1064, Trumpeter James DONOGHUE — 8th Hussars

Also recorded as "Donaghue", "Donohue", and "O'Donoghue". Named as "Alfred James" in 1859.

Birth & early life

Born at Canterbury on the 25th of October 1829, the son of 123, Private Bernard Donoghue, 5th Dragoon Guards. (See record of James Donoghue's younger brother 1088 Bernard Donoghue, 8th Hussars for further family information.)

1841 Census

St Sidwell, Exeter

James Hill, 31, Rope Maker, born Exeter

Charlotte Hill, 25, born Exeter

Maria Hill, mother, 62, born Exeter

Elizabeth Hill (future wife), 8, born Exeter

Charlotte Hill [sic], 4 months, born Exeter

Enlistment

Enlisted into the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade at Belturbet, Co. Cavan, on the 14th of May 1844, with the Regimental No. [?]

Age 14 years 6 months.

Height: 5' 6".

Trade: Tailor.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.

The muster roll states, "Under age" until the 31st of August 1846.

Service

Appointed to Bugler: 14th of September 1846.

Reverted to Private: 10th of July 1847.

Transferred to the 8th Hussars on the 1st of June 1848, which he joined on the 9th, "at his own request, to serve with elder brother", vide letter dated the 17th of May 1848, from the Lt. General Commanding in Ireland to the Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion 60th Rifles. He was then shown as being the "Band".

No conclusive evidence can yet be found of the later statement in his obituary report that he had "two brothers serving in the 8th Hussars, both of whom died in India."

Two brothers?

Only his younger brother 1288 Bernard Donoghue is known to have been one of these, and he certainly did not die in India (see his record). Neither is there any comment from both regimental records at the time of the transfer of James Donoghue from the 60th Rifles to the 8th Hussars to indicate that this was under an equal arrangement.

Nor does a check of the muster rolls for the period from 1846 onwards show any other with the same surname apart from the two recorded, although it could have been a half-brother whose surname is not known.

From Private to Trumpeter: 14th of May 1849.

"To forfeit 30 days' pay and confined in the cells for 7 days" by Commanding Officer's Order dated the 30th of December 1849. No specific charge was recorded.

Service

1851 Census

Preston Cavalry Barracks, Sussex.

James Donaghue [sic], 21, unmarried, Private/Musician, born Canterbury.

Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. Medora on the 27th of April 1854.

He acted as Field Trumpeter to Colonel Shewell at Balaclava and his horse was shot under him during the Charge.

Resigned to Private on the 12th of April 1856.

From Private to Corporal: 24th of January 1857.

Embarked for India from Cork aboard the S. S. "Great Britain" on the 8th of October 1857.

Invalided to England on the 1st of January 1859.

1861 Census

Black Boys Road, Exeter

James Hill, 52, widower, Ropemaker Master, born Exeter.

James Hill, 16, born Exeter.

Charlotte Hill, 20, born Exeter

Elizabeth Donoghue [daughter], 28, born Exeter.

James Donoghue, 31, Musician, born Canterbury.

On the 2nd of June 1863 he signed an affidavit which was later filed in the Calthorpe-Cardigan law-suit. He then stated that he was Bandmaster of the 1st (or Exeter and South Devon) Volunteer Rifle Regiment living in Black Boys Road, Exeter, Devon, formerly a Sergeant in Her Majesty's 8th Hussars. (There is nothing on his documents of his ever having been in this post.)

1. I was formerly Band Sergeant in the 8th Hussars and served with that regiment in the Crimea and subsequently in India.

2. I remember the Light Cavalry Charge at Balaclava on the 25th of October 1854, when on that occasion I acted as Field Trumpeter in attendance upon Colonel Shewell, who was then in command of the 8th Hussars, and my position at the time of the charge was with Colonel Shewell in front of the Regiment.

3. When we started for the charge we were in line with, and to the right of the 4th Light Dragoons. As we advanced the 8th Hussars became separated from the 4th Light Dragoons in consequence of Colonel Shewell ordering us not to go too fast. I recollect Colonel Shewell waving us back with his sword on that account, the 4th Light Dragoons diverged a little to the left, while the 8th Hussars moved a little to the right and an interval was left between the two Regiments.

