This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-37760430
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Marked grave for survivor of Charge of the Light Brigade | Marked grave for survivor of Charge of the Light Brigade |
(3 days later) | |
A man, believed to have been a Charge of the Light Brigade survivor, is to be recognised with a marked grave after a campaign by one of his descendants. | |
Private John Burton was buried in an unmarked grave at Welford Road Cemetery in Leicester, 15 years after the Crimean War. | Private John Burton was buried in an unmarked grave at Welford Road Cemetery in Leicester, 15 years after the Crimean War. |
About 300 British cavalrymen were killed or injured when they charged Russian artillery on 25 October, 1854. | About 300 British cavalrymen were killed or injured when they charged Russian artillery on 25 October, 1854. |
Mr Burton's relative Jason Robinson is to get a headstone installed next year. | Mr Burton's relative Jason Robinson is to get a headstone installed next year. |
More on this story and other news in Leicestershire | More on this story and other news in Leicestershire |
Alfred Lord Tennyson's the Charge of the Light Brigade poem has long held the public's imagination about the tragedy. | Alfred Lord Tennyson's the Charge of the Light Brigade poem has long held the public's imagination about the tragedy. |
The charge is considered to be a symbol of "glorious failure" by many historians. | The charge is considered to be a symbol of "glorious failure" by many historians. |
Pte Burton, who served with the 11th Hussars regiment, is thought to have been one of the lucky survivors - the only one from Leicester, it is believed. | |
Mr Robinson, from Aldershot, Hampshire, recently visited the grave for the first time. | Mr Robinson, from Aldershot, Hampshire, recently visited the grave for the first time. |
He said: "[John Burton] worked as a butcher in the Russell Square area [of Leicester] where he lived with his wife and four or five children. | He said: "[John Burton] worked as a butcher in the Russell Square area [of Leicester] where he lived with his wife and four or five children. |
"You would never think there was a grave, [it's] just flat grass. It's quite moving really. | "You would never think there was a grave, [it's] just flat grass. It's quite moving really. |
"Hopefully next year things will be changing... it's about time he was recognised. | "Hopefully next year things will be changing... it's about time he was recognised. |
"At least then it's there for all time and for other people to appreciate too as part of our history and culture." | "At least then it's there for all time and for other people to appreciate too as part of our history and culture." |
Alan Brown, from Leicester City Council, said the grave had had no memorial for about 150 years. | Alan Brown, from Leicester City Council, said the grave had had no memorial for about 150 years. |
He said: "It's nice that family members this far after the burial are willing to come along and put up a memorial to [John Burton]. | He said: "It's nice that family members this far after the burial are willing to come along and put up a memorial to [John Burton]. |
"To have someone from the Charge of the Light Brigade interred [here] is great news for the cemetery and visitors." | "To have someone from the Charge of the Light Brigade interred [here] is great news for the cemetery and visitors." |
The Charge of the Light Brigade 1854 | The Charge of the Light Brigade 1854 |
Source: National Archives | Source: National Archives |