User talk:31.52.191.3

The "SURVIVOR POSTSCRIPT" section should be entirely deleted - there is absolutely no evidence to support any part of the story.

OK, it's mildly amusing, and as such has been copied by quite a number of bloggers seeking a cheap laugh. (Google it and see for yourself.)

But to start with, there was no "James Bosworth" in the Charge of the Light Brigade (or Heavy Brigade). That alone is fatal to the story.

But there's more. I doubt whether a James Bosworth was ever a station-master at "Northam" (which was on the now-closed Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway in North Devon). Neither is there any evidence (that I can find) that anybody with the name James Bosworth was ever run over and killed by a railway engine. No James Bosworth can be found in any C19 Census living in Devon.

According to the Wikipedia article, the reference to The English Illustrated Magazine 1904-5 states that he "surviv[ed] 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' at Balaclava."

Actually, it doesn't. If you read the linked clipping, it says he survived "The Charge of the Light Infantry Brigade at Balaclava." The celebrated Charge was of course by Light Cavalry.

The Wiki article continues: "His epitaph as listed below referenced both his presence at the battle and Lord Tennyson's poem."

Though shot and shell flew around fast, On Balaclava's plain, Unscathed he passed, to fall at last, Run over by a train.

Well, it would if there was any such epitaph. But unfortunately for "James Bosworth", there is no gravestone for him at Northam, and no epitaph. (See David W. Gale's magisterial, genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/Northam/MonumentalInscriptions/)

In short, It doesn't do Wikipedia any favours to include this section, which should be dropped.

Philip Boys, Editor, the Lives of the Light Brigade (http://www.chargeofthelightbrigade.com)

PS

Thanks to the Hathi Trust you can view the whole English Illustrated Magazine article, on "Quaint Epitaphs", at http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015056059804;view=1up;seq=573.

I have not been able to consult the other reference, to Elegies and Epitaphs: A Comprehensive Review of the Origin, Design, and Character of Monumental Inscriptions and of Other Necrological Literature, Etc, to which are Appended Fully 300 Epitaphs Or Mottoes, Classified to Suit Exigencies of Different Times of Life; Also, Dissertations Upon Ancient and Modern Cemeteries ... Elegies and Epitaphs on Celebrated Persons, Latin and Musical Epitaphs, &c, by the admirably named Charles Box (1899), which will have to await a visit to the British Library.