DEATH OF BALACLAVA VETERAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1915, Page 10 (Supplement)

DEATH OF BALACLAVA VETERAN.

ONE OF THE FAMOUS SIX HUNDRED. Christchureh, Wednesday. On the day that the young New Zcahinders returned to Christchureh after lighting the Turks at Oallipoti, there passed away in this city a soldier who noblv took' his part in the Empire'* battles some sixty years ago. Then, n* now. Oreat Britain' was engaged in a world-shaking struggle. The scene was not far from the place where New Zeahuiders lately demonstrated their courage and intrepidity, but on that occasion the Empire confronted one of its present Allies on behalf of one of its present enemies. The soldier was .Mr. .lames Drysdale Wilson, who died at his residence in the city on Saturday at the age of eighty four years. lie was born in Edinburgh in 1851. When he was a young man of twenty, with all the world before him. and with the fire and energy of vout.li. he joined the lOtn Royal Hussars.' He was a tall, soldierly man. an ideal dashing cavalry soldier. His regiment was stationed in India, and he saw some lighting there for,a short time. Then came war with Russia, and he, with two other hussars, was sent to the Crimea, to take up ground for th regiment, which followed soon afterwards. He reached the battlefield on the eve of Balaclava, was drafted into the Light Brigade, and, took pari in the glorious ride of the Six Hundred who charged the Russian guns. He was wounded, but survived, and. with the remnant of the brigade, received the honor he had earned. He saw further service in the Crimea, was a member of the escort at Lord Itaghm's funeral, and afterwards beanie orderly fo funeral Wyndham, Commandant of Sebasfopol. When peace was declared, he returned to England. He had three brothers in NewZealand. On their representations. he came to this country, arriving in 1 S.V.I in Christchureh, where lie livd ever since

Mr. "Wilson possessed three medals. Hie rndian, (lie Crimean, and the Turkisli. When bis Majesty Hie King visited Christelmrch lie liad a conversation witii Mr. Wilson, and said that Mr. Wilson was (lie lirsl. member of (lie KUll Tills<>ars lie had met during hi* tour of (lie colonies. One of Mr. Wilson's most eh■•r ished |iossessions was a rare hook written on the Crimean campaign by a nienilier of his regiment. About tliree years a«o lie was married a seeond lime (o a lady who was seventv-live. Before their marriage they were'nexf door neighbors, and for a. few vears Mr. Wilson, who had heen somewhat feeble, bad been 100k...! after bv his neighbor, Itotli were informed 'thai, their houses were old and must be pulled down, and that th-v must, leave tliem. In order I bat IV old lady might, eontinne to look after Mr. Wilson, they were married, the ceremony taking place in Christchiuch on .September 2, 1»12.