A plausible Life-­‐line for Henry Joseph Vardy (HJV) By Joy Vardy and Chris Bragg (October 2014) Introduction Almost all of what we know about the sire of the Clarence River Vardy clan in the period before he
came to Australia comes from his own words, or rather his words in transcription by various
newspaper reporters. The trouble is that “his own words” contain numerous inconsistencies or were
simply wrongly reported. There is also only the barest mention of his name in the English (British)
archives prior to his appearance in Australia. Of particular note there is no record of a Joseph
Vardy, Henry Vardy, or any number of like name variations in the Military Records of the 57th Foot
Regiment during (or even outside) the period in which he claimed to have served.
The challenge has been to construct a storyline for HJV that accommodates as much as possible of
his oral history, accepting the fragility of memories and the ease with which people are able to invent
and reinvent their own narratives.
At times during our analysis of the evidence we came close to the conclusion that he was a complete
fraud and that either:
a) he was the Joseph Vardy born in 1836 near Hucknell under Huthwaite, but that he arrived
in Australia in 1867 under an alias, and proceeded to invent his entire war history – for the
sake of a good yarn (and apparently he was a good story-teller), or
b) he was a soldier of the 57th but was not the above Joseph Vardy - i.e. he assumed Joseph’s
name when he arrived in Australia (adding a Henry), making sure that his death certificate
referred to Joseph’s parents (in England) as his own (maybe be murdered the real Joseph
Vardy just prior his enlistment with the 57th, storing away his identity for later use on the
other side of the world).
Notwithstanding various flights of the imagination we have now decided that it is just possible to
intermesh most of HJV’s stories with the historical facts of the Crimean, Indian and Maori Wars,
after excusing a number of memory lapses and a few (significant) errors in his recall of events.
This “normalised” version of his life story has the merit of providing a well-defined hypothesis for
further testing and contrasting with any number of alternative scenarios such as the one outlined in a)
above.
As a last resort we may in future be able to undertake a genetic test, aimed at determining the
probability the descendants of HJV have the same pedigree as the descendants of his putative sister
Catherine. The error bounds for such have yet to be determined.
Early life HJV was baptised at Sutton in Ashfield, St Mary Magdalene, 29 July 1836, as Joseph, son of
William and Rebecca Vardy (nee Haslam) of Hucknall. His actual birth date is not known at the
time of writing (and may never be known). The word “Henry” does not appear as part of his name
in any record until after his arrival in Australia. He may have been called “Henry” by his family but
this is pure speculation.
! William, Rebecca and family were Frame work knitters. HJV was the 5th born in a family of
seven. The birth place of the number of his siblings has been recorded as Hucknall under Huthwaite
and it likely that Joseph was borne there as well.
In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described
Hucknall under Huthwaite like this:
HUCKNALL-UNDER-HUTHWAITE, a village and a township in Sutton-in-Ashfield
parish, Notts. The village stands near the boundary with Derbyshire, 2¾ miles W by N of
Sutton r. station, and 5 WSW of Mansfield; and has a post office under Alfreton.-The
township comprises 800 acres. Real property, £2, 59 4. Pop., 1, 160. Houses, 244. There is
an extensive colliery; and the manufacture of cotton hose is carried on. There is a Wesleyan
chapel.
Both the 1841 and 1851 Census list a Joseph Vardy residing with various family members1 2, with
the 1851 Census giving his age as 14 years and his occupation as Framework Knitter (FWK).
HJV has stated that prior to enlistment in the army in he was part way through an Engineering
apprenticeship with a Messrs. Steenson (sic) and Roston (sic) (engineers). Correcting the typos in
the 1908 new article, Steenson and Roston becomes Sevenson and Royston. This apprenticeship
must have commenced sometime after the 1951 Census.
The Nottingham Records Office cannot find any reference to a business called Sevenson and
Royston in their region (nor can we), however both names are widely found in the Nottingham area
and are listed as separate engineering firms operating in the region circa 1850. However no business
with the combined name Stevenson & Royston has been found, nor have we had any success in
locating apprenticeship records for engineers or steam engine drivers from Nottingham for the era.
The construction of the northern rail line through the Midlands was a big undertaking at this time and
steam engines were widely used in the collieries of the area.
In one article Henry Joseph Vardy states that he was “half way through his seven year
apprenticeship…” and in another, 18 months. The former we can dismiss as it would not fit with the
timeline he postulates.
