Crimean War Diary – Part Five

Battle of Inkerman

Continuing …

Extracts from the diary of Crimea War Veteran – John Harris.

Nov. 1. – In Sebastopol on fatigue. The Russians keep up a very heavy fire on the town. A man was riding a donkey after firewood near the dockyard wall when a shell came over and passed right through the donkey without scarring the man in the least.

Nov. 5. – Took a walk over to look at Inkerman, twelve months after the battle. The skulls and bones of the dead are still lying about in thousands. The eagles and the ravens have eaten the flesh. The Russian loss must have been very great that day. It is called Gotha, the place of skulls, to this day.

Nov. 7. – Under orders to march for Balaclava.

Nov. 8. – Arrived at Balaclava yesterday, rained in torrents during the whole of the march, wind cold, no fire, no food, clothes all wet, and had to let them dry on our backs.

Nov. 9. – Fever broke out in the Company. Our Company sergeant died this morning; great many on the sick list.

Nov. 12. – Cold winter wind is approaching. The Russians made a sortie, and were repulsed with heavy loss by the Sardinians.

Nov. 7. – Sickness on the decrease; one gunner died during the night. A tremendous explosion took place on the French Right Attack Gun Park, and spread into our gun park. A large quantity of powder and stores were destroyed, and a large number of English and French killed.

Nov. 18. – An attack expected from the Russians from the heights; firing towards Simperpool.

Nov. 25. – Snow fell heavy during the night. All hands are engaged hutting for the winter.

Nov. 29. – Firing very heavy all day. It is too cold for the Turks to work, but the Armenians are very good workmen.

Dec. 1. – Snow very deep and wind very very cold. The firing from the north side continues frequent during the day. The cattle exposed to the weather drop off; a great many found dead this morning on the plains.

Dec. 3. – The huts are nearly completed, although the men cannot get them brought up to the front on account of the severity of the weather.

Dec. 7. – Marched to Sebastopol to see the explosion of the docks.

Dec. 9. – The fire from the Russians very rapid, but little damage done to the town, excepting to break down the roofs of the of the houses, enabling our men to get wood without the trouble of sawing and cutting.

Dec. 20. – A heavy fall of snow occurred during the night. A Russian magazine blew up.

Dec. 21. – Rations very bad. Men are getting very sick, and scurvey is making its appearance amongst the men. The hospitals are all full, and the winds are still cold, with much rain.

Dec. 23. – The Russians are destroying the brushwood on the heights in order to get clear view of our encampment. Lime juice is being served out to the troops to prevent scurvy.

Dec. 25. – Christmas Day – holiday for most of the troops. Arrival of fresh supplies of warm underclothing. A hut burnt down and eight men of the Army Working Corps suffocated by the smoke.

Dec. 31. – Wrote a letter home to England. Snow fell very thick during the night; wind very cold. This day finishes out the old year, and I hope through the blessing of God, who has hitherto protected us through trials, we will be supported further.

The final instalment of this Crimean War Diary will be published tomorrow, concluding the life and times of John Harris, buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Crimean War Diary – Part Four

The death toll from disease rises as John writes in his diary – Oct 8. – Sickness dreadful. Sixty men in hospital; twenty men have to do the work of 100. If we stay here much longer we shall lose all our company. We came here a few days ago 126 strong, and we have only 58 left.

Continuing …

Extracts from the diary of Crimean War Veteran John Harris.

Sebastopol storming of the Great Redan

Oct. 1. – Ordered to march from the Windmill miles after much rain.

Oct. 2. – Arrived last night at the heights and encamped.

Oct. 3. – Went to Balaclava on “fatigue” after rations, but could not get any, biscuits all we have had for two days.

Oct. 4. – Two gunners fell sick and died. This evening one corporal and a bombardier died. Several more men sick.

Oct. 5. – Two more men died this morning.

Oct. 6. – Four men of our company died during the night. Two men died this evening; sickness on the increase.

Oct. 7. – Two sergeants and one lieutenant died this morning.

