OLDEST WARRIOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 604, 5 March 1929, Page 15

OLDEST WARRIOR

Drew Lots for V.C. Seventy Years Ago MEMORIES OF NOBLEST WOMAN ; Who is the oldest ex-service man ill Britain? So far as is known, he is a veteran who drew lots for the Victoria Cross more than 70 years ago—ex-Sergeant-Major Charles Dawes, late of the Eighth King's Royal Irish Hussars (says the “Sunday News”). The incident which very nearly brought the V.C. to the gallant old veteran occurred on June 17, ISSS, and it is historic because of its connection with the death of that formidable fighting woman in the Indiari Mutiny, the Rani of Jhansi. Following is the description by the late Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., in his “Revolt in Hindustan,” of the Eighth Hussars’ exploit: "A squadron, Eighth Hussars, led by Captains Hicksand Heneage, went headlong with such determination into the enemy’s ranks that both foot and horse fled, abandoning two guns. Alone, in a man’s dress, and riding astride, the Rani faced the oncoming squadron, until her horse wheeled round, and in spite of her efforts fol lowed its companions. It stumbled and fell in crossing the canal near Morar, and a hussar cut down what seemed to him to be a big man, but who was, although a woman, the bravest and most implacable of our foes. The men of the Eighth Hussars could scarcely sit on their horses, for the heat was intense.” It was generally admitted that the whole squadron was deserving of the V.C., but under rule 13 of the original Victoria Cross warrant no more than four crosses could be granted—one to an officer, one to an N.C.0., and two to privates, by ballot. Drawing Lots Sergeant-Major Dawes once said: “When Queen Victoria awarded the four crosses, we had to draw lots for them. I was one of the unlucky ones, and so did not get the V.C.” The fortunate recipients were Captain Heneage, Sergeant Ward, Farrier Hollis, and Private Pearson. Another member of the Eighth Hussars, Sergeant-Major Champion, earned the V.C. for bravery at Beejapore less than three months later. Dawes was also present when the late Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood (then only a lieutenant) earned his V.C. at Sindwaho, being indeed within 20 yards of him. Dawes, a fine and highly respected war veteran, will soon be 95. He enlisted in. the Second Stafford Militia in 1853, and was transferred to the Eighth Royal Irish Hussars soon after the outbreak of the Crimean War, went through his riding course at the Newbridge Depot in Ireland, and was in the Crimea in 1855. The actual place where he joined his regiment was Balaclava, where the famous charge of the Light Brigade had been made the previous year. Sebastopol

Dawes was present at the fall of Sebastopol in September, 1855, after which his regiment went into winter quarters with the Tenth Hussars and the Seventeenth Lancers at one of the Turkish border towns. Dawes contracted cholera at Scutari as a result of being out in the pouring rain landing the staff officers’ horses, and then being forced to sleep in the stables in bis wet clothes. He says he owes his life during the three months he was In the Scutari barracks hospital to the devoted attention of Miss Florence Nightingale, “the lady of the lamp.” Among his most treasured possessions are two letters autographed by Miss Nightingale. One of these, dated August 29, 1594, reads:

Pear Sir, —T have received your kind Tetter. I am always full of work, which T am thankful I am still able to do, though a prisoner, from illness, in my room. Yet I cannot help sending, as you desire, a greeting to my old comrades. And let me remind them that we can tight still, though not in war. “the good tight of faith”—the faith that God is on our side, and we must be on his side, and not go over to the enemv. If every woman and child did this who say the prayer “Thy Kingdom come,” why, the Kingdom of Heaven would come within, and then we should make it without, to. God speed you. The faithful servant of our soldiers, FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.

Dawes served for some time with the Twelfth Lancers, and was for a time servant to the captain of his troop, and then rejoined his own old regiment at Ismid. Later he served in Ireland, and then in the Indian Mutiny, his commanding officer at that time being Colonel Rudolph de Salis. The Eighth Hussars were with the Rajputana Field Force, under General Roberts, uncle of the late Earl Roberts. He fought in many big engagements, including the capture

of Gwalior aud the operations at Sindwaha. Sergeant-Major Dawes cannot always be persuaded to relate all the incidents in his long aud memorable war experiences, but he came in contact w ith Captain X-ord Hatherton. of the Stafford Militia, and Colonel Rudolph de Salis, aud at various times acted as personal orderly to Lord Seaton, then commander of the forces in Ireland: H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge: and many other well known generals of those times. A splendid horseman, and always a first-class soldier of exemplary smartness, he was also selected as a member of personal escorts to Oueen Victoria and King Edward VII. (when Prince of Wales). Dawes holds the Crimean. Turkish, Indian Mutiny, aud long service and good conduct medals. He served in India for several years after the mutiny, and on returning to England w’as for a time on duty in Manchester during the Fenian troubles. Later he was discharged, having completed over 19 years’ colour service, and he bore a valiant part in forming the Birmingham MilitaryVeterans’ Association of Crimean and Indian Mutiny men.