1608, Private William Henry SPRING — 11th Hussars

Usually referred to as "Tom" Spring. Possible real name "William Pilkington".

Birth & early life

William Spring, whose reputed real name was Pilkington, was known in the regiment as "Tom" Spring.

As "William (or Tom) Spring"

Born in London.

A William Henry Spring was born on the 2nd of October 1831 and christened in All Soul's Church, Marylebone, on the 25th of October 1831, the son of William and Eliza Ann Spring.

The address given was 83, Gt. Portland Street, and William Spring senior's occupation was shown as "Trade".

Robinson's London Directory for 1833 shows him in business as a "House Decorator" at this address, in 1835 also as a "Plumber" at the same address. In 1837 and 1839 a "Wm. Spring" was in business as a "Plumber, Painter and Decorator" at 48, Gt. Portland Street.

However, thatfor 1840 shows no trace of him, and the 1841 Census shows no one of that surname living at this address. (See later comment as to his next-of-kin.)

As "William Pilkington"

As William Pilkington, he is said by Lummis and Wynn (in their Honour the Light Brigade) to have enlisted into the 10th Foot (Lincolnshire Regiment) in November 1853, transferred to the 17th Lancers, and then deserted to the 11th Hussars. But no trace of this can be found, and he seems to have enlisted into the 11th in the normal manner on the date shown.

A "William Pilkington" and born (according to the muster rolls) in the parish of St. Ann's, Bolton (a check of the baptismal register for St. Anne's, Turton, in the ancient parish of Bolton, shows for the 11th of November 1833 — Son. (no name given) of John Pilkington, a weaver, and his wife, Mary, of Entwistle, being one of four recorded sons.) He had enlisted into the 17th Lancers at Newbridge as No. 1059, on the 2nd of December 1850, aged 18, 5' 8," in height, and a clerk by trade.

He was absent 1st-17th of September, and in Fort Clarence Military Prison 18th October — 29th of November 1851. Again absent 28th of April — 2nd of June 1852 and in "Garrison cells" 3rd-24th of June 1852.

He deserted from Hounslow on the 10th of September 1853 and was shown as a "Deserter" from that date. No further trace to 1865.

A check of the muster rolls from 1848-53 shows no trace of anyone by the name of Pilkington ever having served in the 10th Foot.

In 1972 an author researching for a book on the Crimean campaign claimed to have found a note in the P.R.O. in Lord Cardigan's handwriting said to refer to Spring and stating quite plainly that he was a deserter from the 17th Lancers. This fact having been discovered, on his return from being a prisoner of war in Russia he had been returned to the 17th Lancers as "punishment". [PB: who was this author? where is this note now? was it transcribed? published?]

However, no trace of this can be found in the muster-rolls of either regiment.

The pattern of conduct of William Henry Spring while serving in the 11th Hussars seems remarkably similar to that of William Pilkington when in the 17th Lancers, and their age and height would correspond during the period of time in question, as well as there being only a short time gap of some ten weeks between Pilkington's known desertion date and Spring's enlistment. Their trades on enlistment, and stated place of birth, though, do not.

[PB: A number of recent accounts, e.g. Roy Dutton's in Forgotten Heroes and the info supplied by DNW for the sale of Spring's medals in 2002, take for granted that he was William Pilkington.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Dublin on the 21st of November 1853.

Age: 21.

Height: 5' 8".

Trade: None shown.

Service

He is wrongly reported in the Casualty Lists as "Killed at Balaclava".

At this time [?] he was shown as born in London, a chemist and druggist, and his next-of-kin as his uncle, John Spring, living in Liverpool. He had 11/- in his "credits"

In fact, he was taken prisoner of war at Balaklava, 25th October 1854, where he is said to have received eleven wounds, his horse also being killed under him.

In one of his books [reference?], 1631 William Pennington states:

"Private Spring fell with his horse after passing through the battery, but was totally unable to extricate himself, his foot being caught in the stirrup, which was overpressed by his horse's dead body.