Oct. 8. – Sickness dreadful. Sixty men in hospital; twenty men have to do the work of 100. If we stay here much longer we shall lose all our company. We came here a few days ago 126 strong, and we have only 58 left.

Oct. 9. Orders came yesterday to remove to Kamara from this valley of death on account of sickness.

Oct. 10. – Marched to Kamara this morning. A great number of men fell out on the way from weakness.

Oct. 15. – Order to march to the right attack, so as to be employed in Sebastopol getting out the stores, and mounting guns.

Oct. 16. – Arrived at the Windmill Camp, right attack, yesterday evening, very much fatigued.

Oct. 17. – Employed in Sebastopol in raising the iron lock gates of the docks. The Russians fire at us from the Staff Fort, but very little damage, as all their shot and shell fired at short range.

Oct. 21. – In Sebastopol raising the ribs of the dock gate. Two of our men injured by a shell from the enemy.

Oct. 22. – The Russians are throwing up Battery on the left of the Staff Fort so as to prevent our men working.

Oct. 22. – The English destroyed the new battery yesterday by shelling the men out of it.

Oct. 24. – The Russians continued to fire all over the town with very little damage to anyone.

Oct. 25. – Two men blown up by a shell near the Creek battery.

Oct. 26. – The sappers are at work at the docks, sinking shafts in order to blow them up.

Oct. 27. – Rain fell in torrents the whole night; our tent nearly blown away. Heavy fire from the left.

Oct. 28. – Sun very warm; washed our dirty linen, which was very verminous.

Oct. 30. – Mounting guns in the Redan to be forwarded home to England.

Continued tomorrow …

Crimean War Diary – Part 5

Crimean War Diary – Part Three

This week I am publishing seven daily blog posts dedicated to John Harris – Crimean War Veteran, who is buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Florence Nightingale

Continuing …

Extracts from the diary of Crimean War Veteran – John Harris.

Sept. 13. – Wrote a letter to England. Cholera has made its appearance in our camp.

Sept. 14. – Heavy firing heard from the rear of General Tuder’s army.

Sept. 15. – Sickness very prevalent in the camp, and deaths numerous. The Russians fire at anything they see in Sebastopol; firing from the north side.

Sept. 16. – The French and English are constructing a battery for mortars and heavy metal to shell the north side.

Sept. 17. – Very warm; obliged to keep out of the sun during the day.

Sept. 18. – Several French and English killed in Sebastopol by the shot and shell from the north side.

Sept. 19. – Sickness on the increase. One of our sergeants and a gunner died, and were buried to-day. Several of our men very sick.

Sept. 20. – The Russians are making an inward journey towards the fortified camp at Simpherpool.

Sept. 21. – Very wet; the rain is coming in torrents.

Sept. 22. – Not a gun has been heard during the whole night or day.

Sept. 23. – Heavy thunder and lightning; accompanied by violent storms.

Sept. 24. – The Russians opened a tremendous fire on the town at daybreak to-day.

Sept. 25. – The fire yesterday did little or no damage. Two French sappers killed by the ruins of an old Russian house falling in on them.

Sept. 26. – The English opened a mortar battery opposite Fort Constantine – greatly to the annoyance of John O’Rush.

Sept. 27. – The Russians are occupied erecting a new battery on Sugar Loaf Hill.

Sept. 28. – Firing very heavy during the night from the Mackensie’s heights. Expecting an assault on our right from the traction bridge.

Sept. 29. – The whole army under arms ready for an attack.

Sept. 30. – Very heavy rain during the night; my kit is wet through, and my clothes have not been changed for the last 14 days.

Continued tomorrow …

Crimean War Diary Part Four

Crimean War Diary Part Two

This week I am publishing seven daily blog posts dedicated to John Harris – Crimean War Veteran, who is buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Embarkation of the Sick at Balaklava

Continuing …

Extracts from the diary of Crimean War Veteran – John Harris.

Fire!

