George Wilde was born in the parish of St. Margaret's in Norwich, Norfolk in 1824.
He left his job as a plaster and enlisted into the Army at Norwich on 27th. August 1842.
The Army recorded he was 18 years and 5 months old, 5ft. 8in. tall with fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair.
George (service number 1119) served in Crimean War with the 13th. Light Dragoons and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on 25th. October 1854. During the charge his horse was killed and he was wounded.
On 16th. December 1855 George was promoted to corporal and transferred to the 4th. Battalion of the Military Train on 1st. November 1856 with the Regimental number 1002. In 1855, the Land Transport Corps was formed, this was renamed the Military Train the following year. This unit was responsible for supplying food, forage, fuel, arms, ammunition and other critical stores. On 1st July 1857 George resigned as a corporal.
At the Royal Victoria Hospital on 26th. February 1867, George was discharged from the Army. He was
"Found unfit for service. Has Chronic Rheumatism. Disease did not exist before enlistment and is therefore the result of long service and exposure - has broken down constitution which will materially affect his ability to earn his livelihood."
At the end of his service his Army record stated:
Served 24 years and 157 days. In Turkey and the Crimea: 2 years. New Zealand: 2 years, 2 months.
Conduct - "Exemplary."
In possession of four Good Conduct badges.
Once entered the Regimental Defaulters book. Never tried by Court-martial.
With regards to George's medals:
Entitled to the Crimea medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.
His name appears on a "Supplementary List of Officers and men entitled to the New Zealand medal but no longer serving with the Regiment, per General Order" (no date). Is show as serving with the Regiment in that country from 18th. March 1863 to May 1864 and being "Discharged invalided"
Documents confirm the award of the Crimea medal with four clasps, Turkish medal, Long Service and Good Conduct medals. There is no mention of the New Zealand medal.
After his service life George was admitted as a Freeman of the City of Norwich on 20th. October 1868, the same honour his father was granted on 24th. February 1819.
In the 1818 Census it shows George as a Private, Chelsea Pensioner, aged 57, living at 35 Gladstone Street, Heigham, Norwich with his wife Mary A, aged 58, born Wymondham, Norfolk, and a granddaughter, aged 13, Mary J. Fox.
George died on 18th. May 1887 at Gladstone Street although another source states Thorpe Hamlet. An extract from the 'Norfolk Annals', 12th May 1887
"Died at Gladstone Street, George Wilde, aged 62, the last survivor in the City of the famous light cavalry charge at Balaclava. Wilde was then present with the 13th. Light Dragoons, his horse being killed under him and he himself being wounded. He was in receipt of a pension of 13d. per day"
His death certificate shows that he died at No. 35 Gladstone Street, Heigham, Norwich on the 18th. of May 1887, aged 62 years, a Messenger and Army Pensioner from "Atrophy of the Liver." A William J. Fox, a son-in-law of No. 71 Belvoir Road, Heigham, Norwich was in attendance at, and the informant of, his death.
A detailed report of his funeral appeared in the 'Eastern Daily Press' for 26th. May 1887.
A stone was erected over his grave in the Rosery Cemetery, Norwich. Made of sandstone, today it is very much weathered and flaked, only the first few lines of what appears to be a precis of his military service is readable:
"In affectionate remembrance of George Wilde, late of the 13th. Light Dragoons. He was One of the Six Hundred and was wounded at Balaclava. He went through the whole of the campaign in the Crimea"
The cemetery records show George as being buried in Grave No. 1a/125, which today is marked with a small information plaque.