He later explained that his sword was discoloured with blood at the time, and this may have aroused the anger of his assailant, a Russian officer whom he thought was of high rank, who fired every chamber of his revolver at him.

Any one of those bullets would have proved fatal but for the resistance offered by the woollen padding of his Hussar jacket."

[PB: Tom Spring's capture (which occurred at much the same time as Nathan Henry's) is reported at greater length in another of William Pennington's accounts of the Charge. It is worth describing the context at some length.]

As I stood for the moment "perplexed in the extreme" with "the bullets still making dust spots on the green" (for the wound in my leg was bleeding somewhat freely), and was scrutinizing the ground in every direction, with intense and anxious gaze, I observed on my right front several parties of the enemy's lancers engaged in the cruel and cowardly work of maltreating and murdering some of our dismounted men. One man of my own regiment, whose face was streaming with blood (I knew him to be one of ours by the colour of his overalls), was, in his wounded condition, which might have evoked the pity of the hardest heart, ruthlessly attacked and slain by some half-dozen of these butchers. The wretches were at no considerable distance from me.

I was also collected enough to observe with more distinctiveness, another man of the 11th left dismounted and unarmed. Nathan Henry had lost his sword, and was of course quite at the mercy of these fiends; but, in his case, from some unexplained cause, they desisted from their murderous practice, and made him a prisoner. I think it is probable that the appearance of an officer may have acted upon these ruffians as a deterrent; for I believe there were but few cases in which the enemy evinced unnecessary harshness when their officers were present.

Tom Spring of ours, who was taken prisoner, however, had a cruel experience, which must be quoted as an exception to this rule; and I have only lately heard the story from Tom's own lips, with feelings of burning indignation.

He fell with his horse after passing through the battery; and was unable to extricate his foot from one of his stirrup-irons, which was overpressed by his horse's dead body. He explained that his sword at this time was discoloured with blood, and that this

[199]

sight may have kindled the cruel ire of his assailant. But a Russian officer (Tom thought of high rank), descrying him in the plight I have shewn, in the most dastardly manner fired every chamber of his revolver at the prostrate and helpless hussar. It was only a month or two ago Tom shewed me the deep indentations from these bullets directed at his breast; any one of which would doubtless have proved fatal, but for the resistance offered by the woollen padding of his hussar jacket.

[Source: Mrs Tom Kelly, From the fleet in the fifties, a history of the Crimean War with which is incorporated letters written in 1854-56 by the Reverend S. Kelson Stothert London: Hurst and Blackett Ltd, 1902, pp.198-9.]

[PB: A DNW auction catalogue, 20 September 2002, quotes Spring (no source).]

'I rode in the centre of the 2nd Squadron front rank. When halted, after passing the guns, I heard Colonel Douglas call out, "What are we to do now Lord Paget?," he replied, "Where is Lord Cardigan?" I did not see Lord Paget either then or at any subsequent period. We pursued the Russian cavalry to the bottom of the valley. When returning after passing the lancers my horse was killed and I was made prisoner. Colonel Douglas was the only officer we received any order from, he alone commanded us.'

[Source: http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?auction_id=42&lot_id=32119 (accessed 3.12.2015). The full notes from the auction catalogue are shown below. What is the original source?]/p>

From the Weekly Dispatch, 16th of October 1904:

How they charged — One of the gallant survivors tells his story — Worth 20 Russians.

...Mr. Spring's story of the Charge as told to the writer and his fortunes since he left the Army is a series of vivid pictures of an eventful life. "Do I remember that morning! As though it were only yesterday. The Russians were trying to force a passage to the harbour to get possession of the food and ships. They overwhelmed the Turks in the first, second and third redoubts, but the 93rd Highlanders soon checked their rush, with a heavy volley. Six hundred and seventy-two men had been got together at the top of the valley."