The recorder, in his account of the voyage out to the Crimea, has a startling incident to note under date August 11, 1855. It is as follows:-

Sea very high, wind the same. Ship caught fire below, fire bell rang, boats were lowered, men looked wild and pale. Water in being poured in by tons, and about 2,000 blankets wetted and thrown on the fire. The men begin to look for a watery grave – there is no ship in sight, no land. The fire is gaining upon us.

Then after a break he goes on:-

We got the fire under by night. The damage done is considerable.

In The Trenches

And now we come to the campaign proper. The men reached the scene of action on August 31, for the record in the diary is as follows:-

August 31 – Arrived at Balaclava harbour, and for the first time heard the guns from Sebastopol. One man fell overboard and was drowned. Disembarked. On shore many curious sights, Jews, Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Tartars, Maltese, Spaniards, French. All ordered to march to the right attack, distance about nine miles. Dreadful sights on the way. Men exhausted, and worn out by fatigue. Pitch our tens. All hands for the trenches at 10 o’clock that night. Only had my clothes off once since I left England – that is 37 days. I laid down and went to sleep. Sun next day very warm, and I fell sick; two days without eating or drinking. Several men taken with the cramp and two died from the cholera. The firing is very heavy on our right. Several wounded brought up from the trenches. A powder magazine exploded in the French works.

Sept. 1. – Went into the trenches last night. Lost two men of our company. Firing was very heavy, and shot and shell thrown into the town in a great quantity. The town on fire in several parts, but extinguished towards morning.

Sept. 2 – Firing continues very heavy. A Russian man-of-war on fire. She went down at day break this morning.

Sept. 3 -Paraded for the trenches at 9 p.m. Lost two men and one sergeant in the advance trench on the right attack.

Sept. 4 – Firing continues to be very rapid. It must be impossible for them to withstand our fire which is from right to left.

Sept. 5. – Rapid firing night and day. Several explosions in Sebastopol, but cannot hear much for the thundering of our guns.

Sept. 6 – Paraded for the trenches at 9 a.m. Tremendous firing from our right and left. The Russians feebly reply to our fire.

Sept. 7. – The firing from our right is dreadful, also from the mortar battery in the quarries. The whole heavens illuminated by our fire.

Sept. 8. – Firing heavy. The very heavens and earth seem coming together. Explosions seen in Sebastopol; they reply to our fire but feebly; our loss was rather heavy yesterday.

Sept. 9. – Paraded last night at 10 p.m. for the trenches. Lost four men going in the advance trench, eight men wounded during the night, one corporal, one bombardier, and five gunners killed in our company. At 12-30 last night the Russians could not reply to our fire, when Capt. Vernon ordered us to cease firing as Sebastopol was in flames and the enemy retreating. We went on the parapet of the Battery, and saw our men going in over the Redan works. All firing ceased for a time, when a most dreadful explosion was heard. It was St. Nicholas which had been blown into the air by the Russians as they retreated. Just before daylight a shell was thrown from the staff fort on the north side into our battery, and exploding, killed four men, one lieutenant, one bombardier. Three men, one sergeant, wounded. A piece of the shell struck me on the right leg, below the knee, cutting my thigh. I was taken away to the front to have my wound dressed, and sent into camp to rest as the hospitals were full.

Sept. 10. – I attended hospital at 9 a.m. and had to wait there some time to have my wound dressed. I saw nearly a wagon load of arms and legs which had been taken off that morning by the doctors. The groans of the dying were dreadful, and I was very glad to get away from the place. Towards the afternoon I went down into Sebastopol by the Redan. The sight of the Redan ditch was awful to relate, for it was filled with our poor English dead bodies. I went further down into the town and met with several dreadful sights. Russian, men, women, children, horses, dogs, cats, cattle, were all lying in the streets in all directions, dead and dying. Hundreds of Russian soldiers were lying dead in all parts of the town. God forbid that I should witness such a dreadful view again.

Sept. 11. – My wound is better to-day. I rambled into Sebastopol, and brought out a cat and dog. The town is still burning in parts, and forts and magazines are occasionally being blown up. At night the burning town illuminates the heavens. The French and English fired rockets to two Russian steamers that have run ashore. They burnt with great fury all day. The Russians hoisted a flag to come over and bury their dead. They buried hundreds, and thousands were thrown into the water. Many corpses were floating in the harbour for weeks after.