4. As we were advancing, and after we had passed through the fire of the guns on our front I saw the Earl of Cardigan galloping past us towards the rear, coming from the position of the Russian guns in our front. I am sure it was Lord Cardigan; I saw him distinctly. He was riding a chestnut horse and wore the uniform of the 11th Hussars. He passed to our left, both of the 4th Light Dragoons and about 150 yards of the left flank of the 8th Hussars. I never felt more sure of anything in my life than I was at that moment when Lord Cardigan passed us, going to the rear, that he was going to bring the Heavy Brigade to our support.

5. The 8th Hussars continued to advance and when we got considerably beyond the Russian battery which had been to our front, we were halted for a few moments. Some Russian cavalry then formed in our rear to cut off our retreat. Col. Shewell gave the order to wheel; we wheeled around, and under his orders cut our way through the Russian cavalry.

6. After this my horse was shot. When I had recovered from the stunning effects of my fall, I stripped my horse of my kit and placing it upon my arm, I made my way back to my regiment. After the battle I heard the fact of Lord Cardigan going back much spoken of and commented on, in the Regiment.

In a further affidavit, also dated the 2nd of June 1863, he stated:

1. Referring to paragraph 4th of my former affidavit sworn on the 29th of May 1862 I say that when I saw Lord Cardigan galloping to the rear, as mentioned in that paragraph, he was quite alone, and not attended by any Aide de-camp, Staff-Officer or Orderly.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 19th of July 1859, as:

"Unfit for further service. Suffers from organic disease of the heart — effects of rheumatic fever which he has contracted on field service. Not aggravated by vice or mis-conduct. Is recommended for discharge as being unfit for active service."

Served 15 years 63 days.

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 323 days

In India: 1 year 43 days,

Aged 29 years 9 months on discharge.

Conduct: "good.

In possession of two Good Conduct badges when promoted. Never entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book, Never tried by Court-martial.

To live in Enniskillen, Ireland.

Received 6d. per day pension, "conditional" until the 2nd of August 1864 on discharge and this was made 6d. per day "permanent" from the 16th of August 1868.

This was further increased to 8d. per day from the 20th of January 1866 when he was living in the Liverpool District, and further increased to 1/4d. for "9 years' service as Bugle-Major on the Permanent Staff of the Stafford and Royal Lancashire Militia" on the 12th of July 1881.

Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.

Medals

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

Awarded the French War Medal. The citation for this states: "Charged with the Light Brigade at Balaclava; was also present in the ranks at the Alma and Inkerman and served with the regiment throughout the war."

Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India.

Served at Kotah.

There is no indication on his documents that he ever reached the rank of Sergeant, although he is shown as such on the Mutiny medal roll.

His obituary notice credits him with also having the Long Service & Good Conduct medal, but there is nothing to confirm this, neither did he serve long enough in the regular army to be so entitled. Though he may have received this whilst serving with the Militia forces such is not recorded as being part of his medal group on the several occasions on which it was sold.

There is a photograph of his group of medals in the 8th Hussar file.

Further detailed medal information archived.

Commemorations

Life after service

Marriage registered

Alfred [sic] James Donoghue married Elizabeth Kelland Hill, December Quarter 1859, Exeter.

1861 Census

Black Boys Road, Exeter

James Hill, 52, widower, Ropemaker Master, born Exeter.

James Hill, 16, born Exeter.

Charlotte Hill, 20, born Exeter

Elizabeth Donoghue [daughter], 28, born Exeter.

James Donoghue, 31, Musician, born Canterbury.

1861 Census

address?

The 1861 Census shows him as living in Exeter with his wife, Elizabeth, at the home of his father-in-law, James Hill, a master rope-maker.

He was shown as being 31 years of age, a musician, and she as 28. James Hill was a widower and had an un-married son and daughter also living with him.

1881 Census

9, Scotland Road, Parish of St. Stephen's, Warrington.

The 1881 Census shows him as 49 years of age, a Pensioner, born in Canterbury, Kent, living with his wife, Elizabeth, 48, born in Exeter, Devonshire.

1871 Census

40, Scotland Road, Warrington.

James Donoghue, 39, Sgt 4 Royal Lancs Militia, born Canterbury

Elizabeth Donoghue, 38, born Exeter

As Trumpeter J Donoghue, member of both 1877 & 1879 Balaclava Commemoration Society

1881 Census

9, Scotland Road, Warrington.

James Donoghue, 49, Pensioner, born Canterbury.

Elizabeth Donoghue, 44, born Exeter.