Breaking his indentures would not have been a trivial matter for the young HJV and his family. His
employer would have had a legal right to demand his return or alternatively receive compensation for
his wasted effort in training the lad. Almost certainly there would have been a knock on his parent’s
door demanding the whereabouts of their son.
The best solution for HJV in these circumstances may have been to simply disappear. Enlisting
under an alias at a remote station in Dublin would ensure that his past was left well and truly behind.
The army was desperate for recruits in 1854 and would not have asked any many questions.
1
The 1841 Census lists parents William (35) and Rebecca (31 or 30) and children Mark (10), William (10), Francis(10), John (7), Joseph (5), Rebecca (3) and Catherine (6 months) – 7 children in all. In 1851 the census shows the parents plus John (17), Joseph (14) and Rebecca (12). Catherine was not listed in the 1851 census however she showed herself to be alive in 1861 (as a visitor with a family headed by a William Wood). The children’s ages at the 1841 and 1851 census are consistent, however there are large discrepancies in the parents ages. 2
In 1926 HJV referred to his FIVE brothers (see Attachment 4). We do not believe this is correct. He also failed to mention his THREE sisters, at least one of whom (Catherine) lived to 74. ! Enlistment in the 57th Foot -­‐ Crimea Wiki states that:
The Crimean War (pronounced /kraɪˈmiːəәn/ or /krɨˈmiːəәn/) (October 1853 – February 1856)
was a conflict in which Russia lost to an alliance of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and
Sardinia. The immediate cause involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land,
which was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the rights of Catholics,
while Russia promoted those of the Orthodox Christians. The longer-term causes involved
the decline of the Ottoman Empire, and the unwillingness of Britain and France to allow
Russia to gain territory and power at Ottoman expense. Russia lost the war and the Ottomans
gained a twenty-year respite from Russian pressure. The Christians were granted a degree of
official equality and the Orthodox gained control of the Christian churches in dispute.[7]:415
The Ottoman Empire declared war on Russia in October 1853 and suffered a major defeat
that gave Russia control of the Black Sea. The Russian threat to the Ottoman Empire required
control of the Black Sea, and the key was the Russian naval base at Sevastopol, on the
Crimean peninsula. The allies realized that if they captured Sevastopol, they would
control the Black Sea and win the war. France and Britain entered in March 1854. Most
of the fighting in the Black Sea witnessed a large French army and a smaller British army
fighting to capture Sevastopol.
The story-line in Attachment 4 states that “In 1854, when the Crimean War broke out, he enlisted for
10 years (not to excced 12 years)”3. As part of this comprehensive 1908 interview the newspaper
article reports HJV as enlisting on 4 April 1855. The month of April still appears reasonable, but
the year must have been 1854 not 1855. HJV (Attachment 1) stated that they “landed at
Balaclava on October 5, 1855”. Wiki states that:
A Russian assault on the allied supply base at Balaclava was rebuffed on 25 October
1854.:521–527 The Battle of Balaclava is remembered in England for the actions of two
British units. The 93rd Highlanders held out against repeated attacks by a larger Russian
force. The unit was memorialized as the "Thin Red Line".[34] The second British unit to be
remembered in the Battle of Balaclava was the Light Cavalry Brigade under the command of
the Earl of Cardigan.
In Attachment 4, HJV paints a graphic picture of his involvement in the Battle of Balaclava six
months after his enlistment.
In signing up in April 1854 “for 10 years (not to exceed 12 years)”, HJV was committed to
soldiering until at least April 1864 (10 years), or at the latest April 1866 (12 years)4.
Aden and India In 1909 HJV provided a detailed description of his time in Aden and later India in a second news
report. There is much detail here that rings true, but few details have so far been checked against the
3
Other reports have HJV enlisting in 1855. This has been the source of immense confusion. He simply could not have enlisted in 1955 and been at the battles he described in the Crimea. 4
Attachment 3 refers to his involvement “in the Maori War from January 1861 until 1862, when he got his discharge after eleven years and two months active service”. The 1862 discharge year could simply not have been correct. It would put his enlistment in 1852 (or before) at which time he would have been in his apprenticeship. The 1851 census had him as a 14 year old frameworker knitter. ! historical record. What appears certain is that in 1861 he arrived in New Plymouth (NZ) from
Bombay with the 57th Foot.
