Born at Woodley, near Dudley, Worcestershire.
[RM: "Woodley" is thought to be Wordsley, which is in the same area as Brierley Hill (as is Kingswinford, another place he lived) - all being localities of Dudley.]
Enlisted at Birmingham on the 22nd of May 1847.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Shoe-maker.
Features: Sallow complexion. Grey eyes. Light brown hair.
Discharged from Dublin on the 30th of April 1857:
"On the Reduction of the Army and not likely to become an efficient soldier. This man is weakly and delicate and totally unfit for further service from a broken-down constitution caused by military service and not the result of his indulgence in the use of intoxicating liquors or other vices. Conduct in hospital - Good."
He had a total of 24 entries on his conduct sheet, ranging from "being absent without leave from his quarters", to "Being drunk on duty", "Overstaying his leave when on pass", and being "Insubordinate to N.C.O's."
He was found drunk in the French Camp in the Crimea on one occasion in 1855.
Served 9 years 11 months.
Conduct: "Fair." Not in possession of any Good Conduct badges.
Aged 29 years on discharge.
Granted a pension of 6d. per day for a period of 18 months. He was living in the Dudley Pension District during this time.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol and theTurkish medal.
His discharge documents confirm the award of the Crimean medal with four clasps and the Turkish Medal.
1881 Census
46, Cottage Street, Kingswinford, Stafford.
As "Edward Trueman", he is shown as aged 52, a General Labourer, born in Brierley Hill, Stafford.
His wife is shown as Matilda, aged 48, also born Brierley Hill.
There are five children: Benjamin 19, Matilda 16, Harriet 13, Henry 8, and Margaret 4.
The whole family were born in Brierley Hill.
He is named variously as Trowman, Troman, Trueman and Truman, at different periods and on various muster rolls.
An "Edward Truman" [sic] of the 17th Lancers is shown on a list signed dated the 6th of February 1897 by a Colonel Young of the Royal Patriotic Fund as receiving a pension or allowance from the Fund.
He wrote to Mr. T.H. Roberts from No. 7 (or 7a.) Arthur Street, Knightsbridge, London, when in reply to the invitation sent to attend the Jubilee celebrations in June of 1897:
"Sir, In reply to your letter of the 24th of April inst., I write now to say that I will accept your kind invitation to view the Royal Procession. I will not be able to come to your office by myself, so please be good enough to send your representative to help me, as I suffer very much from lumbago in the back. The pain has nearly doubled me up and I stoop very much. Hoping that we shall have a fine day,
I am Sir,
Yours faithfully and respectfully,
Edward Truman, late of the 17th Lancers. Crimean medal and four bars, also the Turkish medal. "
EJB: The fact of Mr Roberts having written to him in the first instance may have been prompted by the fact that his name was on a list of Balaclava survivors receiving aid from the Patriotic Fund that was supplied to Mr. Roberts when he first tried to contact "Charge" survivors, and was one of eight other men who were written to, but whose claim was not proven, or at least he is not shown on the list of those who were invited to actually attend as his guests.
However, evidence reinforcing Truman's possible participation in the Charge comes from two letters found in a "Scrapbook" formerly belonging to James W. Wightman of the 17th, and received whilst he was Secretary of the Balaclava Commemoration Society:
"Royal Commission of the Patriotic Fund.
53 Charing Cross,
London.
28th April 1896:
"Sir,
A Private Edward Truman, formerly 17th Lancers, has applied here for assistance from the Balaclava Light Brigade Relief Fund, stating he was in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
His name, however, does not appear on the Trust Deed or in the Confidential Book which was handed to this Commission showing the names of those who took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava.
I should feel greatly obliged if you would inform me whether this man is known to you as one having actually taken part in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Yours faithfully.
(Signed) S. Young, Colonel.
Secretary.
Mr. J.W. Wightman,
Fairlawn House,
Bollo Lane,
Chiswick."
"Royal Commission of the Patriotic Fund,
53 Charing Cross,
London.
4th May 1896:
"Dear Mr. Wightman,
I am obliged for your reply dated yesterday, to my enquiry as to Private Edward Truman, 17th Lancers, having ridden in the Balaclava Charge, and I hasten to send you Truman's address.
He has been in the St. George's Union, Fulham, from the 1st Sept. 94 till lately. He is now living at No. 47 Kinnerton Road, Knightsbridge,
I shall be much obliged if you will communicate to me the result of the visit you propose to make to him, for if he actually did ride in the Charge of the Light Brigade he might be helped from the Light Brigade Relief Fund, as he cannot get one of the Special Campaigns Pensions, having had under 10 years service.
Of course, if he did not ride in the Charge he cannot be relieved from the Fund.
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) S. Young, Colonel,
Secretary."
On the reverse of this last letter is an undated entry from Wightman:
"He (Truman) went into St. George's Union last Tuesday - April 28th 1896 and previously worked in Mayfair for over 18 years before he lodged at No 47 Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge. He joined the 17th Lancers at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, in 1847. Private Melrose was killed on his right, and Young, who rode on his left, was taken prisoner of war, and died at Simpheropol November 12th 1854 from his wounds. - Received a pension from the Patriotic Fund of one shilling per day. (Signed) J.W.W."