regimental No. 1083.
Age: 20 years 1 month.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Portmanteau-maker.
Appearance: Fair complexion. Grey eyes. Dk. brown hair.
Service
3rd Light Dragoons
From Private to Trumpeter: 12th of July 1841.
Served in the campaign in Afghanistan, including the forcing of the Kyber Pass, Sutlej campaign of 1845.
At Ramnugger on the 27th of November, passage of the Chenab, 22nd of December, the action of Voodlapure, 3rd of December 1848.
At Chilianwala, 13th of January and Goojerat, 21st of February 1849.
Reduced to Private by a Regimental Court-martial on the 28th of March 1847.
From Private to Trumpeter: 1st of May 1849.
Returned to England aboard the "Herefordshire".
11th Hussarss
Transferred to the 11th Hussars on the 1st of July 1853.
He served throughout the Crimean campaign of 1854-55. Present at the skirmish of the Bulganak, battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol.
Horse killed under him during the Charge.
Sick at Scutari General Hospital 1st of April — 10th of May 1855.
Reverted to Private, "at his own request", on the 7th of June 1856.
From Private to Trumpeter: 1st of April 1857.
Transferred to the Military Train on the 30th of May 1858. Regimental No. 2587.
Appointed to Trumpet-Major in the 6th Battalion on the 1st of July 1858.
He later served as Trumpet-Major to the Cheshire (Earl of Chester's) Yeomanry.
Discharge & pension
Discharged from the Curragh Camp on the 15th of March 1864, at his "Own request, after 24 years' service".
Served 25 years 16 days.
In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years
In India: 13 years 6 months.
Conduct: "very good".
Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges when promoted to Trumpet-Major, but would now have had three.
Aged 45 years 8 months on discharge. To live in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Medals
Awarded the medal for the Cabul campaign.
Medal for the campaign with clasps for Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon.
Medal for the Punjab campaign with clasps for Chilanwala and Goojerat, serving throughout the Punjab campaign up to the occupation of Peshwar.
Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 5th of June 1856 with a gratuity of £5.
Further detailed medal information archived.
Commemorations
Attended the first Balaclava Banquet in 1875.
Named as Trumpeter W. Smith on both 1875 & 1879 Balaclava Commemoration Society lists.
From the Daily Telegraph (unknown date, but must have been just before the 1875 Dinner):
"The following is from the pen of Mr. William Smith, who was in the Charge, and is now Trumpet-Major to the Duke of Westminster.
He says, 'I write to inform you that another old "cherry-picker" intends to put in an appearance, namely your old chum, Bill Smith, from the 3rd Light Dragoons. You will remember that night when you carried me to the hospital with a bowel complaint, for even if you forget it, I never shall.
'But now, old boy, what about the banquet. I intend coming, paying my own expenses or not. If I can get my railway free, well and good — if not — that will not keep me from coming up to London — to shake hands once more with my brother comrades of the "Six Hundred...'
This gallant soldier served 15 years in India and had his horse shot under him in that Valley of Death and was hurt by the animal falling on him, but he still found time to bind up a wound in the thigh which one of his comrades had received, and brought him safely out of the field of battle."
Life after service
1871 Census
Heath Side, Knutsford Interior, Knutsford
William Smith, 48, Militia, On Staff of the Yeomanry, born St Saviours.
Mary J Smith, 33, born Barnsley, York
Death & burial
WS lived in Freehold Terrace, Love Lane, Knutsford, Cheshire, with his wife Mary, and this is where he is said to have died on the 16th of November 1879.
Death registered
William Smith, aged 57 years, December Quarter 1879, Altringham.
His death certificate shows him as having died from "Apoplexy, accelerated from an overdose of laudanum whilst in a state of unsound mind."
His occupation was described as: Army Pensioner, Manager of Club and Court-Crier, his age being given as 57 years. The certificate was received from Edward Garside, Cheshire Coroner of Inquests, these being held on the 11th and 25th of November and registered on the 27th of November 1879.
It would appear that in early November of 1879 he had been on a brandy-drinking spree, which seemed to make him depressed. He was often troubled with colds, and on the 15th of November he informed a number of people that they would never see him again, before sending a friend to a chemist to buy laudanum, a strong opium-based sedative which he said was to make cough-mixture.
He also withdrew fifteen pounds from the bank to cover his debts in the town and drank the potion during the course of the afternoon.
He began to show the effects in the early evening, but by the time it was realised what he had done and a doctor had been sent for, it was too late.
See copies of the newspaper reports of his death and the inquest held on him, taken from The Examiner, 22nd and the 28th of November 1879 respectively, in the 11th Hussar file.
