Monday, May 21, 2012

Bales, Edward

died 17 September 1893 at Blenheim aged 64 years.

Death of a Crimean Veteran.
We regret to have to record the death of Mr Edward Bales, which occurred at his residence in Howick Street Blenheim, last evening.

Mr Bales had seen active service in the Crimean and Maori wars. He joined the Imperial Army at Wingarthenin, Norfolk, at the age of 22 years, in January 1852, and proceeded with his regiment — the 57th Foot - to the Crimea, landing there in October 1854. He was present at Sebastapool (sic) in the advanced trenches on the 22nd March, 1855. One hundred men, including Mr Bales, went on duty at midnight under the command of Captain Montague. Between 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock the Russians attacked them, when Captain Montague, Sergeant Lock, and Mr Bales were taken prisoners. Seven men were alive in the trenches, ninety being killed. The prisoners were taken five hundred miles inland. Mr Bales came away from Odessa under a flag of truce, and on the 30th of August he was back at Sebastapool, where he stayed till the end of 1856.
Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 229, 18 September 1893, Page 2

He was present at the engagement at Kinbourn. His regiment was subsequently stationed at Malta, Aden, Bombay, and Poonah. In 1860 the 57th was ordered to Taranaki, and Mr Bales stayed there till the end of that year. He left the army in 1864 with two good conduct badges and a discharge from Colonel Warre, stating his conduct had been exemplary.

He held the Crimean Medal and Clasp for Sebastapool, and also the Turkish Medal. Mr Bales' regimental number was 2478, and that of his brother Stephen 2477. The latter was killed at the Battle of Inkerman, at which engagement Mr Biles was not present, being laid aside with sickness.

Mr Bales has resided for many years in this district, but has suffered a good deal from ill health of late years. He was of a retiring disposition, but was well liked by all with whom he was brought in contact. The deceased was married to a daughter of the late Mrs Hickey, and was a brother in law of Messrs John, Maurice, and Eugene Hickey. He leaves surviving him his widow and two daughters. The deceased will be accorded a military funeral on Wednesday afternoon.

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