LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

Added 18.11.12. Further information 20.11.12.

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

Lieutenant Henry Smith ADLINGTON — 4th Light Dragoons

Birth & early life

Born on the 9th of May 1827, at East Bradenham, Norfolk, the son of Thomas Adlington and his wife Mary, daughter of Peter Smith, Esq., of Walbridge, Gloucestershire. [PB: Headstone says 21 March 1827. The May date is his baptism, at St Leonard's, Streatham, London.]

PB:

"The site [?], with farms of 307 acres, 34 acres, 244 acres, and 36 acres of land, in Scarning, Wendling, East and West Bradenham" were owned for some generations by the Strudwick family, "but afterwards became the property of Mr. Thomas Adlington, an eminent solicitor of London, and from him of Captain Henry Smith Adlington, his son, the present owner, and patron of the rectory, residing at Holme Hale."

Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Oxford.

Adlington, Henry Smith, o.s. Thomas, of Tooting, Surrey, arm. Trinity Coll., matric. 8 April, 1845, aged 18; lord of the manor of Holme Hale, Norfolk, patron of East Bradenham, late captain 4th light dragoons.

[Source: Alumni Oxoniensis (1715-1886) volume 1.djvu/26 (accessed 7.9.2018).]

Service

Cornet in the 4th Light Dragoons: 11th of February 1848.

Lieutenant, 4th Light Dragoons: 6th of July 1848.

Broke his leg at Dorchester on the 28th of June 1854, but travelled with the regiment to the Crimea.

Captain Adlington served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of the Alma, Inkerman (two horses shot under him) and the Siege and fall of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasps)

At the time of the battle of Balaclava (October 25th 1854), he was in command of the troop attached to the 2nd Division (General Sir Richard England's).

Captain, 4th Light Dragoons: 26th of October 1854.

[PB: John Edden mentions HSA in Eupatoria — date?]

"One night I was ordered out with a reconnoitring party, and told to make a circle to our left, but through a mistake of Captain Adlington, in command, we came out in the night [PB: right?]. I told him I was afraid he had made a mistake, but he said he had not. I told him "We shall be on the French Piquet's directly!" He replied that the pass word was "Toulong" [PB: i.e. Toulon?] and just as he had spoken it the French out-posts opened fire, and I again had my horse shot from under me, as did five or six of my comrades, as well as Captain Hunt. I immediately levelled my carbine to return the fire, when it was immediately knocked down by Captain Adlington, who said "We shall have the whole army on us in a minute," and then he began to shout "Toulong!" which satisfied them we were friends. Not a man was killed, although several were wounded."

[Add source & thanks to Roy Ashwood for the transcription]

[PB: Fiennes Wykeham Martin [aka Fiennes Cornwallis] mentions HSA in a letter home. Date?]

I live in hopes that if I live through the campaign, I may return a Major. The only sticker I see in my way is Adlington, and nothing would induce him to leave; my best chance would be a good exchange when I get my troop.

[Source: Letters written from The Crimea to several members of his family by the late Major Fiennes Cornwallis, collected and edited by Mrs Wykeham Martin of Leeds Castle. Privately printed, 1868. From Wendy Leahy's website?

Returned to England on the 14th of March 1855.

Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 14th of March 1856.

Campaign service

Medals

Captain Adlington served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of the Alma, Inkerman (two horses shot under him) and the Siege and fall of Sebastopol. (Medal and Clasps)

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, and the Turkish Medal.

Commemorations

Life after service

J.P. for Norfolk and Patron of the living of East Bradenham.

On the 1st of May 1856, he married Emma Jean, daughter of the Revd Charles Campbell, of Weasenham, Norfolk.

Marriage registered

Henry Smith Adlington married Emma Jean Campbell, June Quarter 1856, Mitford.

1851 Census

On the Green, Weasenham St Peter [King's Lynn, Norfolk].

Charles Campbell, 59, widower, vicar of Weasenham, born Weasenham.

Emma Jean Campbell [future wife], 20, Gentlewoman, born Weasenham.

A visitor and 5 servants are also shown.

1861 Census

Holme Hale Hall, Swaffham.

Henry S Adlington, 36, Landed Proprietor (JP), late Capt Lgt Drgs, born Upper Tooting, Surrey.

Emma J Adlington, 30, born Weasenham.

Four servants are also shown.

1871 Census

5, Oxford Square, Paddington.

Henry S. Adlington, 44, late Captain in the Army & magistrate, born Streatham, Surrey.