New Zealand HJV’s time in NZ was certainly adventurous. As well as participating in various actions with the
57th, on his discharge (after 10 or more years total service) HJV says that he joined the NZ Milita
(the Volunteers) for a period of 18 months, was wounded twice in the leg, and then went on to spend
two-years on the gold-diggings following by a period in the NZ Detective service running down
medal and gold thieves.
If one accepts that something like the above did transpire, how might the various events be
sequenced? The following is an outline of what might have occurred:
1. HJV was discharged sometime before April 1865 and immediately joined the Militia. He may
have joined as a Private, Lance-Corporal, Corporal or a Sergeant. He claimed he was a LanceCorporal during the campaign out of Aden (see Attachment 2).
2. April 1865 is a critical date. HJV was involved with the 57th in an action at “Kikiramea Swamp”
(sic) (correct name, Kakaremia). Here he describes (a) being lightly wounded by two shots to the
leg, and (b) the wounding of a James Bates who later had his arm amputated. The historical
record talks of a Robert Bates (a member of the 57th) who was shot though the arm which was
later amputated. We have to conclude that HJV was present when Bates was shot. 3. The difficulty with the above story is in Attachment 4 it is reported that:
In 1857 Mr. Vardy went to India to take part in suppressing the Indian Mutiny, and after
three years' service his regiment was ordered to ship to New Zealand to participate in the
Maori War.
After four years as an enlisted soldier (as a non-commissioned officer) his term of enlistment
concluded and he joined the army of 10,000 volunteers. Eighteen months later (after being
wounded twice in the right leg) he was discharged from the army and thus ended a fine
military career.
4. So it seems HJV may in fact have been wounded while serving with the Militia, not as a
regular with the 57th Foot.
5. The 57th and other regular British Regiments were typically “allied” with one or more irregular
Militia. It is indeed probable then that HJV was with the Militia when he was wounded at
Kakaremia, campaigning alongside Bates who was still serving with the 57th.
6. It may also be the case that in the army’s eyes both his regular and irregular service counted
toward his final 11 years 2 months as a soldier of the Queen. It is also possible that he was
promoted to the rank of sergeant while with the Milita.
7. Assuming his total service period is correct, HJV probably resigned from the Militia about June
1865, soon after the clash at Kakaremia. 8. From June 1865 to early 1867 he may have ventured on the gold-fields, had his medals stolen,
and for a few months in the first part of 1867 worked as a Detective for the NZ police force.
! 9. HJV sailed for Australia sometime in 1867, worked for a period in Sydney but by February
1868 was married (fast work – Catherine was not pregnant when she married). He was 32, she was 16 years old. What contact did HJV have with his family after he “ran away to the army?” There are no existing ‘letters from home’ to answer this question, however the following hints at a level of preparedness. a) a comment in the 1908 news article indicates: When I got my discharge I went down to the
West Coast diggings, where I lost all my family trinkets and discharge medals, HJV ran
away to the army with a degree of pre-meditation that implies family knowledge of his
actions. b) Assuming the above, he may have written to his family in Hucknall informing them of his
whereabouts and the name of his alias for mail. c) Jean Vardy (daughter-in-law to his grandson) reports “Maud (daughter-in-law to HJV) used
to write and get letters from Henry Joseph’s sister in England.” What name did HJV serve under? We approached the problem of identifying HJV’s service alias, optimistically. On first examination
there appears to be so many points in his story-line where names can be cross-checked and
eliminated, narrowing in on the real HJV. The task has however proved more difficult and thus far
inconclusive – but we do have a list of possible candidates.
The key sources of service information used in our pursuit were (and remain):
1. National Archive (Kew) 57th Foot Muster Lists for 1855, 56, 60 and 61 (original records were
visually scanned for any name like “Vardy” – he definitely is not there in these lists.
2. 57 NZ Medal List (compiled 1869) – a good copy of the original documents, detailing all
discharges, rank period of service in NZ.
3. A listing of the 300, 57th Foot who discharged in NZ, electing not to return with the 57th to
Ireland.
4. A listing of all NZ Militia (names and units) who saw action and were considered deserving of
the NZ Medal.
5. Passenger records for all ships leaving NZ for Sydney – December, 1866 to December, 1867
inclusive.