In 1988 a Mr. John Lester of Oldham, with the permission of the Royal Hussars, began moves to have a gravestone erected to William Smith. The Knutsford Historical and Archaeological Society were very enthusiastic and, as a result, with the Association arranging a stone and receiving permission from the Vicar and Parish Council, a headstone was duly erected.
This is of the standard Commonwealth War Graves Commission style with the badge of the 11th Hussars and bears the following inscription:
"1686 Trumpet-Major William Smith. 11th Hussars (PAO) and Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Cavalry".
Under the centre cross is: "'Honour the Light Brigade.' One of the Noble 600. Born 1822. Died 16.11.1879."
The stone is crowned by the words "Buried in this churchyard."
On the 26th of May 1991 a service of dedication was held at the stone, attended by Mr. Lester, the Knutsford Historical and Archaeological Association, the British Legion, the Cheshire Yeomanry and members of the public.
The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Reverend Michael Walters.
With the actual grave-site unknown, the headstone was erected at the foot of the grave of William Smith's great friend, Sergeant-Major Thomas Mullins, who had served in the 4th Dragoon Guards before joining the Cheshire Yeomanry.
(See photographs of the stone, and of the area in which it was placed, in the 11th Hussar file.)
Likenesses
See in the 11th Hussar file a copy of an article which appeared on his life and death in the Cheshire Life magazine, February 1969, together with a photograph of an oil-painting of him and pictures of places connected with the article.
Portrait of William Smith, 11th Hussars, Knutsford Public Library
(Click on image to enlarge)
The original of this portrait (said to have been found in the basement) has been restored and is now known to be in the Knutsford Public Library.
A poem, said to have been written by Smith, entitled "Balaclava" and dated "Balaclava Heights. 1854." appeared in the 11th Hussar Regimental Journal for 1912. (There is a copy of this in the 11th Hussar file.)
In 1951 a plaque was placed on the wall of his former home which reads:
"Trumpet-Major William Smith, 1822-1879, who sounded the Charge at Balaclava [sic] lived here. This road was formerly known as Love Lane."
There is a photograph of this in the 11th Hussar file.
Extract from the Cheshire Life, February 1956:
"O' the Wild Charge They Made."
H. J. Foster writes of Trumpet-Major William Smith of the Cheshire Yeomanry.
Just a century ago — in 1869 — several notable events took place concerning the Earl of Chester's Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry.
On the fourteenth and fifteenth of October, after a great deal of civic preparation, the New Town Hall was opened in Chester by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. The Yeomanry provided the mounted escort, consisting of the Forest Troop and a detachment of the Cholmondley Troop.
Wearing the Hussar busby, which, only six years earlier, had replaced the old Light Dragoon shako, and armed with the Light Cavalry sword with which the whole regiment had been equipped with in 1851 (12/6d. each) the Cheshire Yeomanry looked very martial and therefore deserving of the praise which the Prince so warmly gave them.
This last important event was not, however, without some piquancy, since it represented the last act of Lieutenant-Colonel Lord de Tabley after twenty-two years as the Regiment's Commandant.
He resigned on the thirtieth of October, to be succeeded by Captain Hugh Lupus, Earl of Grosvenor, who was gazetted on the twelfth of November as Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, vice Lord de Tabley.
But the event with which our story is concerned took place on the fifteenth of May, two weeks before the Regiment went on permanent duty at Chester.
The Regimental Order for that day read:
"The following promotions will take place in the Earl of Chester's Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry — Trumpeter William Smith of the Tabley Troop to be Trumpet-Major."
Neither name nor event could be considered as resounding on the face of it, but though there were several Troop Trumpeters of the Yeomanry, it was Trumpet-Major Smith, the permanent Staff Trumpeter, who was the focus of attention.
Smith was forty-seven years old when he was promoted, and had by then already served thirty years in the Army. He had joined the 3rd Light Dragoons in 1839, at the age of seventeen, and seen service in the Afghan War of 1842. The Third were present at Cabul, for which Smith received a medal.
A second medal represented the First Sikh War of 1845-46, in which the Third Light Dragoons were present at Moodkee and Sobraon.
A few men of the Third, perhaps as "gallopers" detached from their Regiment, received this medal for Aliwal. [Not so, these men were recruits from England "on their way to join", who were taken temporarily on the strength of the 3rd Dragoons for the battle.] A third medal with two clasps represented his campaigning in the Punjab in 1848-49 at Chiliawala and Goojerat.
In 1854 he volunteered for the Eleventh Hussars as a Trumpeter and went through the Crimean campaign with that regiment, earning a fourth medal, with four clasps bearing the resounding names of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol.
