Liverpool Mercury, Feb 1st, 1908
Liverpool’s, “Old Brigade.”
Interesting reunion
Thanks to the appeal recently addressed to the public by Field Marshal Lord ROBERTS, the dinner given on Monday evening at the Carlton Restaurant to the Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans was invested with considerable measure of special interest and significance.
The function which was promoted by Major D. C. PUGH [8th Lancashire Royal Artillery Volunteers] and an influential committee, was an extension on a more elaborate scale, of the dinners given for many years since the outbreak of the South African war to the Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans under the auspices of the Liverpool Patriotic Society, although credit for the inception of the scheme is really due to two local veterans, Sgt SEWELL and Private HINDLEY, whose claim to distinction is that they took part in the famous charge of the Light Brigade, of which regiment 16 troopers are all that today remain.
The guests numbered 120 veterans residing in Liverpool and district, aged from 70 to 86 yrs and conspicuous amongst them were, Capt J. H. GRIBBIN, late of the 11th Hussars who took part in the charge of the Light Brigade, afterwards was adjutant of the 1st Lancashire Volunteer Light Horse, now disbanded and holds the Crimean, Turkish and French medals.
Sgt Major PHILLIPS, a blind veteran, Mr WHITE, an aged Navy pensioner and Sgt SEWELL and Private HINDLEY previously mentioned.
An excellent dinner of several courses was served, and was disposed of with a liberal quantity of beer or mineral water and after recipients were each given a pipe and an ounce of tobacco.
In addition to the restaurant staff, the visitors were attended to by a number of ladies provided by Mrs JARDINE, and by Liverpool Ambulance Company, under Capt’s BARNETT and COSTIGAN.
During the after proceedings – when a few speeches were delivered by a few, several entertaining items were submitted by Mrs Wills HARPER and other artistes – a lively spirit of harmony prevailed, the guests appreciated the hospitality with enthusiasm which constituted a striking testimony of their sense of gratitude as well as their continued physical and mental vigour.
Supporting Major D. C. PUGH were a number of well known citizens and officers of the regular and auxiliary forces.
The Lord Mayor invited the veterans to attend a performance of Olympia on the 4th of February.
The toasts were performed by Mr J. H. WELSFORD and Col J. W. Lardner CLARKE Commander Royal Artillery North West District, responded.
The Rev W. J. ADAMS in asking the company to drink the health of the chairman, paid a cordial tribute to Major PUGH’S interest in the welfare of the local veterans.
Copyright 2002 / To date