The above records were supplemented by numerous searches of individual soldier records, as
available through Ancestry.com and other genealogy search engines. Datasets 3, 4 and 5 were
incorporated in an Access database and checked as far as possible for consistency. Person names
were compared looking for both an exact match and using a “sounds-like” function.
We have arrived at the following shortlist of names:
REG NO 2627 2368 2203 ! RANK Pte Pte Colour Sergeant SURNAME DONNELLY HANODINE HEYWOOD FIRSTNAME HUGH GEORGE WM.E. 3255 2597 2546 2451 374 3230 3233 3114 3112 3234 Pte Pte Pte Pte Sgt Pte Pte Pte Pte Pte HILL HOLDEN HOULAHAN JEFFCOTT LISTER MCALWEE MCNIVEN MAHONEY MOLLOY RINN MATTHEW GEORGE PATRICK CHARLES THOMAS WILLIAM WILLIAM JAMES MARTIN MICHAEL Names that are probably not Irish or Scottish are highlighted in yellow in the above table. It is hard
to believe that HJV (a boy from Nottingham who would have had a strong regional accent) could
have passed himself off as Irish or Scottish, especially at a Dublin enlistment office.
Some of the names shown have analogues in the Militia and the Passenger Lists, however is
probably not worth pursuing these links in any detail until the enlistment dates for the listed soldiers
are known. The required enlistment dates will most likely only be found via a “hands-on” review of
the relevant Dublin enlistment records. Hopefully these are held in the National Archive at Kew.
Even if we do identify HJV’s alias, a number of mysteries remain. For example:
1. How and when did he get his medals back (after they were stolen on the gold fields)?
2. When and how was he presented with his NZ Medal5?
3. Where are his medals now?
4. Did his mates that the Lismore RSL, know he served under a false name?
5. Did he write to his relatives in England at any stage during his war service, and if so how could
he receive a reply? His friends in England would have had to address any letters to his “alias.”
5
th
We have a record for a Private William Good (57 No 2672) who was discharged in 1867in NZ. He was one of the 300 who elected to stay in NZ. The Australian War Memorial has the date this medal was made, c 1890. The medal lists were compiled in 1969. How could HJV have been forwarded his medal? What address would be army have for him? This may be a fruitful area of research! If we can determine the protocol the army used to keep track of discharged soldiers, and especially the address list they used to communicate with these men, we may have a way of nailing HJV down. ! Attachment 1 – 1908 Newspaper Article (our highlights)
EXPERIENCES OF SERGT. VARDY: AN APPRENTICE WHO RAN AWAY TO ENLIST
AS A SOLDIER, SEES FOREIGN SERVICE WITH 57TH MIDDLESEX REGIMENT OF
FOOT
I was born in Nottingham, England, on July
29, 1836, and, when a lad, was apprenticed to
an engineering firm in Nottingham. Like a
good many others before and since I thought
there were other occupations better than that I
was engaged in, and a soldier's life had great
attractions for me. So, one day, when I had
served half of my time of seven years, I
ran away, and going to Portsmouth, managed
to go over to Ireland.
To break my in-dentures I took the Queen's
shilling and enlisted on the 4th April, 1855, in
Dublin. I may here say that in times of war it
is open for anyone to enlist and join the
colours, and so get clear of any indentures as
an apprentice.
I was sent to the depot at Birr Barrack,
King's County where I was disciplined and
taught my drill. The Russian war was then in
progress. I volunteered with the first draft to
go to the front in the Crimea, and, with that
draft I sailed by transport, landing in the island
of Malta, where there was a receiving depot
for the front. The first draft that next left
Malta I was included in it, and we landed at
Balaclava on October 5, 1855, and we were
marched right up to the front before
Sebastopol, the great naval fortress of the
Black Sea which had been long besieged.
So it happened that in six months from the
time enlisted, the runaway apprentice was a
soldier on active foreign service, and before
the enemy. We took our share of the duties as
they came, and remained there in the trenches,
outpost duties, and the hundred and one things
the soldier is called upon to perform, there
until peace was proclaimed in 1856.
When the Crimea was evacuated the regiment
went back to Malta to be re-organised and
disciplined. As soon as that was done we
were under orders for India. Readers will
know that the Indian Mutiny broke out in
1857, and the whole nation was shocked by
! news of the horrible massacres of General
Wheeler, officers, soldiers, their wives and
children, at Cawnpore and many other places.
