Description
Crimea Distinguished Conduct Medal, VR, Private Peter Huddleston, 17th Leicestershire Regiment of Foot, a local from Wymondham, Leicester, Shot in the head and lost an eye in the trenches.
Officially impressed: “Peter Huddleston. 17th Foot.”
Some edge bruising and wear, naming all perfect and clear, he survived another 40 years and had served with the Melton Volunteer Band after medical discharge.
Provenance, last in DNW 23rd September 2005
With copy service and attestation records, obituary, detailed local article recording his presence as the only Leicester local of the 17th Foot on the occasion of the Royal Marriage celebration in 1858 of men “Wounded in the Crimea belonging to the County of Leicester who have returned to their homes.”
Recommendation for DCM by Commanding Officer dated 12th March 1855.
Severely wounded in action by gunshot to the head in the Trenches at Sebastopol on 17th February 1855, Casualty details announced in the London Gazette on 6th March 1855.
“During the attack on Sebastopol, he was shot over the eye, the sight being destroyed and he had about as narrow an escape from death as he could possibly have had.”
The Surgeon’s report of his disability:
“Rendered unfit for service from vertigo and impaired vision, the result of a gun shot wound of right temple, producing fracture of the frontal and temporal bones, received on 17th February in the trenches.”
His Obituary in the Grantham Journal, 26th May 1894, having recently been placed in a Charity Almshouse:
“A CRIMEAN VETERAN’S DEATH –
On Tuesday last, the death took place, in Storer’s Almshouses, of Mr Peter Huddlestone, who held the distinction of having been engaged in the Crimean Campaign, and was present at the memorable Siege of Sebastopol.
The deceased, who was 70 years of age, was a native of Wymondham, and he and his wife were only elected to the vacancy in the Almshouse a few months ago.
During the attack on Sebastopol, he was shot over the eye, the sight being destroyed, and he he had about as narrow an escape from death as he could possibly have had.
After his retirement from the ranks, he was for several years a member of the Melton Volunteer Band.
The funeral took place yesterday (Friday), at Wymondham.”
Private Peter Huddleston or Huddlestone, was born in Wymondham, Leicestershire during 1822.
The son of Peter and Mary Huddleston, he was baptised in the Wymondham Parish Church by Curate Ricahrd Cragg on 29th June 1822.
Being a Leicester Boy he signed up at the age of 18 at Leicester for his local regiment, the 17th Regiment of Foot, The Royal Leicestershire Regiment on 12th February 1841.
He went on to serve for the next 14 years 213 days with the 17th Foot.
Served in the Crimean War with his regiment, taking part in the Siege of Sebastopol, when he received his severe wound in action on 17th February 1855.
Returning home to the hospital, he was rendered unfit for further service and officially received his medical discharge on 23rd October 1855.
The Leicester Guardian, on 30th January 1858 records the “Celebration of the Royal Marriage in Leicester”, the grand ceremony also made particular note of celebrating Leicester’s local Crimea Veterans, reading out those killed and wounded, they found there were 16 local Leicester men who were “Wounded in the Crimea belonging to the County of Leicester, who had returned to their homes.”, Peter Huddlestone was noted as the only 17th Leicester Man.
It adds: “The Mayor complimented the Crimean Heroes present”
