LAST SURVIVORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23082, 7 January 1937, Page 5

LAST SURVIVORS

FAMOUS CAMPAIGNS CRIMEA AND THE MUTINY Only 12 survivors of the Crimean and Indian Mutiny campaigns are now known to be alive. As the Crimean war was fought in 1854-56, and the Indian Mutiny in 1857-58, the age of any survivors must naturally be very great, the former war being 89 years ago and the latter over 79 years ago. To trace these survivors has been ver\ difficult. Many regimental records and pension rolls are either not complete or do not exist. It is due to the devoted work of a few friends of the old soldiers of those days who have compiled and kept records from year to year that the list of survivors can be made. Among them the work of Mr A. J. Waterfleld, of Worthing, has been of great help. In 1929 there were 112 survivors of the two campaigns. Naturally the oroportion of officer survivors was high, os it was easier to trace officers than the men. 45 IN A YEAR In 1929 45 veterans died, 29 of the Crimea (16 officers and 13 men) and 16 of the Indian Mutiny (10 officers and six men). Their average age was 931. Of the 67 known survivors in 1932, 22 more died in 1931 and 13 in 1932. The average age had gone up to nearly 95. The last survivor who served in both campaigns died in 1931. He was Mr R Watson, late of the Gloucestershire Regiment (the 28th Foot), who died in South Australia. The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, lost its last veteran of these wars in 1932. The last survivor of the Battle of Inkerman was Mr J. P. Wellspring, of Catford, and of the famous charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, Mr W. T. D. Taylor, who reached his century. Ealing had a famous Mutiny veteran, the late Colonel Osmond Barnes, a man of great stature (6ft 6in), who was chosen to be the herald of the Indian Empire when the Crown took over India. Gradually the gallant band of heroes has become smaller and smaller. Last year the known survivors numbered 18, 11 of the Crimea and seven of the Mutiny. Centenarians nearly all. Mr J. J. Tyrell, of Harwich, 100 years of age; Mr Robert Sims, of Ontario, Canada, 106;,another Anglo-Canadian, Coloursergeant W. Clarke, late of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, and Mr E. J. Owen, of Slough, a naval veteran. THE GALLANT NINE At the beginning of this year the number was 14. But already two more have gone, Colonel Robert Spottiswoode and Major George Forde, of Brentwood, who died a few days ago. All who are left are 12, nine of the Crimea and three of the Mutiny. One of the Mutiny survivors. Captain E. Kitson, of Newton Abbot, Devon, is the last survivor of the capture of Lucknow. The nine survivors of the Crimea are: Lieutenant-colonel C. E. Theobald late of the Border Regiment; Coloursergeant James Gray, late Royal Marines, of Soulhsea; Paymaster-in-chief F. J. P. Shapcotc, R.N., of Devonport; Mr John Birch, of Ontario, Canada: Colonel Bell Crompton, of Kensington; Mr G. Tullock, of Hull (H.M.S. Majestic); Mr Alexander Young, of Sussex (H.M.S. Mogara); Mr M. Gill, of New Zealand, late the Middlesex Regiment; and Colonel Sir Filzroy Maclean, Bart., of Argyll (late 13lh Light Dragoons). Next month Colonel Theobald and Colour-sergeant Gray will bo 100; while Colonel Sir Fil?roy Maclean is 101 on May 18. Mr John Birch will soon be 112.

The “ baby ” of the group is Colonel Bell Crompton, of Triplands. Kensington, who is only 91. Colonel Crompton was a young cadet in the navy in the Crimea, later became an infantry soldier, and then a Royal Engineer. He has the unique and most remarkable record of having been employed specially in France during the Great War—despite his then ago—and holds both the Crimean and Groat War medals.

The Mutiny survivors are Colonel George Chrystie; Mr C. G. Palmer, of British Columbia: and Captain E Kitson. of Newton Abbot. Devon. When will the last survivor of the Great War (1914-1918) fade away? Possibly there will be some living in A.D 2014.