Until troops could be landed there no one
knew what the next news would tell, for there
was only a small force of British
troops
there, and it was feared that Calcutta itself
might be seized by the rebels, for practically
the whole of the Sepoys in the service of the
East India Company were in revolt, and
those who had not deserted were disarmed.
There was a regiment of Sepoys in garrison at
Aden, in the Red Sea, and No. 1 and 2
companies of our regiment were ordered to
go across Egypt in khaki uniform to disband
the Sepoys. I belonged to No. 2 Company in
that expedition.
While we were going to Aden the remainder
of the regiment were shipped direct to
Bombay. No. 1 and 2 companies, having
performed their special duty, remained to
garrison Aden until they were relieved, and
they were then at once sent on to India,
landing at Bombay. We were sent by rail as
far as possible, then by march, and re-joined
our regiment at Poonah. When the mutiny
was quelled and hostilities were over, we came
back to Bombay, and went into the Castle
Barracks.
We were not destined to have much of a spell
there, for it was not long
ere the 57th
Regiment was under orders to proceed to
Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
We remained there until everything was done
that was possible for the safety of the place.
We were then ordered on board ship again to
proceed to Wanganui. The 65th Regiment
was there, we relieved it. Then we got orders
to march along the coast.
The first place we halted at was Alexander's
Farm, the next was Nukumaru, then at
Waitotara River, next at Patea, then at
Manutahi.
The next halt was at Manawapou, then at
Waingongora, where we built a redoubt. Our
company stopped there until General Cameron
came from the Waikato River to the west
coast to join the west coast forces
He came to Patea and camped. We started in
the morning to march to Manawapou, and we
had gone about three miles when we were
attacked by an ambuscade of Maoris, about
850 of them. They were behind the sandhills
about 200 yards dis- tant on our right front.
Our Company No. 2 was the advance guard,
and we got the word to double in skirmishing
order, and lie down. The column was half a
mile behind us, and the General and staff were
another half mile behind the column.
We were lying down for what seemed to be
about half an hour without any orders reaching
us from the rear. So at last we all jumped up
and charged the sandhills meeting a very hot
rifle fire at 80 yards range. I got two bullets in
my right leg but they did not stop me. We ran
the enemy into Kikiramea Swamp. The right
subdivision was ordered to the right and the
left subdivision to the left, so that we fired on
them until we could see none alive.
We were standing to arms when General
Cameron and staff came up over the sandhills
and down to the swamp, having been attracted
by the firing. The first words he said to our
captain were— "How dare you charge without
my orders?"
Then "What is the number of
your company?" Having been told, he said—
"No. 2 Company of the 57th Regiment I
will punish you for disobeying orders. Form
company along the edge of the swamp and
extend in skirmishing order. This having been
done he gave the order "Advance”, and every
man you find dead or wounded carry them out
and lay them on the top of the swamp."
Each file of men came across a large number
of Maoris. Owing to there being a foot of mud
and about twelve inches of water over the mud
we had to be very careful in carrying the
bodies to the side of the swamp. Right in the
middle of the swamp there were two clumps
! of flax bushes, and hidden there
Maoris, whom we took prisoners.
were two
General Cameron made them act as guides to
show us where the Maori pahs are all along
the coast. He gave them to understand that if
they misled him he would hang them up by the
neck on the first tree we came across; so they
did their duty. We got off very light.
According to the Maoris their loss was about
300. We carried out about 75. The rest were
buried in the mud and water.
Our casualties were three men wounded. Their
names were James Bates, John Drummett,
and myself (H. J. Vardy).* James Bates was
severely wounded on the right arm, and had it
amputated just below the shoulder. John
Drummet was struck by the bullet on the head
and it rose and went just under the peak of his
forage cap, taking the hair and skin right up
the centre of his head and then out through
the crown of his forage cap, which was a very
close shave for him.
* added by writer
For myself one bullet had only gone half-way
in, and the other had only just taken the skin
and bruised the shin bone.
I went to the swamp to wash the mud out of
my boots. When the doctor came along he
asked me what the matter was. I told him it
was only a scratch. He stooped down and
examined the leg and said, "Go and wash your
leg." He got his instruments and put a probe in
the wound and lifted out the bullet and threw it
into the swamp. He then took some sticking
plaster and covered each wound and said to
me, "There, that will do you."