Emma J Adlington, 40, born Norfolk.

Infant, no name, 2 months, born Paddington.

Eight servants are also shown.

The Hall, Holme Hale

(Click on image to enlarge)

1881 Census

The Hall, Holme Hale, Swaffham Union.

Henry S. Adlington, aged 54, Magistrate, born Streatham, Surrey.

Emma Jean Adlington, 50, Magistrate's wife, born Weasenham, Norfolk.

Mary Campbell Adlington, 10, born Paddington.

Evelyn Campbell Adlington, 8, born Paddington.

Two visitors and nine servants (including a French Governess) are also shown.

[PB: On Holme Hale Hall, see e.g.

- http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-221017-holme-hale-hall-holme-hale-norfolk

- http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/garden.aspx?id=18586

1891 Census

The Hall, Holme Hale, Swaffham.

Henry S Adlington, aged 64, Magistrate, living on own means, born Upper Tooting, Surrey.

Emma Jean Adlington, 60, born Weasenham.

Mary C. Adlington, 20, born Paddington, London.

Evelyn C. Adlington, 18, born Paddington, London.

Seven servants are also shown.

Death & burial

He died at Holme Hale Hall, near Shipdam, Norfolk, on the 15th of April 1893, and was buried in East Bradenham churchyard.

Death registered

Henry Smith Adlington, aged 66, June Quarter 1893, Swaffham.

Extract from the Dereham and Fakenham News, 29th of April 1893:

"Adlington. — On the 15th inst. at Holme Hale Hall, Henry Smith Adlington, Late Captain, 4th Hussars, aged 66.

Funeral of the late Mr. H.S. Adlington, J.P.

The funeral of the late Mr. H.S. Adlington of Holme Hale Hall, and formerly a Captain in the 4th Hussars, took place in the churchyard here in the afternoon of Friday the 21st, and was attended by a large concourse of the clergy, gentry, tenantry, tradesmen, and villagers.

The coffin was borne from Holme Hale Hall in a hearse with embossed panels so that it, and the lovely wreaths could be seen. These latter were composed of roses, arum lilies, lilies of the valley, white tulips, spira and maiden fern.

Six of the senior labourers from different farms on the estate acted as bearers, the service was most impressively read by the Revd. Canon C.K. Winter, (rector of Welbourne) and formerly for some years rector of East Bradenham, of which the deceased was the Patron.

As the procession entered the church, which was completely filled, "O' Rest in the Lord", from Elijah, was played on the organ and between the reading of the 23rd Psalm and the lesson, the hymn, "Peace, Perfect peace" was sung by the choir, which also chanted a rendering of the "Nunc Dimittis" as the congregation left the church.

The grave, which had been prepared by the side of his infant son, was unbricked, but very pleasantly lined with evergreen, and had a border of ivy and primroses around its brink.

The coffin was of dark oak, with a brass shield and on which was the inscription: "Henry Smith Adlington, died 15th April 1893, aged 66 years", and was made by Mr. R. Wheale of East Bradenham, one of the tenants." [Then follows a list of those present, or sending wreaths.]

His tombstone in the churchyard of St. Mary's at East Bradenham, Norfolk, bears the inscription:

"In Hope of the Resurrection to Eternal Life. Henry Smith Adlington of Holme Hale Hall, late Captain 4th Light Dragoons. Born March 21st 1827 — Died April 15th 1893. Also of [...]"

It is impossible to read any more as the stone has sunk below the surface, and one cannot tell who else was buried with him.

It is difficult to see exactly what has happened, but it would rather seem as if stones of a certain standard or interest were virtually re-erected in a straight line, and it is doubtful if where the stone now stands was his original burial plot.

There are quite a number of stones which have been laid flat on the ground, only some dozen or so still remaining standing.

Further information

Marriage registered

Mary Campbell Adlington married Horatio George Broke, June Quarter 1893, Swaffham.

Birth registered

Dorothy Margaret Broke [grand-daughter], March Quarter 1894, Wycombe.

1901 Census

The Hall, Holme Hale, Swaffham.

Emma J Adlington, widow, 70, living on own means, born Weasenham.

Evelyn C. Adlington, 28, born Paddington.

Six servants are also shown.

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Holme, Huntingdonshire.

Horatio G Broke, 39, Vicar of Holme, born St George Hanover Sq.

Mary C. Broke [daughter], 30, born Paddington.

Dorothy Broke, 7, born Great Marlow, Bucks.

A visitor and four servants are also shown.

