JOHN Howes survived one of Britain's worst military disasters - but he now lies forgotten in a Birmingham cemetary.
Howes was buried in Lodge Hill cemetery, in Selly Oak, following his death on Christmas Day 1902, nearly 50 years after he became one of 'the gallant 600' who charged the Russian guns during the Crimean War.
Now, on the 150th anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade, which saw 157 British soldiers killed or wounded, a city councillor has urged the young to take pride in our military past and get the stones cleaned up.
Culture
Coun Peter Douglas Osborn (Cons, Weoley) said: 'The graves of our war dead give young people a sense of our culture.
'We need to make our youth proud of our heritage and the best way to start is by cleaning up gravestones and monuments such as this. I would really like to see a tribute and some recognition for a man who is one of our greatest local heroes.'
John Howes was a sergeant in the 4th Light Dragoons when he and his comrades launched their suicidal attack during the battle of Balaclava, headlong into Russian artillery while strafed from either side by cannon.
He later recalled: how he was one of the last to set out on the charge. 'It was not a fault of my own, it was owing to a brute of a horse I had, not my own,' he said.
'Apart from a slight cut to the head, occasioned by a set-to with a Russian hussar, I escaped without any serious injury.'
Sgt Howes later became a Troop Sergeant Major and the honorary treasurer of the Birmingham Military Veterans Association.
He lived in Spring Road, Edgbaston, and died of pneumonia, aged 73.
As official celebrations took place yesterday, the gravestone to another survivor of the charge who won the Victoria Cross for his bravery was unveiled at St Agatha's church, in Tamworth.
Samuel Parkes became only the second man to win the VC for killing six Cossacks to save the life of a bugler and his regiment's second in command.
A MEMORIAL plaque was unveiled in the home town of a Midlands soldier who won the Victoria Cross for bravery during the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Yesterday's service for Samuel Parkes, in St Editha's Church, Tamworth, Staffordshire, came on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the ill-fated manoeuvre during the Battle of Balaclava in 1854. Trooper Parkes, who was born in the town, was only the second man to be given the VC after he risked his life to save a regimental trumpeter and the second-in command of his regiment, the Queen's Royal Hussars.
But although the soldier survived the Crimean War, he died a pauper aged 49 in 1864 and was buried in an unmarked grave in London.
The service was a triumph for Peter Elkin, Parkes' great-great-great nephew, who has spent years researching his life story for a book, called Tamworth's Forgotten Hero.
Mr Elkin, aged 64, from Cheadle, Staffordshire, said: 'This is a significant day, not only because of he won the VC in the Charge of the Light Brigade, but also because it's the 150th anniversary. He also slipped into obscurity. Tamworth didn't really know of his existence.' The service was attended by members of the Queen's Royal Hussars and the British Legion.