1890

1... Received £30 from the Light Brigade Relief Fund money sent c/o Rev E.S. Jackson, Gt Sankey Vicarage, Warrington.

2... Invited to the October Balaclava Dinner in London.

3... On 21st May he was one of seventeen beneficiaries appearing on stage at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, where £200 was raised for the benefit of the northern Balaclava survivors.

1891 Census

Bank House Yard, Penketh, Warrington.

James Donoghue, 61, Army Pensioner, born Canterbury.

NB States in end column... 'Defective Vision'

Elizabeth Donoghue, 58, born Exeter.

1893

The Lancashire Evening Post of Tuesday 8th August observed six Balaclava veterans-- Nunnerley, Butler and Holland of the 17th, Hindley 13th & Trumpeter Pearson of the 4th along with Trumpeter Donoghue of the 8th marched in the huge procession at the Preston Rose Festival on the previous day to much applause.

Death & burial

Died at Penketh, near Warrington, Lancashire, on the 19th of November 1894.

Death registration

James Donohoe [sic], aged 65 years, December Quarter 1894, Warrington.

There is a copy of his obituary notice [source?] and of the inscription on his gravestone in the 8th Hussar file.

[PB: There were numerous obituary notices. One, in the Warrington Guardian, 21st of November 1894, says he died at home:

It appears that Donoghue, who was 65 years of age, had been in failing health for three or four months, but was about the village as late as three weeks ago, after which time he never left the house, the cause of his death being dropsy.

But another, in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, says that he died in Warrington Workhouse. Is it possible Warrington was in some way embarrassed, and hence concealed the fact, whereas the Gazette, in claiming his "practically destitute" wife as an "Exonian", felt no such restraint?]:

(Click on image to enlarge)

Extract from the Daily Guardian for the 21st of November 1894:

Funeral of the late Sergeant Donoghue

The funeral of the late Sergeant James Donoghue, who claimed to have sounded the "Advance" for the Light Brigade at the memorable battle of Balaclava, took place at the New Cemetery at Penketh on Wednesday afternoon. There was a very large attendance of the general public and the proceedings were of a very solemn and impressive character.

The funeral procession started from the late residence of the deceased, Bank Cottage, at Penketh, the coffin, on which there were several choice wreaths, being borne by soldiers from the Orford Barracks. One or two of the Warrington Volunteers were present. The service in the Chapel and at the grave-side was conducted by the Revd. J. R. Jones, Curate of St. Mary's Church, Great Sankey."

From the Warrington Guardian, 21st of November 1894:

Death of a local Balaclava Hero

The death took place on Saturday night at his residence, Bank Cottages, Penrith, of Sergeant James Donoghue (late of the 8th Hussars) who sounded the advance of the Light Brigade at the memorable battle of Balaclava at which his horse was shot under him.

He was also present at the taking of Sebastopol. The deceased was well known in Warrington, where he resided for a considerable number of years before his departure for Penketh, where he eventually lived in comparative retirement.

Eventually however, he became tired of the quiet life of a village and was engaged by a public entertainer to lecture from town to town on his experiences in the Crimea, in which capacity he was very successful, his graphic description of the dangers and excitement of a military life never failing to interest.

It appears that Donoghue, who was 65 years of age, had been in failing health for three or four months, but was about the village as late as three weeks ago, after which time he never left the house, the cause of his death being dropsy. He was attended in his last illness by Dr. Murray of Penketh. He was unconscious for two days before he died.

Donoghue was born at Canterbury on October the 25th, 1829. He had been in the Army all his life, having first enlisted with the 2nd Battalion Rifles on the 13th of May 1844 at Belturbet, in Ireland. He served in the Rifles for four years till 1848, when he transferred into the 8th Hussars, in which regiment his two brothers were at that time serving.

In 1854 the Hussars were ordered to take part in the expedition to the Danube under Lord Cardigan, and afterwards they re-embarked at Varna for the Crimea, landing at Eupatoria on the 14th of September 1854.

The first attack was made on the enemy on the 19th, when they encountered the Russian cavalry and artillery. The old man was fond of referring to his recollections of the battle of the Alma, the engagement at Mackenzie's Farm and the encampment of the Light Cavalry, but particularly to the memorable charge of Balaclava on the 25th of October 1854 in which his two brothers and himself took part.