It is on record that "he was appointed Field Trumpeter to Lord Cardigan and sounded the memorable "Charge " at Balaclava. In this engagement his horse was shot under him but he escaped unhurt.
The sounding of the 'Charge' has been the subject of controversy ever since Balaclava. That the preliminary calls such as 'Advance' was sounded and relayed through the regiments, bringing the Light Brigade to a state of readiness and then into action and that the charge began without the call being sounded are points which most authoritative accounts agree.
The illustrious names of the regiments concerned, and the last-minute change in the order of battle, in which the Eleventh were ordered to fall back in support of the first line, are too well known to warrant description here. However, a personal account is worthy of note.
Sergeant-Major George Loy Smith of the Eleventh, 'a stern soldier', later gave his version of the charge, in which he mentions the last-minute changes in the order of battle and 'the trumpets now sounded the "Advance," the Thirteenth (Light Dragoons) and Seventeenth (Lancers) moved off, and we, the Eleventh, were ordered to support them. As soon as they, the first line, had advanced about 100 yards, we moved off, soon breaking into a gallop...'
Sweeping nearer the Fedioukine Hills than any other regiment, the Eleventh suffered greatly from the Russian guns and Minie rifle fire. His account includes the statement that 'R.S.M. Bull and Trumpeters Smith and Keates had their horses killed or wounded'. This appears to confirm, independently, our Trumpeter Smith's participation and the loss of his horse, in the charge.
The Charge of the Light Brigade was over, and the great figures soon became household names, but the N.C.O.s and men, as individuals, were as soon forgotten. As a matter of record, Troop Sergeant Major Loy Smith retired at Brighton two or three years later, whilst Sergeant-Major Bentley, also of the Eleventh (whose life had been saved at Balaclava by the immense Lieutenant Dunn, who was awarded the Victoria Cross) served on for twelve years as a Drill-Instructor to the Wiltshire Yeomanry, completing thirty-seven years' service.
Our Trumpeter, William Smith, was eventually posted to the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Cavalry as Permanent Staff Trumpeter and it was in this county that he spent the remaining years of his army service and his life, having added to his collection the very controversial Turkish Crimean medal and the much honoured Long Service and Good Conduct medal.
Even in the present days of rapid change, Knutsford is a pleasant place, friendly, historically interesting and picturesque. Knutsford became the spiritual home of generations of Cheshire Yeoman when, in 1803, a general meeting of the officers of the regiment at the George Inn (now the Royal George Hotel) resolved that should be the place for a general muster of the whole regiment in a sudden emergency.
A leading local historian is Alderman Thomas, whose family has lived in Knutsford for generations and whose wife's ancestor came to the town in 1740 as master-mason for the building of the parish church.
Due largely to the Alderman's keen interest and knowledge, it is now possible to piece together something of the Trumpet-Major's personality and place in the community. Of good appearance, the Trumpet-major was a great attraction in those days of self-made entertainment.
As well as being the manager and steward of a club in Tauten Street he was a "must" at all the many gatherings in the district, and where he had recited the "Battle of Balaclava" composed by himself.
On such occasions he probably wore his uniform, his many medals with their clasps on which were engraved breath-taking battle names and almost certainly sounded the "Charge" for his thrilled listeners. He was particularly popular at the Penny Readings which were held in the National Girl's School in Tauten Street,
It may well be that Trumpet-Major Smith did sound the 'Charge' at Balaclava, — no one can positively deny it — although there are many others who claimed the distinction.
In the telling and re-telling, his listeners 'wished' the 'Charge' sounding claim on him, though the simple fact that he was a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade should have been sufficient.
In all events, adopted friend, being top entertainment value, did much good in the district. The local people loved him. But the doubt still exists in, as in official quarters, as to the 'Charge' claim.
Until he died, Smith lived in Freeholder's Terrace, Love Lane, His death certificate shows no house number and describes the area as Inferior. There is no doubt whatsoever that William Smith became a part of and he was held in high esteem both here and in other parts of the county.
Although he had to retire about 1876 due to the withdrawal of Trumpet-Majors for the Yeomanry he remained in as Court-Crier to the Courts of Quarter Session at and Chester.
At some time in the 1870s a wandering artist lodged with Mr. Harman, the Bell-Hanger and persuaded the Trumpet-Major to have his portrait done in oils, free, on condition that it was placed on view outside of the bell-hanger's workshop in Tatton Street for several weeks. This was agreed and the portrait painted and stood for the allotted time on an easel outside of the shop.