1911 Census

The Hall, Home Hale, Thetford.

Emma Jean Adlington, 80, born Weasenham.

Evelyn Campbell Adlington, 38, born Paddington.

Six servants are also shown.

Birth registered

Philip A Broke [grandson], December Quarter 1910, Woodbridge.

1911 Census

Melton Rectory, Melton, Suffolk.

George Broke, aged 49, Clerk in Holy Orders, born Mayfair.

Mary Campbell Broke [daughter], 40

Philip Adlington Broke, 5 months.

A visitor and five servants are also shown.

4, Ossett Terrace, Paddington W.

Dorothy Margaret Broke, aged 17, Student.

DMB and three other students and three servants are shown living with Helena Langhorne Powell, Head of College, and her two sisters.

Death registered

Emma J Adlington [wife], aged 83, June Quarter 1914, Swaffham.

Marriage registered

Dorothy M Broke [grand-daughter] married Herbert E Denny, March Quarter 1923, Hampstead.

Death registered

Dorothy M Denny [grand-daughter], aged 39, December Quarter 1934, Greenwich.

Marriage registered

Philip A Broke [grandson] married Jean P Hiley, December Quarter 1934, Cambridge.

Deaths registered

Mary C. Broke [daughter], aged 78, June Quarter 1949, Wayland.

Evelyn C. Adlington [daughter], 80, December Quarter 1952, Reading.

Philip Adlington Broke [grandson], 86, December Quarter 1996, Peterborough.

__________

His grandson, Colonel R.S. Broke, O.B.E. M.C., is in possession of a number of unpublished letters sent from the Crimea.

[PB: Could we contact him with a view to seeing these letters?]

__________

In May 2001 a militaria dealer in America, TimeTraveller of Leesburg, VA. offered on the Internet an item described as an "1854 Crimean Hussars portrait and medals in a fitted presentation box.

There is a brooch with a painting of an Hussar officer, the brooch also having a clear glass under which is a lock of hair. Also in the case is a minature Crimean medal with three bars for Sebastopol, Inkerman and Alma, the other medal being an 1855 Turkish Crimean medal."

All are said to be set in their own indentations in the case.

The asking price was $850.

Enquiry of the dealer as to their provenance brought only the reply that "I know nothing more about them."

Henry Adlington is the only Hussar officer with this combination of medals. Although there is no positive proof, they could well have been his.

Further information

From Wendy Leahy, "Shadows of Time" website: 4th Light Dragoons Personal Records A: (accessed 9.8.15).

WL mentions that the east window of the church of St. Andrew, Holme Hale, Norfolk, depicts a memorial to Henry Smith Adlington. It was erected in 1895 and cost £150. Follow up.

PB (November 2017): St Andrew? St Mary? Check.

It would seem that the window is not a memorial to HSA, but rather one he was responsible for installing. The text beneath is (said to be) "In memoriam Patris Matris et Sororis Henricus S. Adlington hanc fenestram instituit", which I assume means something like "This window is established by Henry S. Adlington in memory of his father, mother and sister."

What does the east window depict? Does it have any military associations, as do the Clevland windows?

Hmm, perhaps there is another window. I have just seen that the

Henry Smith Adlington

FORENAMES: Henry Smith, also recorded as Harry Smith

BORN: 21 03 1827

BAPTISED: 05 05 1827

AT: St. Leonards Streatham Surrey

FATHER: Thomas Adlington

MOTHER: Mary Smith

SIBLINGS: Mary Smith Adlington

Born 18 09 1828

Baptised 02 10 1828 St Leonards Streatham Surrey

Married Sir Offley Penbury Wakeman of Perdiswell Hall, Claines, Shropshire, who died on 20 09 1858.

Sir Offley named Henry Smith Adlington as one of the executors of his will.

NOTES: Thomas Adlington and Mary Smith married 11 01 1825 Rodborough Gloucester

COMMISSIONED: Ensign 11 02 1848

APPOINTED: Ensign 62nd Wiltshires 11 02 1848 by purchase, vice Ensign William Rudman

Lieutenant 62nd Wiltshires 06 07 1849 by purchase, vice Lieutenant John Southcote Mansergh

Lieutenant 4LD 04 09 1849 vice Lieutenant Martin Kirwan

Captain 4LD 26 10 1854 without purchase, vice Captain Alexander Low

EXCHANGED: From 62nd Wiltshires to 4LD 04 09 1849

NOTES: Had left the army by the time of his marriage

POST DISCHARGE OCCUPATION[S]: Lord of the Manor, Holme Hale Hall near Bradenham, Norfolk

The living of the Church of St. Mary in East Bradenham was in the gift of Henry Smith Adlington and was awarded to the following clergy:

In April 1848 to Rev. George William Winter, Clerk

In July 1872 to Rev. Lewis Richard Charles Bagot, clerk, B.A.