The Fateful Order — "Captain Nolan brought an order — what it was has always been a mystery. A verbal order was given to us to walk, and then trot.

The Russians opened fire, but we never wavered, riding steadily down to them.

Captain Nolan was killed, and in another minute we were fighting for our lives. I had sabred several Cossacks, when my horse was shot under me. At the same time a bullet entered my temple; I also received two lance wounds in the hip, another in my spine, and yet another at the base of my throat.

Despite everything, I was conscious, but my dead horse was pinning me to the ground. Then a Polish sergeant took me prisoner, and as such I remained for 12 months. I was kept in a hut on the battlefield for two days, then marched many hundreds of miles with many others, up-country.

The Russians treated me very well, and on the first anniversary of the Charge exchanged me for twenty Russian prisoners. That was the value of a British soldier in those days, and the common rate of exchange."

Spring rejoined the regiment from Russian captivity on the 26th of October 1855, and was tried by a Regimental Court-martial on the 1st of November 1855 for "being absent without leave for 12 months", but was found "Not Guilty."

He was paid arrears of ration pay at 3d per day.

Shown as "On Detached duty" for the November-December musters. January, as "On Guard," and February, as "Canteen Duty.

Absent, 11th-22nd of November 1856. He was tried by Regimental court martial and confined in a Military Prison 22nd of November — 11th of February 1857.

Absent, 5th of August — 22nd of September 1858. In the Guard Room, 23rd September, in a Prison Hospital 24th of September — 27th of October, and again in a Military Prison (Aldershot) until the 3rd of January 1859.

Absent, 6th-27th of June [year?]. In the Guard Room, 28th June, Prison Hospital 29th of June — 4th of August, Guard Room, 5th-8th of August, Prison Hospital, 9th-25th, Guard Room, 26th-27th August, Prison Hospital, 29 August — 3rd of September.

On being convicted of "Desertion", he was in a Military Prison 1st of October — 26th of December [1858?]. (At this time he was shown as having been born in London, a "Chemist and Druggist" by trade. His next of kin was his uncle, John Spring, living in Liverpool.)

In Cells, 30th of January 1859 — 2nd of February 1859, and again 8th-11th of March 1859.

Absent, 28th of August — 25th of December 1861 [presumably 1860?], and shown as "Struck off" from the 25th of August 1861 [1860?] (Regiment at Manchester). In the Guard Room, 25th-31st of December, [1860? and where?] to 11th of February 1861 [?].

He had been convicted of "Desertion" by a G.C.M on the 8th of January 1861 and sentenced to two years' imprisonment (with hard labour), given 50 lashes, and to be branded with the letter "D".

[PB, April 2014: It would be good to clarify the precise years and the sequence above. The above says "had been convicted". So when/where/why exactly had he deserted? Was this after he had been convicted? Had he escaped?]

He was in a Military Prison from the 12th of January to the 24th of April 1862, Prisoner on board ship, on the 25th (for the voyage to Ireland), and in a Military Prison again until the 5th of January 1863

Discharge & pension

Discharged, as a "Bad character", from Cahir Barracks, Ireland, on the 15th of January 1863. His place of birth of birth was then simply shown as "Middlesex." He had only 15 days of his service "to count" when discharged.

Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.

Findings of his General Court-martial.

No.1068 Private William Henry Spring, 11 Hussars, tried by General Court- Martial at Manchester on the 4th of January 1861.

Charges

First — for having deserted from the 11th Hussars at Manchester on or about the 28th of August 1860 and for not having returned until being brought back under escort on or about the 25th of December 1860.

Second — for having on or about the period of his desertion, as stated in the First Charge, made away with, or lost through neglect, the following articles, of his regimental clothing and necessaries, two shirts, one flannel vest, one pair of drawers, one pair of socks, one pair of gloves. two sponges, one cloth brush. one hair-comb, one knife, one hoof-picker, one button-stick, one tin of blacking, one tin of brass paste, one pair of boots, one pair of ankle boots, and one mess-tin and strap.