As a result of the advertising the local butchers decided to have their portraits done, but whether the artist failed to receive as many commissions as were expected, or whether the price obtained from the butchers was too small, we do not know, but the fact remains that he refused to carry out his contract and the matter was settled by a half-a-crown raffle, which was won by the local breeches-maker, who later presented the portrait to the Trumpet-Major.
Years afterwards Alderman Beswick arranged for the picture to be hung in the local library, where it is to this day.
The week of the 15th November 1879, was a period of winds and gales over Cheshire. In Knutsford, William Smith, ex-Trumpet-Major of Yeomanry and survivor of the Light Brigade sat in his chair as the dying winds disturbed the night.
Was he once more in the glorious company of his comrades of the Eleventh Hussars and thundering, iron to iron, for the enemy guns?
He raised his glass and drank.
The verdict was 'Apoplexy accelerated by an overdose of laudanum poison whilst in a state of unsound mind.' He was 57 years of age. His death came as a shock to the people of Knutsford and even the newspapers of Chester and Manchester reported it referring briefly to his military record.
[PB: does quote end here?]
A Chester newspaper added the following testimonial:
"Mr Smith was much respected in Knutsford and his kindly efforts, so freely given for entertainment got up for good purposes in the town, will be much missed. A well-known Manchester newspaper ended its announcement of his suicide and military record with the words; "Mr. Smith was widely and favourably known in the County..."
William Smith of the Light Brigade sleeps in an unmarked grave in Knutsford Parish churchyard. It may be surprising to some that he is there at all, for popular belief was that people who died by their own hands were not usually received into the church or buried within its precincts.
However, owing to the friendliness of the vicar of that time, the Reverend Henry Barnacle, and in view of Trumpet-Major Smith's notable contributions to the welfare of the town, he was allowed a Christian burial.
It is to Knutsford's credit that this hero of Balaclava, after a century has passed, is still a subject of conversation.
But to such a town, which visitors find maintains a striking sense of balance between the historic and the very modern, after all, what is a century."
Extract from the Memoirs of R.S.M. George Loy Smith, published in 1987 under the title of A Victorian R.S.M. When telling of the "looting" of the carriages belonging to the Russians when at McKenzie's Farm — Amongst the baggage, too, was much silver plate. Trumpeter W. Smith of the 11th, who was on this day field trumpeter to Lord Lucan, secured a silver punch ladle, beautifully engraved. I have often heard him tell the following story:
[PB: The phrase "I have often heard him tell" implies Smith is being quoted by somebody else. But who? Where, then, does the enclosing quote begin?]
"As we were riding down the hill from McKenzie's Farm I took the ladle out of my holster to look at it.
One of Lord Lucan's aide-de-camps, passing at this moment, asked me to let him see it. He said, "I will show it to Lord Lucan" and galloped up to him. On seeing him afterwards, I asked him for it. He said Lord Lucan had kept it and had no doubt he would give me something for it.
About two months afterwards, having heard about Lord Lucan having been ordered home and that he was about leaving the encampment for embarkation, I made bold to go to him and ask if he would kindly make some remuneration for the punch ladle.
He flew into a great temper, ordering me away, saying he would have me flogged for plundering. However, he thought better of it, for he left five shillings to be handed to me — much to my annoyance, as I would rather have had the ladle."
This was rather sharp practice for the noble Earl, for he must have known that the officers first pillaged the baggage, then gave permission for the non-commissioned officers and men to take anything they chose.
[PB: Check against original. Where does the quotation end?]
Further information
[PB: In January 2016, a "memorial card" was on sale on ebay. There was no indication when the card was printed, or its precise function. The seller says it is "an original genuine memorial card from the funeral of William Smith", but it must postdate this ("and
WILLIAM SMITH MEMORIAL CARD
11th Hussars Light Brigade Charger Memorial Card — RARE
http://www.ebay.co. uk/itm/11th-Hussars-Light-Brigade-Charger-Memorial-Card-RARE-/121853292043
(On sale for US $219.00 = Approximately £148.59)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Every now and again I somehow manage to find something that little bit special. This lot is a real cracker. It is an original genuine memorial card from the funeral of William Smith. I must admit I did not know any of the story of William until I did a bit of research on the web. As the card states he was in the 11th Hussars and was in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. The card measures approx 4 1/2 x 3 inches and is in great condition.
Below is some information on William's incredible life story.
Trumpet Major William Smith lived in Knutsford after his years of military service which included Afghan Wars and the Crimea. He was a trumpeter in the Charge of the Light Brigade. Each troop would have had their own trumpeter so he was not unique. There are even doubts that the order to charge was ever given!
He and his wife lived on Stanley Road (in his day called Love Lane) where the house still has a plaque commemorating him. I wonder if the school you remember was Miss Brydons? This was a few minutes walk away from Smith's house.
