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Forgotten grave of hero soldier fully restored

BBC A grave with gravel and a clean, new stone plaque explaining that Captain Clutterbuck was in the Charge of the Light BrigadeBBC
Captain Clutterbuck's grave has been cleared and restored

A grave of a "hero" soldier has been restored after being re-discovered by a local historian.

Cavalryman Captain Daniel Clutterbuck, from Corsham, Wiltshire, was in the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War.

His grave, which was covered in weeds and bushes, at St Bartholomew's Church, Corsham, has now been rejuvenated and a new plaque installed.

Local historian Julian Carosi came across the soldier's story while researching for his Corsham Revealed books: "I was amazed at such a hero who's been forgotten about."

Coming up against the Russians in the Crimean War, 673 men rode out, and 260 were killed, wounded or taken prisoner within 20 minutes. Capt Clutterbuck was shot, but survived.

To celebrate his bravery, a special service was held on Sunday at St Bartholomew's Church, 170 years later to the day of the charge.

The service included current members of the Queen's Royal Hussars, who also took part in restoring the grave.

Paul and Julian crouched down next to the grave when it was covered in weeds.
Paul Frowde (left) and Julian Carosi (right) rediscovered the grave when it was overgrown and hardly visible

Mr Carosi said the grave had been "completely covered with bushes and trees".

"We cleared it all off and found the lettering on the side of the grave" he added.

He explained that Capt Clutterbuck was shot in the leg and fell off his horse in the charge on 25 October 1854.

A bagpiper playing in military regalia outside an old church entrance.
Members of the Queens Royal Hussars attended the service on 25 October, which included a bagpiper.

Working with Paul Frowde, from the town's tourist information centre, they contacted the military to see if the grave could be restored.

He was "amazed" at how many came to the service, and added that the grave has now been restored for future generations.

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