Opinion

The court having maturely considered the evidence in support of the prosecution together with what the prisoner has urged in his defence, are of the opinion that in regard to the First Charge, that he, the prisoner, No. 1608 William Henry Spring, 11th Hussars, is Guilty and with regard to the Second Charge, that he the prisoner, No 1068 William Henry Spring, 11th Hussars, is Guilty.

Sentence

The Court having found the prisoner Guilty of both the Charges preferred against him as being in breach of the Articles of War and taking into consideration his being in the Second Class, his general very bad character and his former convictions. do now sentence him the prisoner, No. 1608 Private William Henry Smith [PB: EJB says "Smith", but presumably "Spring"], 11th Hussars, to undergo imprisonment (with hard labour) for a period of two years and to be placed under stoppages in accordance with the 113th Article of War until the articles specified in the Second Charge be made good, and further, to be marked with the letter "D" in accordance with the 26th Clause of the Mutiny Act.

The Judge Advocate-General humbly submitted to Her Majesty to approve and confirm the findings and sentence of the Court.

"Horse Guards,

6th February 1861.

Sir, — Having had the honour to lay before Her Majesty the Queen the proceedings of the General Court-martial held at Hulme Barracks, Manchester on the 4th of January 1861 for the trial of 1608 Private William Henry Spring, 11th Hussars, who was arraigned on the under mentioned Charges [Here follows the charges as previously detailed.] and upon which Charges the Court came to the following decisions. [Findings and sentence as before detailed.] I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty was pleased to approve and confirm the findings and sentence of the Court and to command that the sentence be carried into effect. You will therefore be pleased to take the necessary steps accordingly and to inform the Military Secretary for my information the day on which the sentence be made known to the prisoner.

(Signed) Major General Sir George Weatherall, G.C.B.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol.

Further detailed medal information archived.

Commemorations

Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877 and 1879.

Signed the Loyal Address to the Queen in 1887.

Attended the Annual Dinners in 1890, 1894, 1897, 1899, 1906, 1910, and 1911.

He appears in a photograph taken after the 1890 Dinner. (See copy in the 11th Hussar file.)

Extract from the Illustrated Bits, written by T.H. Roberts in June 1897:

"I found this man in great want and at once made him some temporary help. After examining his papers and enquiries duly made I sent for him and found him an active, workman-like man. Enquiries as to his circumstances showed that his last regular employment — and his discharge papers from this showed him as "sober, industrious and hard-working", was at London's Olympia in 1895. Since then he had lived by pawning everything that belonged to him, the last to go being his wife's wedding ring. But as the poor woman "is nearly blind in both eyes, the loss of the ring is no great moment."

Spring told me that he was invited to a review of Army veterans in aid of the Soldier's Children's and Orphans' House, but he added — "I can't go, Sir, for they told me I must bring my medals" and I wrote back to the Secretary, Colonel Gilda, that I couldn't wear them as I had to pawn them last October to buy bread."

"And what did they do," I asked.

"Sent me this letter," he replied, handing me an official letter in which he was told that "if he hadn't got his medals then he could not attend."

Well, what officialdom would not do, I did. Spring duly attended the show, wore his medals, and was inspected by the Prince."

He was one of the survivors present in Fleet Street for the Coronation parade of King George the Fifth in July of 1911.

From the Weekly Dispatch, 16th of October 1904:

How they charged — One of the gallant survivors tells his story — Worth 20 Russians.

The contrast between the gallantry of the imperishable act, and vicissitudes attending the later career of the actors cannot be described better perhaps, than in an account of an interview given during the past week to a representative of the Weekly Dispatch.

Mr. Spring is now 76. The old fellow is as upright a man as he was 50 years ago. His hair is perfectly white, and he is in good health apart from the fact that an accident to his ankle has practically kept him a prisoner in his residence for nearly three years and he spends most of his time looking out of the window. His apartment is scrupulously clean, but one glance can detect the occupant is very poor, but very proud.