At the time Sergeant Donoghue was field trumpeter to Lord Cardigan and received from the noble Lord the order to charge. The Sergeant had a narrow escape in the attack; his horse was shot under him and as he and a comrade were returning they were attacked by several Polish Lancers and in the midst of two armies they made a splendid fight.

For his bravery on the field Sergeant Donoghue on this occasion received the French Legion of Honour, a decoration perhaps the most coveted of any. Afterwards the remainder of the regiment returned home in 1856, but were ordered out again to assist in quelling the Mutiny in India. In 1859 the sergeant had an attack of sunstroke at Gwalior and was sent home and discharged on a pension of 8d. per day. He left his brothers in India where they have since died.

At the time when the British public were appealed to on behalf of the Balaclava heroes and were shown the condition in which "they who had fought so well" now were, Messrs Robey promised they would look after Sergeant Donoghue for the rest of his life.

Until a few years ago deceased was of a very cheerful disposition, was hale and hearty and showed very little trace of the starvation and trials of the Crimea which wrought such havoc on his brother soldiers.

He wore on his breast the following decorations, the Crimean medal with the four clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, the French Legion of Honour from Napoleon the III, Tutkish medal, Indian Mutiny medal with clasp for Central India and the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

The remains of the deceased will be interred in Penketh Cemetery this (Wednesday) afternoon with military honours, a number of men from Orford Barracks being told off for the purpose. There will no doubt be a very large attendance of spectators anxious to do honour to an old local hero.

"W. H. W. of Penketh writes to us concerning Donoghue to the following effect:

I am sorry to have to announce to you the death of another Balaclava hero in the person of James Donoghue, late sergeant of the 8th Hussars and who was a resident of Penketh during the last few years of his life.

The mis-appropriation of the large sum of money contributed for the benefit of the Balaclava survivors is considered by me and everybody to whom I have spoken to on the subject, as a shameless heartless robbery.

The generous contributors to the Fund have been deceived, because the money has not been given to the men for whose sole benefit it was contributed.

But the gallant soldier whose death has been reported suggests these lines — as to whose glorious charge on the ever notable 25th of October 1854 is a standing incentive to every soldier of our own or any other flag — is no more, and so will no longer trouble the varied consciences of the War Office.

He who sounded the grand charge at Balaclava has touched his cap for the last time to grim Captain Death, and is ready to answer the final roll call, What I am most concerned about is this, His widow has absolutely nothing to depend on now that her good man has gone and if any of you could see your way clear to the opening of a little fund for her benefit I am sure many of your readers would be glad to contribute.

Meanwhile the widow's address is Mrs Elizabeth Donoghue, Bank Cottages, Penketh.

(We shall be glad to receive and acknowledge any subscriptions which our readers are disposed to send towards the object named. )"

Extract from the Penketh Church magazine, December 1894:

"On Wednesday afternoon the 21st of November, there was interred in the Cemetery the mortal remains of Sergeant Donoghue, Penketh. It is no news to our readers that our departed hero in his time played a most active and stirring part in one of the most stirring times in modern history.

He was one of the renowned Six Hundred who made the gallant charge at Balaclava — a charge that will remain in the annals of our country as unparalleled for the courage and bravery of our soldiers.

According to his own account, the sergeant was selected by Lord Cardigan out of six trumpeters to sound the charge, He wore on his breast medals which he or any other man might be justly proud of. Medals and clasps for Inkerman, Sebastopol, Central India, Long Service and the French Legion of Honour given by Napoleon the III.

Never was the old soldier happier that when narrating to many of us some of the stirring incidents of the battlefield. It may be said that if there ever was a soldier, Sergeant Donoghue was one. He was born in the Army and enlisted when quite a boy. He was a soldier's son, and his grandfather was also in the Army as a Hospital Sergeant. Forty years ago this worthy veteran was fighting, with two of his brothers, our country's battles. And now he lies at rest. He has fought his last battle, and passed through that war from which "there is no discharge."

Many have expressed a desire to perpetuate the memory of Sergeant Donoghue by placing over his grave a tombstone or monument as a full tribute to his distinguished career. The Warrington Guardian of November 21 1894 printed a long obituary of Sergeant Donoghue, it gives his address as Bank Cottages Penketh, and says he left a widow, Elizabeth.

Oddly enough the Balaclava bugler was born on October 25th, 1829, at Canterbury, so the day of the fatal charge — during which his horse was shot under him — also marked his birthday."