Sept. 12. – Heavy firing from the north side of the town. The Russians do not appear satisfied at our being in the town.

Sept. 13. – Wrote a letter to England. Cholera has made its appearance in our camp.

Continued tomorrow …

Crimean War Diary Part Three

Crimean War Diary – Part One

Read the first installment of the Crimean War Diary written by John Harris and published in the Swindon Advertiser following his death in 1902.

Veterans of the Royal Artillery

The Crimean War Day by Day

(Special to the “Swindon Advertiser.”)

The death took place last week, as we have already announced, of a Crimean Veteran, in the person of Mr John Harris, of Sanford Street, Swindon, who passed away on Tuesday, July 29, at the age of 74 years.

As we announced the other day, we have, through the kindness of the deceased Mr Harris’ son, been granted a perusal of a diary kept by the veteran during the Crimean war, and from the diary we take the following, feeling confident that this unique history of that arduous campaign will contain records abounding with interest to the majority of our readers.

The writer opens his account with some very sentimental passages provoked by the scenes of farewell he witnessed when, as a sergeant in the K Battery of the Royal Artillery, he took leave of England for the seat of war. He opens as follows:-

Sailed 26^th. – It was on one of those beautiful summer mornings very often seen on our shores in the latter end of July, 1855, at about 4 o’clock a.m., that her Majesty’s steamship, “the Atlanta,” weighed anchor, and steamed out of the harbour of Sheerness, with about 800 of the Royal Artillery, 185 horses, 60 officers and a crew of 150 men, bound for the Crimea. And there was many a sad and heavy heart partook of the hard and scanty meal of a breakfast, whilst others of a more noble mind were singing and whistling away as the vessel parted the foaming sea from her stately bows. I was on deck with several others pacing to and fro, smoking my pipe, whilst others were lounging and talking in various parts of the ships. Several of them were talking of home, and wondering whether they would ever behold their dear native place again. How many of those brave men left those shores on that bright sunny morning never to behold them again, and now rest on those ironbound and snowy hills of the Crimean shore, where there is no mark of respect to denote to the passer by or the stranger that beneath lie sons of England waiting to receive their Heavenly reward; those who went forth in the hour of need to share in the toils and hardships of a campaign, leaving those who were dear to them at home.

Continued tomorrow …

Crimean War Diary – Part Two

John Harris – Crimean Veteran

This week I am dedicating seven daily posts to one of Swindon’s extraordinary, ordinary people.

John Harris was born in 1828 and baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick on November 9. He was the son of John, a Flour Factor and Coal Merchant, and his wife Ann, and grew up in the Sydney Wharf area of Bathwick.

He appears at Sydney Wharf on the 1841 census, aged 12, the eldest of four brothers. By the time of the 1851 census he is serving in the ‘Royal Regm Artillery.’ On census night he is at home in Sydney Wharf, Bathwick with his widowed mother, his uncle Robert Roe and his two younger brothers Edward and Frederick.

Five years later he would serve in the Crimean War. He recorded the events of that time and on his death in 1902 this diary still survived. As the obituary published in the Swindon Advertiser records, the newspaper was given access to the diary and published extracts.

Read first about the life and times of John Harris.

Death of a Crimean Veteran

Mr J. Harris, of Sanford Street, Swindon

Some Remarkable Coincidences

There has just passed away, at the residence of his son, 24, Sanford Street, Swindon, an old soldier who could lay claim to the honour of being a Crimean Veteran, and one whose life was full of interesting incidents to the younger generation whose knowledge of the Crimea is gained from the classroom. We refer to Mr John Harris, who died last (Tuesday) evening after only a week or so of illness, at the age of 74 years.

It was in the year 1855 that the deceased sailed for the Crimea with the K Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery, a Regiment in which he held the rank of Sergeant, and which Regiment, by the way, was subsequently merged into the 3^rd Battalion of the Royal Artillery, garrison duty out there being the principal work.

