604 All Saints-St Marys History
The Grave of Thomas Williams.
Thomas Williams is buried in grave 690 of St. Mary’s Church, Towerlands Street. He died on 19th May 1887. Thomas Williams took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War in 1854.
​
Although he was from London, he used to live in 36 Clint Road, Liverpool, just off Edge Lane.
On his gravestone are written the words,
​
“One of the Balaklava Heroes”
​
Thomas Williams was a member of the 11th Hussars.
​
​
​
Thomas Williams family background.
Thomas was born in Southwark, London 26 Sept 1830 where the family were hat and cap manufacturers. This trade they continued when they moved to Colchester before going to Liverpool to live and work. Thomas was a Sunday school teacher during his time in Colchester. On his return from the Crimea the people of Colchester collected and funded a commerative bound in Morocco clasped pocket bible together with remaining collection funds which they presented to him.
Thomas had a brother William. William was also in the Hussars with Thomas.
​
William was born 1836 Southwark - died 1880, dying in Portsmouth, he did not take part in the charge as he was ill and back at Varna, but first at Devna. He was ill when they arrived in the Crimea but kept trying to join his regiment eventually arriving a few days after the charge and was sent back to Scutari. This is recorded in a letter Thomas wrote to his father, mother and family in Colchester written 6 Jan 1855 and published in the Essex Standard and General Advertiser for the Eastern Counties on 26 Jan and again on 31 Jan. It also appeared in the Patriotic Fund Journal.
​
Thomas Williams became a Workhouse master after leaving the Hussars in 1862 as a Sargent, he worked with his family and then when they moved to Liverpool he began his new career working in a number until he ran Birkenhead Workhouse with his wife as Master and matron for a number of years. He gave evidence at a dreadful baby farming case where he had tried to save some children who arrived at the workhouse in a dreadful state of neglect. He retired due to ill health following injury and his last work was as a guide and attendant at the Liverpool Exhibition. Thomas was known for his 'genial and kindly disposition'. He was a great orator and gave many public addresses on his military experiences in aid of charitable onjectives. He would recite Lord Tennyson's famous poem at gatherings but could never finish for the tears which over came him.
​
These two people are the 2nd great grand uncles. via their younger sister Louisa of Leonora Critchlow ( nee Hassall) who kindly provided the above information.
​
The Battle of Balaklava
The Battle of Balaklava took place in the Crimean War in 1854 . England and her allies were fighting Russia. As a result of a misunderstanding between Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan, 632 soldiers of the Light Brigade attacked the Russian guns at the end of a valley. The soldiers had to ride one and a quarter miles up the valley with Russian canons on three sides of them firing at them.
​
Of the 632 men that charged up the valley, 110 were killed in action, 196 were wounded, 57 were taken prisoner and 362 horses were killed. Amazingly, 276 men rode back down the valley with hardly a scratch.
This brave action inspired Tennyson to write his famous poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade."
A French observer Marshal Pierre Bosquet commented,
“It is magnificent. But it is not war. It is madness.”
​
​
Thomas Williams.
Informal picture of Thomas Williams.
On the back of the Ambrotype -Taken by A Doherty, 131a City Road, Hulme.
​
He wears his Crimea medal with four clasps ; Sebastopol, Inkermann, Balaklava and Alma.
​
​
​
The Charge of the Light Brigade
By Alfred Lord Tennyson
1.
Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade! "Charge for the guns!" he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
2.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldier knew Someone had blunder'd: 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.
3.
Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred.
4.
Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air, Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred.
5.
Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred.
6.
When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made, Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred.