Jeffcott, Charles

Crimean Veterans.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, I am very sorry to say, sir, that there are only a few old veterans left to take part in the re-union of the soldiers and sailors who served in the Crimean War. Fifty years have passed since those memorable days, and we have never yet had a re-union. A few of the old Diehards have responded, and I am looking forward to having a good time on the 5th of November Inkerman Day. The few old veterans who have passed both bullets are going to have a dinner and a talk over old times and such memorable events as the charge of the Light Brigade, the Battle of Inkerman; the Storming of Sebastopol, and the hardships of the first winter in the Crimea, when thousands perished for the want of food and clothing, or were frozen to death.

Memorable is the charge of the Light and. Heavy Brigades at Balaclava. I was on outlying picquet duty on the River Tchernaya, with James McCauley. We gave the alarm that the Cossacks were on us, and when daylight came on the morning of the 25th Sir Colin Campbell, with his Highland Brigade, was waiting for them. We were engaged half an hour before the cavalry came from Lord Raglan. Trusting all the veterans that can possibly come will communicate with me without further delay.— I am, etc., CHARLES JEFFCOTT. Late 57th.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11392, 24 October 1904, Page 7