The deceased was a very observant man, and, moreover, of methodical nature, for, through the kindness of deceased’s son, we have in our possession a complete diary kept by the old soldier, containing entries referring to the passage out, the campaign, and the passage home. We hope to publish many extracts from this interesting compilation in our weekly issue on Friday next.

The deceased was wounded during the campaign, and here is a remarkable coincidence. The Brigade Surgeon was no other than Dr. G.M. Swinhoe, of Swindon, and one can well imagine the surprise of both when they met face to face in Swindon years after the Crimean war.

Strange to relate, the Chaplain attached to the same brigade was the deceased was the late Rev. Campbell, whose place in Swindon, was taken by Canon the Hon. M. Ponsonby, at St. Mark’s Church, Swindon. Dr. Swinhoe, we may add, attended the old soldier up to the time of his death.

The deceased, who was a native of Bath, obtained a berth in the GWR Works, at Swindon, which he held for many years. Locally his scholastic ability was taken advantage of by the Ancient Order of Shepherds, he holding the position of Secretary and Master for many years. When he relinquished the post in 1882 he was made the recipient of a handsome illuminated address.

Mr Harris was a God-fearing man, a fact evidenced if only by reference to the diary already referred to, the scriptural quotations, particularly after the recording of some calamity, being very apt.

Deceased was a churchwarden at St. Paul’s, Swindon for some time.

He leaves a widow, and one son and a daughter to mourn the loss of a loving husband and a devoted father.

Swindon Advertiser, Wednesday, July 30, 1902.

continues tomorrow …

Crimean War Diary Part One

James Lambdin – The Singing Ploughboy

Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library

James Lambdin died suddenly and, it would appear, without making a will. Perhaps he had no worldly goods to leave. His life had been spent spreading the word of God.

James was born in Aldbourne in 1850, the son of Joseph and Sarah Lambdin. By the age of 10 years old he was working as an agricultural labourer. He later moved to Swindon and a job in the railway works, but it is his service in the Wesleyan Methodist Church that he is remembered for.

James married twice. His first wife, Faithfull Maria Dew, whom he married in 1874, died two years later aged just 22 years old. She was buried in the churchyard at St. Mark’s.

In 1878 he married Eliza Burt. The couple made their home first in Stratton St. Margaret (1881) and then in Gorse Hill living at 24 Hinton Street (1891) and 21 Avening Street (1901). They had one child, a daughter Beatrice, born in 1886.

A pamphlet produced after his death was entitled – Memoirs of James Lambdin – The Singing Ploughboy who became a Great Preacher and 30 years a Class Leader at Gorse Hill, Swindon.

The Angel Reaper has passed over the Bath Road Wesleyan Circuit, and taken away one of the staunchest adherents, Mr James Lambdin, of Gorse Hill. Mr Lambdin was a highly respected member of the Wesleyan body and looked up to throughout the whole circuit and was widely known for his wise exposition of the Scriptures.

He was a native of Aldbourne, and only the Sunday previous to his lamented death, he went to his birthplace to fulfil a preaching engagement. The day before that he had called upon one of his class members who was almost at the point of death, and the following day week, he himself had taken that journey from whence no traveller returns.

His illness was very short but painful, and his last words were a benediction for his fellow class members and workers. The loss is being felt very keenly throughout the circuit. Last Sunday morning, the preacher at Cricklade Road, a very old and devoted layman, was completely overcome with grief, and the evening congregation were greatly impressed by an impromptu memorial service.

I hear a whisper that a short memoir with a photograph will be prepared shortly.

The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, February 28, 1908.

James Lambdin was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery on February 27, 1908 in grave plot B2912. His wife Eliza survived him by more 19 years and was buried with him on February 3, 1927. The inscription on the modest headstone reads ‘To the revered memory of James Lambdin – Promoted Feb 23, 1908’

John and Alice Robson – a memorial full of meaning

This is the final resting place of John Davison Robson, an engineer whose last home was at 24 Read Street. John was another person who had moved around the country. We tend to think of this as a modern trend, but people have always moved to go where the work is and 19^th century Swindon had plenty of that to offer.

