Service
Wendy Leahy:
JV embarked for India from England 27.6.1835 on the Morley, arriving Bombay 16.10.1835.
Embarked for England from India 6.11.1841, on the Repulse, arriving Gravesend 28.3.1842.
Marriage registered
Joseph Vick, married Elizabeth Sorrell, December Quarter 1846, Shoreditch.
Births registered
William Vick, June Quarter 1847, St George's Hanover Sq.
Nathaniel Vick, c. 1851, Ireland.
James Vick, June Quarter, 1852, Greenwich.
Alfred Stephen Vick, June Quarter 1854, Dorchester.
Samuel Vick, June Quarter 1860, Amesbury.
At Varna on the 20th of September 1854 and joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 4th of October.
[PB: See obituaries below for his experiences in the Charge. Summarise and check against other sources.]
A Memo was sent from the Adjutant General's Department dated the 21st of December 1855:
Headquarters,
Cavalry Division,
Scutari,
Sir, In compliance with the General Order dated Nov. 23rd 1855, the Non-Comd. Officers and Men mentioned in the margin have been recommended to act as Asst. Provosts of regiments. I have the honour to request that they may be appointed in General Orders.
I have the honour, etc. etc.,
J. Lawrenson, Major General.
Then follows (among others) the names of Corporal Joseph Vick, 4 Lt. Drag., Private William Rose, 13th L.D. and Sergeant Morrisey, 13th L.D., (as Provost Sergeant, 2nd Brigade.)
Brighton, 1857: Alleged theft of his horsehair ring "made from the tail f the horse he rode at Balaklava and his white plume".
[With thanks to Wendy Leahy (see Links below), for providing this clipping.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Sent to the Chatham Invalid Depot on the 3rd of July 1858.
Life after service
1861 Census
< class="thicker">Winterbourne Dauntsey, Wiltshire.
Joseph Vick, 47, Groom, born Ludwell, Wilts.
Eliza Vick, 36, born Exeter.
William J Vick, 15, Stable Boy, born Hounslow.
Nathaniel Vick, 10, Scholar, born Ireland.
James E Vick, 8, Scholar, born Woolwich.
Alfred Vick, 6, born Dorset.
Samuel Vick, 11 months, born Winterbourne Dauntsey.
Death registered
Eliza Vick, 46 [sic], December 1867, Salisbury.
1871 Census
Britford, East Harnham, Wilts.
Joseph Vick, 59, widower, Pensioner from Chelsea, born Ludwell, Wilts.
Samuel Vick, 10, Scholar, Born Winterbourne.
1881 Census
The 1881 Census Returns show him as living at 57, Milford Street, in the parish of St. Edmund, Salisbury, Wiltshire, an Army Pensioner, aged 69 years born at Lindwell, Wiltshire, with a son, Samuel, a Valet (Unemployed) aged 20 and born at Winterbourne Dauncy, Wiltshire.
1881 Census
57, Milford Street, Salisbury.
Joseph Vick, 69, widowed, Army Pensioner, born Ludwell, Wilts.
Samuel Vick, 20, Valet, unemployed, born Winterbourne Dauntsey.
Death & burial
Died at Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, on the 14th of February 1888.
Death registered
Joseph Vick, 76 years, March Quarter 1888, B. Stortford.
There is a copy of the photograph showing the kerbstone of his grave in St. Mary's churchyard at Sawbridgeworth in the 4th Hussar file.
A brass plaque was later placed on the south wall of Great St. Mary's Church at Sawbridgeworth. The inscription reads:
"Erected by the inhabitants of Sawbridgeworth on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1897) in memory of Joseph Vick, Corporal 4th Light Dragoons, being One of the "Six Hundred" - he did his duty."
There is a photograph of this in the 4th Hussar file.
[Find, add, and check this photograph. WL gives a slightly different wording: "Erected by the inhabitants of Sawbridgeworth on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of QV [1897]. In memory of Joseph Vick, Corporal 4th Light Dragoons. He served in the Crimean War, being one of the Six Hundred - He did his duty."]
From the Parish Magazine of Great St. Mary's Church, Sawbridgeworth:
Burials. - February 21st. Joseph Vick. "One of the Six Hundred," aged 76 years.
"Even the oldest inhabitants of Sawbridgeworth tell us that they do not ever remember having seen a military funeral at our church. The interment of the late Corporal Joseph Vick, late of the 4th Light Dragoons, was the occasion for such an impressive service.
All the persons present seemed to vie with one another in doing honour to the memory of one of the famous "Six Hundred" who rode in the Balaclava Charge. He had volunteered for the charge, was wounded in the face, and had a horse shot under him; rode out of the fight on a comrade's stirrup and on the way they stopped to release another who was trapped under his dead horse and brought him out with them.
He had borne an excellent character, receiving four G.C badges in addition to the long service medal and also received the Turkish medal and the Crimean medal, with three clasps. Of the 673 men who rode down the "Valley of Death" only 193 answered the roll at the end of the day's terrible tragedy. The "C" Company (Bishop's Stortford) of the Hert's R.V., with their band, and under the command of Captain Percy Taylor, attended the funeral, and after the service, fired three volleys over the grave.
The service in the church was fully choral and the hymns "Days and Moments quickly flying" were sung in the church and "Brief life is here our portion" at the graveside. Mr. Bell played the Dead March in "Saul" as the congregation left for the grave side. The band had played the "Dead March" on the way to the churchyard and "True till Death" on the return. A very great number of persons were present at the church and later watched the body being lowered into the grave.
The good old man had attended his church when his health permitted, and became a member of the Guild of Intercession last year. He who had been obedient to the soldier's duty in the terrible scenes in the Crimea, ended his days amongst his children and grand-children, gentle and beloved by all.
God grant that we soldiers of the Cross of Christ may learn a lesson in faithfulness, courage, consideration for others, and gentleness from the history of our hero..."
From the Broad Arrow, 25th of February 1888:
The funeral of Corporal Joseph Hick [sic] one of the "Six Hundred," took place at Sawbridgeworth on Saturday last. Hick, who was a Corporal in the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons, was a survivor of the Balaclava Charge. He was then wounded in the face and had a horse shot under him and yet, under fire, he rescued a brother trooper, saving his life. He was 77 years of age...
Herts and Essex Observer, Saturday 25rd of February 1888:
Funeral of Corporal Joseph Vick.
For many, war has proved in many of its aspects, degrading, but nothing can deny the pluck, endurance and heroism which has been so characteristic of our Army. Men may debate the evils of war as they will, but deep down in the British heart is the deep and abiding admiration for the men whose courage in the call of duty rises to the level of the stern demand of riding into the jaws of death as the brave "Six Hundred" did in that memorable ride at Balaclava.
Such feelings of respect rose to the surface when so many gathered on Tuesday to do honour to the gallant soldier, who had at last, although full of years, peacefully met the last enemy, but on the fateful October day was so busy with his comrades. And who was the man who ended his days at Sawbridgeworth and whose funeral filled the church with so many who came to honour him.
He was Corporal Joseph Vick, late of the 4th Light Dragoons. He was born at Fitton in Wiltshire in the year 1812 and enlisting at the age of 22 left the Army with a pension in 1858. He served with his regiment in the Crimea and wore on his breast the Crimean and Turkish medals with clasps for Sebastopol, Balaclava and Inkerman.
Full as the charge was of thrilling incidents, Joseph Vick had his full share. He was struck in the face by a fragment of shell, had his horse shot under him and rode out of that valley of death on the stirrup of a comrade. Whilst still exposed to shot and shell all around him he rescued a fellow-soldier from underneath his horse and brought him safely out of the fight.
But Joseph Vick was a good soldier, not only when his blood was high in time of war, but in the piping times of peace. He also was proud of his long service and good conduct medal and his four good-conduct badges.
For some years before his death he had lived with his son, Mr. Alfred Vick, who was a gardener with Messrs. Rivers and Son, and died on the 14th of February, as recorded in our last issue. As on every succeeding year when the anniversary of the 25th of October came round Corporal Vick took his place with the ever-lessening numbers of the survivors at their annual dinner, the last being in 1887.
His funeral was a military one, 46 rank and file. of "C" Company of the 1st Herts R.V. from Bishops Stortford parading in North Street at 2,30 and proceeded by train to Sawbridgeworth. After a short interval following their arrival they again paraded and awaited the coffin. the whole presenting arms to the deceased.
The procession then proceeded to the church, the firing-party in open order and with arms reversed preceding the coffin, the band under Bandmaster Blamey, playing the Dead March from "Saul" The mourners were Mr. and Mrs. James Vick and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Vick (and their children Edward and Lilian) Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Brace and Mr and Mrs David Brace.
The procession was met at the churchyard gate by the Vicar and Curate of St. Mary's. The service was fully choral, the usual choir being augmented by voices from Bishops Stortford, Mr. Bell presided at the organ, the hymn being "Days and moments quickly flying" and at the graveside, "Brief life is here our portion."
The firing of the last salute assisted by the band and the rattle of the drums was very effective and concluded the ceremony and the Volunteers left the churchyard to the strains of "True till death". Messrs T. Sturt and Son were the undertakers and a muffled peal of bells was afterwards rung by the Sawbridgeworth bell-ringers.
[The same newspaper for the 18th of February stated in its "Death Notices" column: "VICK. On the 14th inst. at Sawbridgeworth, Joseph Vick, late Corporal, 4th Regiment Light Dragoons, aged 77. "One of the Six Hundred."]
From the Hertfordshire Mercury, Saturday 25th February 1888:
Funeral of a Balaclava Hero
The funeral took place on Saturday last of Joseph Vick, late a Corporal in the 4th Regiment Light Dragoons, who died at Sawbridgeworth on the 14th inst. at the age of 76. The deceased was born at Fitton, near Salisbury and enlisted in 1834 at the age of 22 years, serving in the Army till July 1858 and was then discharged with a pension of 1/1d per day in consequence of his length of service. Deceased bore an excellent character and possessed the good conduct and long service medal, also four good conduct badges.
He took part in the battles of the Crimea and the Siege of Sebastopol, for which he received the Crimean and Turkish medals with three bars, and was one of the famous six hundred heroes of the gallant charge, for which he volunteered and where he was wounded in the face, had a horse shot under him, rode out of the fight on a comrades's stirrup, and together whilst still under fire released a trooper from under his dead horse, and brought him out.
The deceased after his discharge from the army served 14 years in the local service, and for the last few years had been living with his son in Brook Lane.
Deceased was a regular attendant at the anniversary dinners on October the 25th, when the "charge" was "fought o'er and o'er again", and he put in a "last appearance" on the date named, in the Jubilee year, at the Aquarium. The funeral was a military one, the "C" company (Bishop Stortford) 1st Herts R.V. taking part in the impressive ceremony.
The body as it was brought from the cottage was saluted with "present arms" and the procession proceeded in the following order.
The Firing Party
With arms reversed and in open order, namely, Sergeant-Instructor Bowie, Sergeant P. Glasscock. Corporal Page, Lance-Corporals W. Green, A.E. Levey and H. Hughes, and Privates, W.J. Cornwell, A. Smith, A.E. Smith, H. Spicer. H.J. Copley, C. Heath, J.W. Millard and W. Fletcher.
The Band
Conducted by Bandmaster J. Bailey, playing the "Dead March".
The Corpse
Pall bearers - Corporal B. Gouldstone, and Privates P. Skipp, J. Hardy and A.E. Cass.
The Mourners
The other portion of the Volunteers
Major Percy W. Taylor and Lieutenant J.L. Wigan. The Vicar the Revd. H.A Lyscomb) officiated, assisted by the Revd. James Morgan, acting curate; and the service was fully choral, Messrs R. Brazier, A. Brazier and R.G. Wilcocks, members of St. Michael's Choir, Bishop Stortford, assisting in the singing. Mr J. Bell, the National Schoolmaster, officiated at the organ, and played as the opening voluntary a march by Boyce and as the congregation left the church the "Dead March" in Saul. The hymns were "Days and moments quickly flying", and at the grave, "Brief life is here our portion".
The closing scene was intensely affecting, the crowds which thronged the church, and were courteously seated by Mr. J.W. Trusell, parishioner's warden, were largely augmented outside. The volleys were given with great precision, and the "chord" by the band, and roll of drums which re-echoed the firing, were very effective.
Two wreaths, from Messrs Brickwell, bore the inscriptions "In memory of the brave" and "Honour to the brave." As the Volunteers left the churchyard the band played "True till death" and "Gathering Shells." Gunner T. Gilby, of the District Staff, Woolwich, of Bishop Stortford, was the only "regular" present, but there were many old members of the 1st Herts Light Horse, and Sixth Herts Rifle Volunteers.
