Sergeant Joseph Pardoe (1820 to 4^th July 1889)

I found this soldier's grave in a part of Southern Cemetery (Manchester) which receives few visitors. The stones are so old it's rare to find any flowers or objects on them. Sometimes you see a name which has been cleaned up with bleach and a scrubbing brush, sometimes a flowers, sometimes a rosary. Considering they've been stood outside for over 120 winters the headstones are in a good condition and most carvings are legible.

Have you heard of the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade - the British charged at a well-defended Russian position suffering heavy casualties with no gains. Before it was the Charge of the Heavy Brigade. Sergeant Joseph was present. He was part of the Anglo-French army sent to support the Ottoman empire in its war against the Russians. On 25th October 1854 about 670 British heavy cavalry charged at 3000 Russian soldiers. It was more of a charge than a fight and was over in ten minutes. About ten British men were killed and 98 were wounded. Anyway Joseph was there that Wednesday but whether he fought is unknown. Perhaps he was at the back of the pack. He died aged 69 years old, a good run for that era.

I went for quick look at his grave though I'm surprised the Charge of the Heavy Brigade even made the history books. All those men, horses and guns prepared for a battle that was just a ten minute scrap. What happened? Why did it stop so quickly? Was it tea-time? Had someone left a tap running? Did someone decide it was such a sunny day they'd better not spoil it with a scrap? I did a salute and left.