Mr. Spring's story of the Charge as told to the writer and his fortunes since he left the Army is a series of vivid pictures of an eventful life. "Do I remember that morning! As though it were only yesterday. The Russians were trying to force a passage to the harbour to get possession of the food and ships. They overwhelmed the Turks in the first, second and third redoubts, but the 93rd Highlanders soon checked their rush, with a heavy volley. Six hundred and seventy-two men had been got together at the top of the valley."

The Fateful Order — "Captain Nolan brought an order — what it was has always been a mystery. A verbal order was given to us to walk, and then trot.

The Russians opened fire, but we never wavered, riding steadily down to them.

Captain Nolan was killed, and in another minute we were fighting for our lives. I had sabred several Cossacks, when my horse was shot under me. At the same time a bullet entered my temple; I also received two lance wounds in the hip, another in my spine, and yet another at the base of my throat.

Despite everything, I was conscious, but my dead horse was pinning me to the ground. Then a Polish sergeant took me prisoner, and as such I remained for 12 months. I was kept in a hut on the battlefield for two days, then marched many hundreds of miles with many others, up-country.

The Russians treated me very well, and on the first anniversary of the Charge exchanged me for twenty Russian prisoners. That was the value of a British soldier in those days, and the common rate of exchange."

Mr Spring was originally a chemist. He left the Army in 1863 and became an actor. He played the hero's part in the well known military drama, "In the Ranks," and fulfilled a twelve-month engagement at Olympia. He had also acted with Mr. Cyril Maude. As he got older and engagements harder to get, Mr. Spring was forced to take a situation as a theatrical dresser. Even at the last, that too failed, and today, friendless and alone in the world, he sits at his bedroom window, and waits for the end."

[PB: note, incidentally, Spring's emphasis that there were verbal (not trumpeted) orders to walk and then trot: "The Russians opened fire, but we never wavered, riding steadily down to them." In his recollection it seems there was no Charge.

"In the Ranks, or A Soldier's Wife" was first performed 1883. Is this the play he is said to have acted in? Might be worth following up. As yet, I haven't been able to find out much about it, but there might be more leads here:

• Kerry Powell, The Cambridge Companion to Victorian and Edwardian Theatre, CUP, 2004 (https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=x7MZBAAAQBAJ [p.160])
• Princeton University Library (http://findingaids.princeton.edu/collections/TC011/c436).
• See ref. to George Robert Sims in Joanne Shattock, The Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature: 1800-1900: "Performed at the Adel[phi] Oct 1883. Written with H.A. Pettit. Home Lib of Powerful Dramatic Tales. Novelisation by Henry Llewellyn Williams."

• Listed in Samuel Halkett, Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous English Literature, Volume 3, which says there's a copy of the novel (1886) in the British Library.

Likenesses

He appears in a photograph taken after the 1890 and 1906 Dinners (copy in the 11th Hussar file).

Photograph of survivors taken at Olympia, 1890, where he is listed as no.16, "W H Spring".

[PB: Make an enlargement.]

(Click on image to enlarge)

Annual Dinner, 25th October, 1906

Tom Spring is in the second row, 2nd from the right. [CHECK. NB this is a fairly low-resolution image. It would be good to find and substitute a better one.]

(Click on image to enlarge)

Life after service

[PB, April 2014: There is little in the archive on his life after service. But see above.]

"Mr Spring was originally a chemist. He left the Army in 1863 and became an actor. He played the hero's part in the well known military drama, In the Ranks, and fulfilled a twelve-month engagement at Olympia. He had also acted with Mr. Cyril Maude. As he got older and engagements harder to get, Mr. Spring was forced to take a situation as a theatrical dresser. Even at the last, that too failed, and today, friendless and alone in the world, he sits at his bedroom window, and waits for the end."

[Source?]