Frome the Liverpool Mercury, 23rd of November 1894:

Funeral of Balaclava survivor

The remains were interred on Wednesday at Penketh, near Warrington, of Sergeant James Donaghue, a survivor of the Balaclava Charge. He claimed to be the trumpeter who sounded the order to charge.

He had the Crimean medal with bars for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, the Turkish and French war medals for distinguished service in the light cavalry charge, also the Indian Mutiny medal and medal for long service and good conduct.

Donaghue had a small pension, but was in such reduced circumstances that a few years ago he was an inmate of the Warrington Workhouse. He has left a widow who is practically destitute.

"Here rests Sergeant J. Donoghue, late 8th Hussars. Died at Penketh, November 17th 1894, aged 65 years."

(Click on image to enlarge)

The inscription on his headstone reads:

"Alma, Balaclava, Sebastopol, Inkerman and Central India."

Here rests Sergeant J. Donoghue, late 8th Hussars. Died at Penketh, November 17th 1894, aged 65 years.

He was one of those who sounded the Advance at the Balaclava Charge, Oct. 25th 1854 and lived to tell the tale. "Noble Six Hundred."

Erected to his memory by a few friends and admirers.

Also his wife, Elizabeth, who died on November 12th 1909, aged 77 years."

There is a photograph of this gravestone in the 8th Hussar file. [PB: To be added. The image above is temporary, having been cropped from the Warrington Worldwide article, below.]

The stone is not actually in Penketh Cemetery, there being no such place, but in the New Cemetery, an extension of St. Mary's Churchyard, in St. Mary's Road, Penketh.

[PB, Jan 2014: The cemetery closed in 2003, but is being maintained and restored. There are references to "James Donohue" on the Friends of St Mary's Cemetery website: http://www.friendsofstmaryscemetery.co.uk/, e.g.

The cemetery has numerous military graves and memorials ranging from war graves of fallen heroes from 3 conflicts, a grave of an 'unknown Warrior' and Sgt. James Donohue [sic], one of the buglers who sounded the charge for the Light Brigade in the Crimean War.

There is also a brief reference to Donoghue and to 1201 Frederick Henry Cheshire, 8th Hussars — both Exeter-men — on the "Graves and Cemeteries of Exeter — a history and photo essay" section of the Exeter Memories website (that appears to date from 2012).

Trumpeter James Donoghue

There is a second survivor from the Charge of the Light Brigade with connections to Exeter. Trumpeter James Donoghue enlisted in 1848 and sailed for the Crimea on the H T Medora in April 1854. He had his horse shot from under him in the charge. After he retired, he became the Band Master of the 1st (Exeter and South Devon) Volunteer Regiment and lived in Blackboys Road. He is buried in Warrington.

Links

In April 2015, PB wrote a blog: "Trumpeter James Donoghue: from the Charge of the Light Brigade to a Victorian Black and White 'Midget Minstrel' show". It can be viewed here.

References & acknowledgements

Marriage and death registration, Census information (1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, and 1891), and references to JD's involvement with the Light Brigade Relief Fund and commemorative events such as the Balaclava Dinner, Free Trade Hall, and Preston Rose Festival kindly provided by Chris Poole.

Further information

Appeal for a forgotten hero to be remembered

By Paul Jackson on 8th October 2017

"Hero Sgt. J. Donoghues grave at St. Mary's Cemetery"

(Click on image to enlarge)

AN appeal has been launched for a Warrington hero of the Charge of the Light Brigade, the battle immortalised in verse, film and legend, to be remembered

When warrington-worldwide reporter and photographer, Paul Jackson, was sent to cover the story of a community volunteer organisation, little did he expect to come across a forgotten hero from possibly one of the British Armies most famous actions.

While interviewing Jean Bouch, a volunteer with the Friends of St. Mary's cemetery group he was surprised to hear that the grave of one of the survivors from the ill fated Charge of the Light Brigade was located within the Penketh plot.

Not only was the old soldier one of the lucky ones to get away with his life, he blew the trumpet to sound the charge through "the valley of death".

Paul felt compelled to share the valiant story with his fellow Warringtonians as he was sure that a great many local people would, like him, be unaware of Sgt. James Donoghue's existence and connections with the town.

He explained "As soon as I heard that this man lived and was buried here I knew I had to share that with as many local people as possible.

