“Into the valley of Death, Rode the six hundred” are perhaps two of the most memorable and famous lines in British poetry. The poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, was written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate at the time, in commemoration of the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava. This occurred in 1854 during the Crimean War in part of what is now Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia.

Although many people remember these lines, few are aware that one of the men who took part in The Charge, and survived, is buried in Southam’s St James Church graveyard. Seth Bond was not born in Southam, but he lived here for most of the second half of his life until his death aged 80 in 1902. He had retired from the Army with 24 years of service and the rank of Troop Sergeant Major. He was one of only 198 survivors out of the 607 taking part in The Charge. In addition, 305 horses were lost. The Charge is remembered as one of the most outstanding acts of battlefield bravery as well as one of the biggest blunders in British military history, resulting from a misunderstood order.

Seth Bond was born at Frant in Sussex but his wife Mary Plummer was born in Appendix Street (now Pendicke Street), Southam in 1825, hence the connection. The exact date and place of their marriage is not known but based on circumstantial evidence it is likely they were married before Seth left the Army. He retired in 1864 on a pension of 2 shillings (10 pence) per day and moved to Southam, hometown of his wife.

Seth Bond was the landlord at The Harp Inn on Banbury Road for 2 years after moving to Southam but subsequently failed to renew the licence and moved to a house in Pendicke Street near the junction with Oxford Street. This building has since been demolished and replaced by a detached house. Although he remained at the house in Pendicke Street for the rest of his days, Seth Bond took up farming to provide an income and is mentioned in several legal disputes over charges for services. Following his death in 1902 his wife lived for another 9 years and was buried with him on her death in 1911. His funeral was conducted with full military honours including an 18-gun salute fired over the grave and the sounding of the “Last Post”. There are no known records of any children resulting from the marriage.

Seth Bond took part in many commemorations of the Battle of Balaclava including dinners in London, and his photograph attending one such event was published in the Illustrated London News. He is also believed to have been part of Queen Victoria’s escort on several occasions whilst still serving in the Army, with a number of references describing him as “… a man of unusually fine physique … “.

The photo included with this article shows the renovated (July 2024) Seth Bond gravestone, which is located very near to the War Memorial. Sadly about 6 inches of the cross had to be removed during this renovation as it had crumbled away. The unusual gravestone was originally 5 feet in height and was designed and installed following a local public subscription. The recent renovations were initiated by Southam Civic Ideas Forum and Davies-Astills Monumental Masons carried out the repairs.

For the full version of the poem see https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45319/the-charge-of-the-light-brigade

Southam Heritage Collection is located in the atrium of Tithe Place opposite the Library entrance.  Opening times Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. To find out more about Southam’s history, visit our website www.southamheritage.org  telephone 01926 613503 or email  southamheritage@hotmail.com  You can also follow us on Facebook.