[PB: Notice this intriguing cutting (supplied by Chris Poole), referring to his career as a theatre dresser, from the Dundee Evening Telegraph, 8th of April 1893. I wonder when he returned home, and whether this was reported?]

Tom Spring goes missing in London, April 1893, as reported in Dundee.

(Click on image to enlarge)

A SURVIVOR OF THE SIX HUNDRED MISSING

SUSPECTED FOUL PLAY

An application was made to Sir John Bridge at Bow Street yesterday by a woman named Spring, living in New Kent Road. She stated that her husband, who was employed as a dresser at the Opera Comique Theatre, left home on Tuesday morning, and had not since returned. She had ascertained that he was on duty at the theatre on Tuesday night, and was sent out on an errand. he never returned, and she was afraid that he had met with foul play. They had had no quarrel, and there was no reason why he should have left home.

Sir John Bridge directed the police to circulate a description of the man. Mrs Spring describes her husband as being 5 feet 10 inches in height, 64 years of age, and wearing a suit of dark clothes. She states that he served in the 11th Hussars and 17th Lancers, and is one of the survivors of the gallant Six Hundred who took part in the Balaclava charge.

[Source: Dundee Evening Telegraph, 8th of April 1893. Similar articles appeared in the London Daily News, 8th of April, and Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 9th of April.

Lloyd's adds that he lived at 24 Currie Street, New Kent Road.]

EJB: He is known to have lived at 12, Boyson Road, Camberwell, London (where he died).

He also lived at 5, Cheney [PB: Cheyne?] Walk, London, at some time.

Death & burial

Died on the 20th of August 1912 at 12, Boyson Road, Camberwell, London, aged 84 years. (He also lived at 5, Cheney [PB: Cheyne?] Walk, London, at some time.)

His death certificate shows that he died in Southwark Infirmary on the 20th of August, 1912, aged 84 years, Calling or trade, unknown, of 12, Boyson Road, Camberwell, from "Senile Decay." A H. W. Bruce, Superintendent of the Infirmary, East Dulwich, was the informant of his death. i

(There is a copy of his death certificate in the 11th Hussars "Certificates" file.)

From the South London Press, 30th of August 1912:

"The remains of the late Mr. William Henry Spring, aged 84 years, were interred on Saturday last at Streatham Park Cemetery. The deceased, a Balaclava veteran, originally served in the 17th Lancers, but at the time of his retirement was in the 11th Hussars. He wore a medal bearing the names of Inkerman [sic], Balaclava and the Alma, and was one of the few survivors of the celebrated Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.

He had his horse shot under him, received eleven wounds, and was for twelve months a prisoner in Russian hands. Thousands of people witnessed the start of the cortege from Boyson Road at half-past two o'clock.

A military escort was provided, a firing-party fired three volleys over the grave and the "Last Post" was sounded by a trumpeter. The mourners were Mrs. Jane Spring (widow), Mr. T.H. Roberts, Mr. J. Jones [son of 1349, Sergeant William Jones, 4th Light Dragoons, who died a week later and was buried in the same grave] and Mr. Mahey."

Lummis and Wynn state that a memorial was erected over the grave of these two men in 1913, but according to the Cemetery authorities this does not exist.

They also state that the grave which contains both Spring and Jones was allocated especially for those men who took part in the Balaclava Charge, but the others (three in number) named in the records as having been buried there cannot be identified with any known survivors. It can only be assumed, therefore, that this is a "common" grave space. The grave is numbered 2214 Square 8.

There is a photograph of his grave area in Streatham Park Cemetery in the 11th Hussar file. (In front of the tree in the centre of the picture.) This picture dispels the story of the monument said to have been erected over his grave and that of William Jones of the 4th Light Dragoons, who was buried with him.

Extract from the United Services Gazette for the 14th September 1912:

"11th Hussars — Ex-Corporal W. H. Spring (or Pilkington) died last week at Streatham. aged 84. The funeral took place at Streatham Cemetery, a party from the regiment carrying the body to the grave and members of the National Reserve firing a salute. Mr. Spring first enlisted in the Lincolnshire Regiment, transferred to the 17th Lancers and subsequently in this regiment.