"Local history is hugely popular in Warrington and this has to be one of the most famous battles in history. I felt that it was appropriate, in the weeks preceding Remembrance Sunday, to try to bring to the public's attention the amazing story of this heroic man. Hopefully a few people will visit his grave and maybe leave a poppy as a mark of respect."

After some research an online poster has been produced documenting the former Hussars valiant life and is now available to read here.

_________

Our Forgotten Hero

As Remembrance Sunday apporaches and we wear our poppies to show our appreciation of the ultimate sacrifice made by our fallen servicemen, I thought it may be fitting to recount the life of one of the towns forgotten heroes. I am sure lots of the towns residents may well have heard of this old soldier but am equally positive that a great many are unaware of the story of the man and his deeds and life. This post is a chance to put that right.

James Donoghue enlisted into the 2nd Battalion of the 60th. Rifles in Ireland in 1844 at the tender age of 14 and was transferred to the 8th. Hussars in 1848. In April 1854 he embarked east on the H.T. Medora bound for the War in Crimea. The Crimean War took place between 1853 and 1856, with Imperial Russia on one side and an alliance including Britain and France on the other. Now promoted to band sergeant James was to act as field trumpeter for Colonel Shewell and to become famous for sounding the charge which initiated what is possibly one of the British Armies most glorious yet infamous actions in its history and was to become known as The Charge of the Light Brigade.

On October 25, 1854. the commander-in-chief of British troops during the Crimean War. Lord Fitzroy Somerset Raglan, issued an ambiguous order that his subordinates misinterpreted, resulting in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade against a heavily defended Russian position. Facing artillery and musket fire on three sides, British cavalrymen were slaughtered in droves as they galloped headlong down the so-called "valley of death." Yet because they maintained discipline amid the chaos and even managed to briefly scatter the Russians, the British public glorified them. One participant would later describe it as "the most magnificent assault known in military annals and the greatest blunder known to military tactics."

During me charge Sgt. Donoghue had a very narrow escape and in his account of the ill fated ettadr he reported "The 8th Hussars continued to advance and when we had got considerably beyond the Russian battery which had been in our front, we were halted for a few seconds. Some Russian cavalry then formed in our rear to cut off our retreat. Colonel Shewell gave the order to wheel; we wheeled round and under orders from Colonel Shewell we cut our way through the Russian cavalry. After this my horse was shot. After I had recovered from the stunning effects of the fail, I stripped my horse of my kit, and placing it on my arm, I made the best of my way back to my regiment."

Sometime after his military service James settled in Warrington where he became a well known and respected. if not a wealthy, figure. An article appeared in the local press in 1875 detailing how he was unable to attend the 1st Balaclava reunion banquet in London as he was unable to afford the fare to travel.

As this snippet from his obituary in the local press shows, there was plenty of interest in the old soldier "(James Donoghue) became tired of the quiet life of a village and was engaged by a public entertainer to lecture from town to town on his experiences in the Crimea, in which capacity he was very successful. his graphic description of the dangers and excitement of a military life never failing to interest."

Sergeant James Donoghue lies buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Penketh where our hero ended what was a very eventful life.

He passed away from dropsy in his home at Bank Cottages, Penketh, on the 17th November 1894 aged 65. His headstone had to be paid for by friends and admirers. It can still be seen if you visit the cemetery which is kept in beautiful order by the volunteers of the Friends of St. Mary Cemetery group.

In an age where the terms "hero" and "legend" have passed into mediocrity with their attribution to people who can kick a ball or sing a song it seems fitting to remember the extraordinary actions of people who truly deserve such accolades. So perhaps on 12th November, Remembrance Sunday, when we pay our respects to the fallen from the 2 World wars and later conflicts it may be a nice gesture to spare a thought for Sergeant James Donoghue who's bravery and courage under fire and against insurmountable odds brought him back safely from one of our most notorious military campaigns. Better still you could pay his grave a visit and place a poppy there.

It seems only fitting to leave the final words to Alfred, Lord Tennyson whose powerful and famous poem captures the "Charge" much more poignantly than I ever could.

'Forward, the Light Brigade!'

'Was there a man dismayed?

Not though the soldier knew

Some one had blundered

Theirs not to make reply,

Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do and die

Into the valley of Death

Rode the Six hundred.

[Source: Warrington Worldwide: Paul Jackson, "Appeal for a forgotten hero to be remembered", 8th October 2017 (accessed 9.10.2017). Punctuation as in the original.