Unsung heroes: Crimean and Waterloo soldiers in Bradford cemeteries

Following this, in a couple of weeks’ time the local press in particular will also, with just cause, be remembering the World War One generation who lost over 1,000 young Bradfordians killed at the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916 - the worst day in Bradford’s history.

It is not surprising, therefore, that we might forget local heroes from earlier wars in the 19th century. But there are two unsung soldiers from the area with intriguing stories who we should not forget. Both ended up as pub landlords who doubtless shared their stories of bravery over a drink or two!

First, read this citation from a gravestone at Keighley’s Utley Cemetery: ‘In memory of the late Christopher Ingham, landlord of the Reservoir Tavern, Keighley, who died September 9, 1866, in the 80th year of his age. He was one of the heroes of the Peninsular War. For having served in the 95th regiment of Foot, for which he received the silver medal and 9 clasps for the engagements at Toulouse, Orthes, Pyrenees, Vittoria, Salamanca, Badajoz, Ciudad, Rodrigo, Fuentea, D’Oner and Busaco. He also received the medal for Waterloo.’

Christopher Ingham (1787-1866) survived 10 battles against Napoleon’s forces in Spain, France and Belgium between 1807 and 1815. This included the Spanish Peninsula War and then the Battle of Waterloo, for which he won several medals.

His outstanding military record over nearly a decade makes him the earliest known ordinary soldier to become a military hero in the Bradford and district area - the record scarcely bettered by anyone in the 200 years since.

We know little else about Ingham, except that after the war he settled in Keighley and took over as landlord of the Reservoir Tavern. Such a war record might well have been remembered with a Victoria Cross, had this award existed in 1815.

Second, consider the story of Private Matthew Hughes (1822-1882) who did receive a Victoria Cross a couple of generations later. His graveyard citation reads: ‘Private Matthew Hughes No 1879 Pte 7th Royal Fusiliers was noticed by Colonel Campbell, 90th Light Infantry, on 7th June 1855, at the storming of the quarries, for twice going for ammunition, under heavy fire, across the open ground; he also went to the front, and brought in Pte John Hampton, who was lying severely wounded; and on June 18 1855 he volunteered to bring in Lieut. And Adjutant Hobson, 7th Royal Fusiliers, who was lying severely wounded and in the act of doing so was severely wounded himself.’

Undercliffe Cemetery contains many secrets of fascinating stories uncovered by its volunteers. Some of the most interesting are hidden from its great terrace running right through the cemetery, giving panoramic views over the city and hills beyond. The moving memorial to Private Matthew Hughes lies in an obscure corner of the cemetery, near to where he was born in Wapping Road.

The moving memorial to Pte Matthew Hughes in Undercliffe Cemetery (Image: Martin Greenwood)

In the Crimean War he was the first Bradford-born soldier to win the Victoria Cross. Introduced by Queen Victoria for the Crimean War (1853 -1856), it is the most prestigious award, given for gallantry ‘in the presence of the enemy’ to members of the British Armed Forces, officers and men without distinction. The medal itself has the distinctive inscription - ‘For Valour’.

Pte Matthew Hughes was the first Bradford-born soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross (Image: Martin Greenwood)

This award belonged to the first batch of 62 Victoria Crosses. Uniquely, this batch was the only one to be presented by Queen Victoria herself. The ceremony took place at Hyde Park. Tens of thousands of people attended, including Prince Albert. The queen rode on horseback towards the line of men ready to receive their medals, but she did not dismount and awarded the medals from her horse. As each man came forward, his name was read out along with the name of his regiment. The queen pinned the medal to the man’s chest.

In fact, Hughes had a chequered military career. Aged 18, he enlisted in the 7th Royal Fusiliers at Leeds. In the Crimea he was promoted in January 1855 to corporal and then to sergeant nine months later, but then court-martialled and reduced to private, before being pardoned.

There were several other brushes with military authority. Never confirmed, the reason might have been drink.

He returned to Bradford in 1861, married, became a recruiting sergeant and with his wife ran a pub called the Gardeners Arms until he died in 1882 from cirrhosis of the liver.

* Martin Greenwood’s book Every Day Bradford provides a story for each day of the year about people, places and events from Bradford’s history. It is available from Amazon, thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk and most bookshops and online book stores.