Born at Huntingdon, the son of George Pumfrett of Huntingdon and his wife Maria, the daughter of G.M. Middleton, Esq., of 1 Middleton Park Villas, Haverstock Hill, London.
He must have understated his age for some reason (possibly because of the then age-limit of 25 years), having been born at Huntingdon on the 15th of September 1824.
George Pumfrett [junior] was employed in the family brewing business and had, according to a family story, run away to join the Army before, saying he was "fed-up with quill-pushing", but was bought out by his irate parents.
[PB, March 2014: I wonder which regiment?]
He was apparently very fond of horses and rode with the local hunt. (This trait is present in his descendants, some of whom are well-known in horse-trials and shows).
His father apparently gave up the brewing business and went into a new system of grass-drying for winter animal feed. It was not successful and he is said to have committed suicide. George Pumfrett's joining the Army a second time may have been a consequence of this.
His father, George Betts Pumfrett, had married Maria Brighty at Ramsey, near Huntingdon on the 31st of July 1821. He died at Sydenham and was buried in St. John's churchyard at Huntingdon in 1851, at the age of 51 years.
From the Cambridge Independent Press, Saturday, 13th of September 1851:
"Death — At Sydenham, near London, on the 4th inst. George Betts Pumfrett, Esq., lately an eminent brewer and twice Mayor of Huntingdon. His remains were interred in the family vault in St John's churchyard, Huntingdon, on Thursday last. (Buried 11th of September aged 51.) "
[PB, March 2014: Note that George Pumfrett enlisted only a fortnight after his father's death, and as an ordinary soldier.]
His mother died two years later, at the age of 53. From the Cambridge Independent Press, 16th of July 1853:
"Death — At Ramsey [Huntingdonshire], on the 11th inst., Maria, widow of G.B. Pumfrett, Esq., aged 53.
She too was buried in the family vault. From all known information, only she is recorded on the stone vault.
Enlisted at Woolwich on the 16th of September 1851.
Age: 24.
Height: 5' 9".
Trade: Brewer.
He was a Rough Rider in the regiment during 1853.
From Private to Corporal: 24th of May 1854.
[PB, March 2014: Family tradition suggests he rode in the Charge, that his horse was shot under him, and that he walked back unwounded. See Further information, below.]
Corporal to Sergeant: 1st of January 1855.
The Scutari muster rolls show him as having been at Scutari 1st of January 1855 — 23rd of February 1855, and a Hospital Clerk there 1st — 22nd of February 1855 and being returned to his unit the next day.
Appointed to Orderly Room Clerk (on probation) from the 20th of June 1855.
Allowed to revert to Duty Sergeant, "at his own request", on the 28th of August 1857.
Promoted to Troop Sergeant Major on the 7th of September 1857 and sent to the Cavalry Depot at Canterbury on the 1st of October 1858.
At the Riding Establishment, Maidstone, during the early part of 1858 and appointed Riding Master on the 15th of June 1858. Relative to this appointment, the following letter is in existence:
"Cavalry Depot, Maidstone, 3rd June 1858:
Sir, — With reference to your letter of the 9th September 1857, I have the honour to report that Troop Sergeant Major Geo, Pumfrett of the 17th Lancers has gone through the course of equitation practised at this Establishment and is fit for the duties of a Riding Master.
I have the honour to be, etc, etc,.
Charles Wm. Morley Balders, CB.
Commandant.
The General Commanding-in-Chief, War Office."
Embarked for India aboard the "Sardinia" on the 8th of September 1858. He landed at Bombay on the 13th of January 1859, and joined the regiment on the 23rd of March.
To Cornet and Adjutant (without purchase) from the 30th of December 1858 and to Lieutenant on the 24th of June 1862.
The India Office records show him as having married Edith Winifred Middleton at Belarum, India, on the 12th of July 1863. His full name was shown as George Bright Pumfrett, and both were described as being "of full age".
His father was named as George Betts Pumfrett and hers as Gabriel Middleton. The witnesses were named as George Joy, B. Abadie and L. McDonagh. The ceremony was conducted by the Revd. H.R. James.
The India Office records also show the birth of a daughter, Winifred, at Secunderbad, India, on the 24th of October 1864, and baptised there on the 20th of November by the Revd. George English, Chaplain.
Paymaster in the 103rd Foot: 15th of May 1866.
Honorary Captain: 15th of May 1871.
Paymaster in the 25th Foot: 23rd of October 1875.
Honorary Major: 15th of August 1881.
Paymaster of No. 6 Regimental District: 1st of March 1884.
Retired, as Honorary Lt. Colonel, on the 16th of September 1886.
The Royal Army Pay Corps records show that Pumfrett retired from the 17th Lancers by the "sale of his commission" on the 30th of April 1866, before becoming Pay-master of the 103rd Foot in May of 1866.
He later served twice in India, from June 1866 to February 1871 and again October 1875 to January 1884. He retired from the Army with a pension of £300 per annum.
1891 Census
21, South Park, Wimbledon.
George Pumfrett, 64, retired Lt Co Army Pay Corps, born All Saints, Huntington.
E.W, 53, wife.
Two sons shown: A.J., 21, and L.R.H., 18.
Also his sister-in-law and a Cook and Housemaid.
1901 Census
35, South Park Road, South Wimbledon.
The 1901 Census shows him aged 74, married, a "Lt. Col ret list A.P.Dept". Also shown is his wife Edith, 63, born at Islington, Middlesex, and a son, Leonard R.H., 28, a stockbroker, single, born at Hale, Surrey.
A sister-in-law, Amy B. Middleton, 69, was present in the household, as well as a domestic housemaid and a cook.]
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
Can find no trace on the Mutiny medal roll.
Awarded the Afghan War Medal, 1879-80. Served in the Peshawar Field Force during this campaign.
There is a photograph of his group of medals and also of himself in the uniform of the 17th, and as an old man, in the 17th Lancer file.
Died at East Molesey, Surrey, on the 31st of October 1906.
From the "Deaths" column of The Times:
"On the 31st of October 1906 at 'Highclere', Arniston Road, East Molesey, Surrey, Lieut. Colonel George Pumfrett, late of the A.P.D. and the 17th Lancers, in his 81st year. No flowers, by request."
There is a copy of his obituary, also taken from The Times, 3rd of November 1906, in the 17th Lancer file. [TO BE ADDED]
He was buried in St. Peter's churchyard, West Molesey. A stone was erected and the inscription reads:
"In memory of Lt. Col. George Pumfrett. Died 31st of October 1906, aged 80 years. Thy will be done. Also of Winifred Edith Pumfrett, wife of the above, who died 22nd of June 1920, aged 82 years. Simply to The Cross I cling."
A few yards away is another grave, the stone bearing the words:
"In loving memory of Mabel Pumfrett, who died 5th of January 1929, aged 61 years. Also of Arthur Powys John Pumfrett, who died 10th of May 1942, aged 72 years. (Husband of the above.)"
(There are photographs of both graves in the 17th Lancer file.)
"Whilst on holiday recently I visited Belvoir Castle to see the 17th Lancer's Museum there, my grandfather, George Brighty [sic] Pumfrett, having served with the regiment throughout the 1850s.
We have several personal relics, including medals and a photograph of him. We do not know its exact date, but presumably his uniform would identify his rank. Canon Lummis's book [Honour the Light Brigade] gives his promotion dates.
This book also shows his name in small letters, denoting that as far as is known, Corporal Pumfrett, as he was then, did not ride in the Charge. This is directly contrary to what we have always heard, which was that his horse was shot under him, and that he managed to make his way back un-wounded, and on foot. This story is not a legend from the past, but based on virtually contemporary information.
In 1858, Grandfather was appointed Riding Master to the Regiment. The following year, I think, he found himself able to purchase his commission. He was with the regiment when it sailed for India, and in 1863, he married. The marriage certificate states that he was "Lieutenant in H.M.'s 17th Lancers," being resident in Secunderbad. He soon found out that, financially, he would be unable to remain in the Lancers and transferred to the 103rd Regiment as Paymaster. From then on, until his retirement in the 1880s, he served in India, only taking home leave occasionally.
Since he married whilst still in the regiment, his wife, my grandmother, must have known several, at least, of his fellow officers and it seems extremely unlikely that the "story" of his having ridden was untrue. It was always regarded as an "incident" in the family, and I know that my father, although extremely proud of his father's experiences, was far too diffident to boast about them, as was my grandfather.
One further point: my father used to say that the Duke of Cambridge considered my grandfather (presumably when he was Riding Master) to be the finest horseman at the Depot. I do not know whether you would consider these points as evidence that George Pumfrett did ride in the Charge but they may be some slight addition to the records of the Regiment."
Census information for 1891 kindly provided by Chris Poole.