David was born in the 1820s in Bedfordshire, and he enlisted at the age of 17 joining the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers. He seemed take naturally to the military life and he was recommended for a commission before long. Unfortunately David was not actually awarded with one, due to the fact he had slightly exceeded the age then in force beyond which such a promotion could not be offered. If his superiors had hoped that discretion could be applied, they were wrong. He served in the East Indies and during the Indian Mutiny. David gained the Victoria Cross in September 1858 near Lucknow when he and a private took on 8 of their enemy, killing three. It was an act of "conspicuous bravery" and only one of many attributed to him. He received three other awards for gallantry, and 4 further medals over 25 years of active service*. In 1867, David was finally ready to retire, although he would not exactly leave all aspects of military life behind. For at the time of his retirement he was appointed a Yeoman of the Guard, and of course he joined Marlow's rifle volunteers.
I believe he came to Marlow in order to take up his job as yard clark at the Brewery. During this time he lived in the High Street. He was on duty although not immediately present when labourer Job Jones was killed in an accident in the yard. The poor man was crushed below a cart that tipped up upon him. Only a little before another brewery worker had been killed while delivering supplies to the Hare & Hounds. The death of both was declared an accident, but in the case of Job it was recommended that the Brewery improve their procedures for immobilising their vehicles around the time of loading and unloading. David's job involved seeing that was done. A more happy role for him was presiding over the Brewery workers dinners and socials held at various places. He was almost inevitably voted to the chair at such times, as one of the most senior employees. He got to propose the toasts, and make a speech of thanks to his employers on behalf of everyone there. He seems to have been popular with both his superiors and the men in his charge, based on the riotous cheering that usually greeted the announcement of his name at the events.
He joined the Rifle Volunteers shortly after his arrival in Marlow, when the Marlow Company was still very new itself and did not yet have it's own fancy headquarters in Institute Road. Victoria Cross or not, David started out in the Volunteers with the rank of private, although he was quickly promoted up the ranks. He was frequently chosen to represent Marlow at rifle shooting competitions eg at Wimbledon and he won many prizes for doing so. During the South African wars, Marlow residents could keep up with reports of the actions of two of David's sons, who were both serving in the Cape Mounted Police. David was often the subject of specific toasts at the volunteer dinners too. For example in 1868 he received three cheers and a toast. A cry out asking for David to tell the story of his gaining the Victoria Cross was "met with a tremendous volley of cheers". He replied to thank them for the "very kind manner in which they had received the mention of his name."
When David died in 1886 after a "long and serious illness", most of the shops pulled down their shutters and a good crowd gathered to watch the sizeable funeral procession to All Saints despite appalling weather. After the service two volleys were fired over his grave. The South Bucks Free Press called it a "military funeral of very affecting character". They praised not only his bravery but his "frank straightforwardness, diligence and attention" which he put to every task he tackled. The Maidenhead Advertiser added that he was a much respected resident. He left a widow Sarah and 6 children. Sarah remained in Marlow after his death, living in Glade Road with her elderly mother (also from a military family) and her youngest children. At the first annual dinner of the Brewery employees after David's passing, his empty chair was obviously felt when the Wethered's address "alluded in the most feeling terms "to the loss the firm had suffered.
*David's medals were:
1. Campaign Medal - Sutlej Campaign 1845/6
Related Posts:
To find every mention of an individual here on the blog, use the A-Z person index where you will find over 6,000 former residents of Marlow listed.
Grave and research about another Marlow Indian mutiny veteran here
Colour Sergeant James Columbine, David's predecessor in the Volunteers : - biography here
The story of the Volunteer Encampments at Marlow here
For other military related posts, see the index here
Written and researched by Kathryn Day.
SOURCES:
Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer 20 January 1900, Slough Libraries.
Census transcripts from the microfilm by Jane Pullinger and Charlotte Day.
Bucks Herald 13 Nov 1886, &
Maidenhead Advertiser, 06 June 1880, 5th December 1886 - British Library Archive.
South Bucks Free Press, 30 November 1886, as above.
Reading Mercury 30 July 1870, 14 December 1880, 29 January 1886 as above.
The Volunteers Service Gazette and Military Dispatch 25 Jan 1879.
No Fear, No Favour - Bob Perrin (BFP 1986)
With H M 9th Lancers during the Indian Mutiny - Harcourt F Anson (Editor) W H Allen & Co, 1896.
Heroes of the Victoria Cross - T E Toomey, (G H Newnes 1895)
© MarlowAncestors