The plaque outside Smith's home records that he sounded the charge at Balaclava, but, as with everything concerning that event, controversy has raged. Various claimants were put forward, by themselves or others, but it is usually accepted that no official charge was sounded, all was chaos, each troop had a trumpeter and Smith was certainly there with his trumpet.
Until the 1930's the mouthpiece of this was still to be seen in Knutsford. A letter from T. Edwards of 10 Heathfield Square read "I may also add that I have in my possession a mouth-piece given to my father by Trumpet-Major Smith who told him it was the same on that the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava was blown". Another correspondent added, "I remember him well. Of good appearance and address he mostly appeared wearing a fancy waistcoat. He was respected by everyone".
THE BALACLAVA BANQUET
Twenty one years after The Charge of The Light Brigade a commemorative banquet was held at The Alexandra Palace in London. The invitation brought back memories for Smith and he replied :-
'I write to inform you that another old 'cherry picker'. [The 'cherry pickers' was a nickname for the 11th Hussars to which Smith transferred when volunteering for the Crimean War.] intends putting in an appearance, your old chum, Bill Smith from the 3rd Light Dragons. You will remember the night you carried me to hospital with bowel complaint; if you forget it, I never shall.'
Perhaps he was cared for by Florence Nightingale during his spell in hospital, as army records show him 'sick at Scutari' for five weeks. Smith continued his letter to The Balaclava Commemoration Committee: 'But now, old boy, what about this banquet? I intend coming. Paying all expenses or not. If I can get my expenses railway free, well and good, of not, that will not keep me from once more coming up to London to shake hands with my dear old brother comrades of the Six Hundred'.
The Guardian (16th October, 1875) commented:
'This gallant soldier, who served 15 years in India, had his horse shot from under him in The Valley of Death, and was hurt from the animal falling upon him, but still found time to bind up a wound in the thigh which one of his comrades had received and bought him safely out of the field'
Smith's 'portrait' does not appear in this 'gallery' from The London Illustrated News but that of Major-General Rodolph de Salis is there. He was the brother of Lady de Tabley of Tabley House, near Knutsford; preserved in the archives is the telegram sent to her by the War minister and also Salis' own sketch of the battle field .
WILLIAM SMITH'S MILITARY SERVICE
Joined 3rd Light Dragoons, January 1839, aged 16. Served in: the Afghan War (1842) present at battles of Kabul, Ghaznar and Khandahar the First Sikh War (1845/6) the Second Sikh War (1848/9) the Crimean War, aswell as the battles of Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava and Sebastopol. He was awarded long service and good conduct medals making a total of six medals and eight clasps.
WILLIAM SMITH IN KNUTSFORD
WILLIAM SMITH came to Knutsford after his discharge from the army having served 25 years and 16 days, which earned him a gratuity of £5! He came to serve with The Cheshire Yeomanry as Trumpet Major.
He became a noted figure in the town, much appreciated as an entertainer at concerts, penny readings and various functions:- The Guardian for February 11 1865 reported
'A Society for Readings, Music and Lectures has been formed at The Old Assembly Rooms, The Royal George'
The programme included a song by Mr W Smith, as did the dinner held to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone of the new Grand Stand on the Heath in March 1866. His star turn was the recitation of his own poem written after the charge of the Light Brigade. His martial bearing made him an impressive figure as crier to the Court of Quarter Sessions.
When a travelling artist arrived in Knutsford, Trumpet Major Smith presented an ideal subject to exhibit his skill with the brush. A commission for portraits by the local butchers ended with arguments and the Smith picture was raffled.
SAD END OF A BALACLAVA HERO
Smith does not seem to have attended the 25th anniversary Balaclava dinner in October 1879 and a month later he died in sad circumstances. It seems he was addicted to laudanum which he took as cough mixture, he also had drinking bouts — 'going on the spree' in his soldier's fashion. This combination led to depression. It is clear from the evidence at the coroner's enquiry that he deliberately took an overdose having first paid off his small debts about the town. As a much loved and admired town character he was buried in the graveyard of St John's The Baptist Church despite the suicide verdict. No gravestone marked the place.
In 1991 this omission was rectified when the War Graves Commission provided a gravestone which was paid for by The 11th Hussar regiment and funds collected by friends and military history enthusiasts.
[ebay.co. uk/itm/11th-Hussars-Light-Brigade-Charger-Memorial-Card-RARE-/121853292043 (accessed 3.1.2016).]
References & acknowledgements
Census information for 1871 and William Smith's registration of death kindly provided by Chris Poole.