We could thank God that we had been
so fortunate. The next day we marched to
Manawapou, and next day to Waingogoro
where we remained until General Chut and
his staff came. They started from Taranaki to
cross the Cape Egmont ranges, through the
scrub. The force had to cut its way through
the vines, and they could only cut half a mile
a day. They ran out of rations, and they had to
eat some of the pack horses before they got
to Waingorora. This march was to confiscate
all the coast land, and then we were to
march inland and take everything that came
in our way.
We lost Major Hassett at Manawapou,
where he was wounded and died three days
after. We lost a good many men at Otipua ;
but we cleared the whole way down the
Wanganui.
Then we got orders to take ship round to
Onehunga near Auckland. Then we had to
go up the Waikato River to relieve the
volunteer. There they formed the militia, and
our regiment marched to Auckland, where we
went into barracks. The 57th Regiment was
under orders to go home from foreign stations,
and the order was that those who had 10 years'
service could, if they preferred, remain in the
colonies. So there were a number that
preferred to remain.
When I got my discharge I went down to the
West Coast diggings, where I lost all my
family trinkets and discharge medals, for the
Russian war and for New Zealand. Everything,
in fact, that I possessed, and specimens of
natural history.
I then joined the New Zealand detective
force under Sergeant Brown after a while. I
did this in order to try and find the thief who
robbed me of my medals, etc. While in the
force I followed and arrested a man who had
stolen some gold. He was convicted and got
six years.
! Then I resigned and came to Sydney. I was for
a time collecting for a firm in Sydney, and so
went to Copmanhurst, on the Clarence,
where I took a job of engine driving at
Ramornie Meat Works. Meeting the late
Mr. Spencer Cottee in Grafton I was engaged
to come to Wardell to drive the engine. Later I
had service with Mr. George Cottee, who
bought Glasgow's saw mills, Lismore. Since
I left the service, I have lost the fingers of my
right hand, and the large toe of my right foot.
The former occur red at Lithgow, where I was
working a portable engine for a time. I married
while on the Clarence, and Mrs.Vardy is still
hale and hearty. Of our family of 11 seven still
survive, namely four daughters and three
sons.
Mr. Vardy is in his 73rd year, and his eye lit
up when, in response to a question he said—
"I could pull a trigger and fire a rifle yet in
defence of my adopted country and for the old
flag. I could fire pretty straight in my time
with the old Minie and Enfield rifles, as many
a Maori found out. Some other time I shall
give the "Star" a few of my experiences as a
soldier and as an Australasian colonist, but I
desire specially that the cadets should hear
something of soldiery 50 years ago.
(The old veteran is still very vigorous, and we
hope will, as he promises, give us some of his
reminiscences and experiences.)
Attachment 2 – 1909 Newspaper Article
TOLD BY SERGEANT VARDY
In my previous letter I told of being one of
those sent to Aden. After leaving Malta, No 1
and 2 Company landed at Alexandria. At the
station the slaves, instead of an engine were
shunting each truck. About 30 or 40 of them
were employed at each truck and they sang all
the time. We streamed down to the river Nile,
where there was a swing bridge to connect the
line on the other side. There was a hotel there
kept by a Frenchman, and we stopped there for
a quarter of an hour.
From there we steamed down to Cairo, where
there was a slave market. We remained there
for about two hours, and we took a walk to the
market. There was an officer of some sort over
the slaves, and as soon as he saw our party
coming he gave one crack of a long stockwhip
he carried, and those in each pen at once
jumped up and started walking around. If they
did not walk quickly he would cut them with
his whip. He apparently thought we had come
to buy slaves.
When we boarded our train again it steamed a
short distance along the desert till we came to
another hotel which was also conducted by a
Frenchman. As the line went no further we
found a donkey provided for each soldier and
a black coolie to each pair of donkeys. The
first stage was 25 or 26 miles. As we
proceeded some of the donkeys did not keep
up with others, and then the boys would hit
them (from) behind. The animals then had a
trick of slewing suddenly, with the result that
the soldier would be thrown. Then there
would be a general laugh until some other
one's turn came. All along the stage
you could see nothing but barren, glittering
white sand. From this station to Suez the
distance was about the same as last. Fresh
donkeys were provided here, and much fun as
we had the previous day there was twice as
much on the stage to Suez. The reader will, of
course, understand that at the period I write of
there was no Suez Canal. When we reached
Suez there was a little tug boat or tender which
!" took us soldiers out into the Red Sea and put
us on board a larger steamer called the Alma,
and then we steamed off to Aden, which was
our destination. I remember it was my first
experience of seeing the flying fishes, a
number of which fell on our decks in their
attempted aerial flight, and very curious fish
they looked on close examination.
