THE funeral of a veteran of the Crimean war was reported in the Malvern Gazette a century ago.
Mr J Day of Portland Cottage, West Malvern, had originally come from Yorkshire. At the time of his death, aged 77, he was employed by Lady Frances Baillie-Hamilton, of Maynard Cottage, as a gardener.
Mr Day joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 17 in April 1845 and was on active service in the Crimea and Turkey. He fought at Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and was later stationed in Bermuda.
"When 50 years of age, he received a pension, his discharge bearing the words 'his conduct had been very good'."
The Gazette also reported that Mr Day had been offered the chance to go to Chelsea, presumably as one of the Chelsea Pensioners, but had preferred to remain in West Malvern.
"In the beautiful churchyard of West Malvern, the remains of the old Crimean war veteran were laid to rest on Monday afternoon amid manifestations of deep regret," said the report.
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