In 1879 to Rev. Edward George Adlington Winter M.A. of Keble College, Oxford

In July 1891 to Rev. William Ray Eaton, Clerk, B.A.

DIED: 2Q/1893 Swaffham 66 years

NOTES: The east window of the church of St. Andrew, Holme Hale, Norfolk depicts a memorial to Henry Smith Adlington. It was erected in 1895 and cost £150.

1ST WIFE: Emma Jean CAMPBELL

MARRIED: 24 04 1856 at St Peter's, Weasenham, Norfolk.

Groom Henry Smith Adlington Esq., late Captain in the 4LD, of East Bradenham, Norfolk

NOTES: Emma Jean, second daughter of the Rev. Charles Campbell, vicar of Weasenham, Norfolk

CHILD: Henry Campbell

BORN: 3Q/1865 Kensington

DIED: 04 05 1866 aged 8 months Holme Hale Hall Norfolk

CHILD: Mary Campbell

NOTES: Married 2Q/1893 Swaffham to the Rev. Horatio George Broke, M.A. Rector of Melton Suffolk

LONDON GAZETTES: No. 21015, 11 02 1848

No. 20996, 06 07 1849

No. 21635, 01 12 1854

HART'S ARMY LISTS: 1849, 1855

PRESS/ALMANACKS: The United Service Magazine, Volume 61 by Arthur William Alsager Pollock, 1849

A List of the Officers of the Army and of the Corps of Royal Marines War Office 1855-1856

Bulletins and Other State Intelligence 1850

Walford's county families of the United Kingdom, 1913

Kelly's Directory for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk, 1883

Newcastle Courant 07 04 1848

Morning Chronicle 05 09 1849

Morning Chronicle 28 04 1856

Freeman's Journal 30 04 1856

Ipswich Journal 12 05 1866

Ipswich Journal 03 08 1872

Ipswich Journal 04 07 1891

OTHER SOURCES: Honour the Light Brigade

FreeBMD

IGI

LINKS: http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/hale.htm

[Source: http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/4ths/dragoona/adlington1.html (accessed 9.8.15).]

References & acknowledgements

Additional Census information for 1851-1911, and details of numerous registrations of births, deaths and marriages kindly provided by Chris Poole.

The editors are very grateful to Wendy Leahy for allowing us to quote from her research into the lives of members of the 4th Light Dragoons.

Follow up...

See the History, topographical, archaeological, genealogical, and biographical, of the parishes of West and East Bradenham, with those of Necton and Home Hale, in the county of Norfolk, from public records ... parish registers..., available for download in several formats from https://archive.org/stream/historytopograph00cartrich/historytopograph00cartrich_djvu.txt (accessed 8.11.2017). Notice that "Adlington, Captain H. S., Holme Hale Hall, Thetford." is the first in a list of subscribers.

See also http://www.holmehalestandrew.org.uk/?page_id=2:

"The interior of the church was fully restored in 1868, at a cost of £650; and the east window was glazed in 1895 in memory of Captain Henry Smith Adlington of Holme Hale Hall."

This source adds:

Memorial Inscriptions and Church Records

The Mid-Norfolk Family History Society very kindly carried out a survey in January 2007 of all the inscriptions in the church and churchyard. Their report records all legible inscriptions, their locations and, where appropriate, descriptions of memorials. Copies of the report are available from the Society at 47 Greengate, Swanton Morley, Norfolk NR20 4LX.

Church records date from 1538. The earliest volumes have been lodged with Norwich Diocesan Record Office. We welcome enquiries from those seeking to trace their ancestors.

[Source: HolmeHaleStAndrew.org.uk.]

Church and East window: images to follow up

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914116

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=holme+hale+church+windows&newwindow=1&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5xar916jdAhVMKMAKHS_yCS8Q_AUICigB&biw=1833&bih=967#imgrc=BgDIBT2gCkf44M:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=holme+hale+church+windows&newwindow=1&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5xar916jdAhVMKMAKHS_yCS8Q_AUICigB&biw=1833&bih=967#imgrc=LuSRBWOjqWN0IM:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914036