John was born in Wellington, County Durham in 1839. By 1858 he was living in Bristol where he married Alice Storey that year.

Each set of census returns reveal John and Alice living at a different address, with their children born in Bristol, Frome and Trowbridge.

This memorial is full of symbolism. The inscription is on a scroll, a symbol of life and time. Both ends rolled up indicate a life that is unfolding like a scroll of uncertain length with the past and future hidden.

The acanthus leaf has several meanings in funeral iconography. One of the oldest and most common motifs to appear on headstones, it is associated with the rocky ground where most ancient Greek cemeteries were located. Its thorny leaves also represent life’s prickly and difficult path.

Passion flowers represent Christ’s passion during Easter week. Across the cemetery there is a memorial to Esther Swinford, who was murdered by her former fiancé. Her headstone has a spray of passion flowers tumbling across it, possibly a misplaced reference to her murder as a crime of passion.

John died on December 4, 1904 and his wife Alice died just eight days later on December 12.

They are buried with their daughter Margaret who died in 1902. Another daughter Alice Cooper is remembered on this memorial. She died in 1893 and is interred in Cardiff cemetery.

Ebenezer Evans – Sunday School Teacher

The re-imagined story …

“Put your feet up Gramps,” we used to tell my grandfather. Always dashing about he was, as if a ten hour shift in the Rolling Mills wasn’t enough to tire him.

Then, of course there was the Chapel. What little spare time he had was spent in the Baptist Chapel just behind the house where he and Nan lived. He might as well have lived there, I used to think. Wonder he hadn’t worn a path from the garden gate to the Chapel door.

One of the founding deacons he was, along with a Sunday School teacher and a dozen other duties he performed.

When he retired they presented him with an armchair.

“There we are Gramps, now you can put your feet up proper.”

He never did, mind.

The facts …

Ebenezer Evans was one of the foundation deacons of the Cambria Baptist Chapel

A Teacher’s Retirement – On Sunday afternoon an interesting ceremony took place at the Cambria Baptist Chapel, New Swindon, in the presentation to Mr Ebenezer Evans of an easy chair as a slight token of the esteem of his fellow teachers on his retiring from the school through advancing years and consequent declining health. Mr Evans has been a teacher in the Sunday School for 20 years, and had spent a similar time in Sunday School work in South Wales before coming to Swindon. The presentation was made by Mr J. Green, superintendent, on behalf of the teachers and scholars, who willingly subscribed towards the gift. Mr Evans, evidently much surprised, thanked the subscribers for their kindness, adding some good advice to those present who were beginning life.

The Faringdon Advertiser, Saturday, August 13, 1898.

Ebenezer Evans moved to Swindon following the opening of the Rolling Mills. By 1868 he was living at 38 Cambria Place and the 1871 census describes him as a 40 year old Rail Straightener born in Beaufort, Brecon. Living with him were his wife Jane and children John L. 14, Elizabeth 12 both born in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire and David 8, William 5, Sarah 3 and 1 year old Edith all born in Swindon. Also living with them in the small cottage were two lodgers. The couple would go on to have another two children, Mary Ann and George.

Jane, wife of Ebenezer Evans, died in November 1900 aged 65 and was buried on November 8 in grave plot C1167. Ebenezer died in 1903 aged 72 and was buried with his wife on February 19, 1903.

James Longland – Provisional Mayor

In 1900 the two towns of New and Old Swindon were incorporated to form a single municipal borough. It was a sensible idea promoted by many for some years. Today Old Swindon is still referred to as Old Town but the moniker New Swindon has pretty much slipped out of usage. The first Mayor of Swindon was George Jackson Churchward, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway but did you know a Provisional Mayor was appointed in 1899? No, neither did I? It was thanks to @jratcliffephoto who posted on twitter on March 8, 2023 This month in Swindon history – 1899 – A draft Charter of Incorporation is produced, making provisional appointments of Mayor (J. Longland, Chairman of the Old Swindon Council), Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk. Well, this led me on the trail of Swindon’s first and possibly only, Provisional Mayor and whether he might be buried in Radnor Street Cemetery. Town Hall

Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library

Late Mr. J. Longland

Sudden Death of Swindon Resident,

His Public Work

The death took place on Friday at his residence, 6 Volta Road, Swindon, of Mr James Longland, J.P. The deceased, who was 79 years of age, had been in failing health for some months, but he was attending to business as recently as the previous day. Mr Longland came to Swindon about 45 years ago, and started in business as a grocer at premises at the corner of Bristol Street. Later he removed to larger premises at the corner of Deacon Street and Commercial Road. He retired, however, and in more recent years he had been engaged as clerk to Messrs. Protheroe and Moon, income tax collectors. Deceased was a member of the old Urban District Council for New Swindon, and once held the position of chairman of the Finance Committee. He was the last chairman of the Council when the town was incorporated in 1901. When, by a commission dated November 23^rd, 1906, the borough of Swindon was granted a magistracy of its own, Mr Longland was one of the first of the appointed magistrates. He had not sat on the Bench in recent years, but he was a regular attendant at the annual Licensing Sessions in February of each year. He was a regular worshipper at the Baptist Tabernacle, and had filled many offices, including those of treasurer and deacon. Mr Longland leaves two sons – one in business in London, and the other in South Africa – and a daughter, who resided at home with her father. Another daughter died a few years ago. Mr. Longland lost his wife two or three years since, and had never fully recovered from the shock.

Funeral

The funeral on Tuesday was attended by a representative company. By the request of the family the obsequies were of a semi-private character, and the desire was expressed that no flowers should be sent. A short service was conducted at the residence by the Rev. E.W. Probert (pastor of the Baptist Tabernacle), and the internment took place in the Cemetery, Mr Probert again officiating.

Mourners including members of the Baptist Church.

In the course of a brief address at the graveside, the Rev. E.W. Probert said they were assembled, as representatives of the Baptist Church and of the civic life of Swindon, to pay their last tribute of respect to one whose long life must assuredly be of a sweet memory to all. Mr. Longland was not only a devoted member of the Baptist Tabernacle, but he was also an honoured representative of the civic life of Swindon, pure in character, and filled with honour and integrity. That was the type of men we required to-day in public life, men who would carry the Spirit of Christ into the civic life. They were grateful for his noble life, and he hoped that young people would arise and fill the gaps made by the departure of such men as the late Mr. Longland.

The Mayor’s Tribute

At the meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday evening, the Mayor (Ald. R. Evans) said he wished to refer to the passing of a gentleman who in days gone by took an active interest in local government. Mr J. Longland was elected a member of the New Swindon Local Board in April, 1893, and a member of the New Swindon Urban District Council in April, 1897. He took an active interest in the negotiations and the detail work for bringing about the Incorporation of the borough, and might be termed the “Charter Mayor,” as he was the gentleman named in the Charter as the person to act as Mayor for conducting the election of the first Council and to preside at the first meeting of the Council held on November 9^th, 1900. At that meeting he was also elected an alderman of the borough and served the full term of six years, retiring in November, 1906. He was also one of the first magistrates appointed on the grant of a separate Commission of the Peace for the borough. All who knew Mr Longland knew him to be a man of upright character and sterling integrity and a man who placed his best at the service of the town in those days. The Council passed a resolution tendering sincere sympathy and condolence to the family. Extracts from North Wilts Herald, Friday, September 11, 1925 20230509_095922

James Longland, aged 79 years of 6 Volta Road, was buried on September 8, 1925 in plot E7369, a grave he shares with his wife Naomi and two daughters, Jessie who died in 1916 and Kate who died in 1942. This kerbstone memorial was pretty much hidden, covered in grass and weeds, when I visited the cemetery last week. Radnor Street cemetery volunteer Rebecca has made a fantastic job of clearing and tidying it up.