Grave - Matthew Hughes VC (1822 to 9th January 1992)

Bradford’s Undercliffe Cemetery is a 26-acre Victoria affair with the “rich bit” at the centre - big, bold brilliant graves of the wealthy competing to be buried forever under works fitting their status. The grave I was looking for lies on the perimeter in an overgrown area, difficult to find without a map. Under trees and the threat of being claimed by tangling bushes it’s where brave dude Private Matthew Hughes lies forever (it's as though he doesn't want to be found.) He fought and was injured twice in the Crimean War.

He was born not far from this grave and enlisted in the 7th Royal Fusiliers sometime prior to the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854. He was posted to the Crimean Peninsula (now Ukraine) and spent most of his days in trenches during the Siege of Sebastopol. On the Thursday 7th June 1855 the 27-year-old was involved in storming and area to take possession of it. The regiment was under heavy gunfire from the Russians. Twice Matthew ran across open ground to collect more ammunition for the troops. The probability of returning alive was almost nil but somehow he managed it though an exploding shell gave him a kneecap wound. Further armed the regiment was allowed to continue the charge. Matthew was also witnessed making his way to the front of the line to rescue Private John Hampton who was lying severely wounded in open terrain (he later died of his wounds.)

Eleven days later Matthew's bravery was witnessed again. The regiment were overthrowing Redan and he volunteered without hesitation to sprint across No Man's Land to rescue a severely wounded officer. Though a musket ball slammed into his foot he managed to get the wounded soldier back to safety. Matthew recovered from his wounds and returned to England. He was one of the first men to be gazetted for the Victoria Cross and was one of 62 men who attended the first investiture in Hyde Park in London to receive the medal; it's thought nearly 100,000 people were in attendance. Prince Albert and all the elder members of the Royal Family were in attendance including Prince Frederick William of Prussia and the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria. Oddly Queen Victoria appeared on a horse and presented medals to the soldiers without dismounting.

Almost nothing is known of Matthew's life following retirement from the Army. He married Elizabeth Roberts but she died within five years. He married again to Ellen Wilson. It's thought he was a labourer of sorts. He drew £10/year pension which was doubled as he was a VC recipient. He died aged 59/60 at his lodgings less a mile from this grave. This headstone was renovated after being discovered in an overgrown state. His medals are on display in the Tower of London. I did a stiff salute and left.

A final salute...