He fought at Sebastopol and the Alma and took part in the Charge at Balaclava, in which he was wounded in eleven places and his horse falling on him, was captured and confined by the Russians for 12 months, at the end of which he was exchanged for 20 Russians — the then current rate of exchange.

He left the Army in 1855 [sic]. Mr. T.H. Roberts (the originator of the Balaclava Survivors' Fund) discovered the veteran living in penury in 1906 and had maintained him and his wife since then."

Further information

[PB: His medals were auction by DNW, 20 September 2002.]

A fine Light Brigade pair to Lance-Corporal W. H. 'Tom' Spring, 11th Hussars, wounded and taken prisoner in the Charge

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Sebastopol, Balaklava, Alma (Lce.-Crpl. W. H. Spring, 11th Hussars) officially impressed naming, clasps fitted in order listed; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed, contained in an old case together with an original newspaper portrait, some nicks and surface bruises, otherwise very fine.

Footnote: Ex Mackenzie (1914) and Needes Collections.

William Henry Pilkington was born in London in 1828. He enlisted into the Lincolnshire Regiment on 21 November 1853, in the name of Spring, by which name he was known for the rest of his life and to his regimental comrades as 'Tom' Spring. He transferred to the 17th Lancers and then to the 11th Hussars in December 1853. Spring rode in the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava, was wounded (some accounts say he received no less than 11 wounds) and taken prisoner. Private Pennington of the 11th Hussars later described the fate that befell Tom Spring on the 25th October 1854:

'He fell with his horse after passing through the battery; and was unable to extricate his foot from one of his sturrup-irons, which was overpressed by his horse's dead body. He explained at this time that his sword was discoloured with blood, and that this sight may have kindled the cruel ire of his assailant. But a Russian officer (Tom thought of high rank) descrying him in the plight I have shewn, in the most dastardly manner fired every chamber of his revolver at the prostrate and helpless Hussar. It was only a month or two ago Tom showed me the deep indentation from these bullets directed at his breast; any one of which would doubtless have proved fatal, but for the resistance offered by the woollen padding of his hussar jacket.'

In a statement made some years later, Spring recalled: 'I rode in the centre of the 2nd Squadron front rank. When halted, after passing the guns, I heard Colonel Douglas call out, "What are we to do now Lord Paget?," he replied, "Where is Lord Cardigan?" I did not see Lord Paget either then or at any subsequent period. We pursued the Russian cavalry to the bottom of the valley. When returning after passing the lancers my horse was killed and I was made prisoner. Colonel Douglas was the only officer we received any order from, he alone commanded us.'

Spring remained a prisoner of the Russians for twelve months, undergoing even worse privations than before, until he was exchanged in October 1855 for 20 Russians, that being the current rate of exchange. He was discharged from the army on 16 January 1863.

Tom Spring became an active Light Brigade veteran and, in later years, received substantial financial aid from the T.H. Roberts Survivors Relief Fund. He joined the Balaklava Commemoration Society in 1879 and signed the Loyal Address to Queen Victoria on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in June 1887. He appears in many photographs of Light Brigade Veterans, including the Diamond Jubilee Reunion photograph of 1897, and attended the Annual Reunion Dinner in 1890, 1894, 1897, 1899, 1906, 1909, 1910 and 1911. He was one of four survivors on parade in Fleet Street for the Coronation of King George V in June 1911.

Tom Spring died at Camberwell, London, on 20 August 1912, and is buried in Streatham Cemetery in the same grave as another survivor, Sergeant William Jones of the 4th Light Dragoons. A monument to both men was erected by the Balaklava Memorial Fund [PB: almost certainly not].

[Source: http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?auction_id=42&lot_id=32119 (accessed 3.12.2015).]/p>