On reaching Aden we were landed just under
the lighthouse which is situated on top of the
Chum Chum heights. We then had about three
miles' march up to the Main pass drawbridge.
This was where the Sepoys were quartered
that we were sent out to disarm, and it was on
the main and only road giving access to Aden.
They did not quite know what to make of us as
we were in khaki dress, and they appeared to
look upon us as invaders. It was a long time
before they would lower the drawbridge for
us. At last they did so, permitting us to pass
through, and so we then had a further march of
a mile before we reached our bungalows or
quarters. The wagons conveyed our arms,
chest immediately behind us. As soon as our
arms and ammunition were available we got
out the arms and regular uniform. We then
formed company and the officer told us off in
guards. It came to my turn as Lance-Corporal
to be with the main pass guard.
We marched up the main pass and
were relieved the Sepoys. The officer
marched back with the Sepoys to our
bungalow. He gave the word. "Halt; front
dress; even front ; rear rank take open order.
March. Front rank right about face; ground
arms. Front rank right about face; rear rank
take close orders; march two paces to your
front. March." That left the arms behind. Our
men gathered them up and put them into the
bungalow. It was then that the Sepoys found
out that their plot had been found out. They
spat on the ground and danced. So they served
every guard the same. All the Sepoys were
thus disarmed, but the Government had to
keep them in rations.
While we were in Aden a wild tribe of Arabs
built a village about 10 miles from Aden. They
called it by the name Sachee. Then they
commenced to rob the chiefs as they passed on
their way to Aden. So the friendly chiefs sent
into the commanding officer, and told him that
the wild Arabs would rob them if they came
on. So the officer got 100 men from the mano'war, and formed a naval contingent, and
with 100 of us were marched out across the
isthmus to the village. We went straight up to
the village and set fire to it. The Arab robbers
had retired about a mile just to be out of
harm's way, and when they saw us fire the
place they stood up on their dromedaries, a
speedy kind of camel ; but would not come
any nearer, and they were not game to attack
us. We then returned to Aden. This prevented
them interfering with other friendly tribes,
who came along without being held up,
bringing their produce. The next week we had
them in with their cow camels, dromedaries,
elephants, and all kinds of goods and plenty of
straw everything in fact for both man and
beast and the road was kept clear.
There is not much else to relate about India
except that General Pennefather gave us plenty
of field days in the heat or sun as I have
previously told.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/72208794?searchTerm=Vardy&searchLimits=l-­‐title=81 !! Attachment 3 – 1919 (27 Sept) Newspaper Article (our highlights)
We have gleaned some further particulars in regard to that esteemed old soldier, Mr. H. J. Vardy,
namely the noteworthy fact that he is a veteran of j the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, and the
Maori War.
He served in the Crimean War in 1855, and in the Indian Mutiny from 1858 until 1861, and in the
Maori War from January 1861 until 1862, when he got his dis-charge after eleven years and two
months active service.
He tells how when the never- to-be-forgot Indian Mutiny broke out, No. 2 and 3 Company had to
hasten from Malta to Alexandria and across the Desert to Suez and on to Aden to disband the 4th
Sepoy Regiment, which had determined to mutiny and kill all the white men. They reached their
objective just three days before the time fixed for the out-break and disarmed the regiment, and, adds
Mr, Vardy, when they found they were done, they would turn round and stare at us.
Then we joined our regiment at Poonah.
These are the events and wars that have built up our Empire, and all honour to all old soldiers
throughout our lands.
Mr. Vardy, wearing his medals, had the honour of being received by Lord Chelmsford (Viceroy of
India throughout the recent great-war) when, as Governor of New South Wales, he visited Byron
Bay in 1919, as did also the late Dr. Dalton, also a Crimean veteran, he having been the youngest
surgeon serving with the army.
!" Attachment 4 – 1926 Newspaper Article (our highlights)
CRIMEAN WAR VETERAN
NINETIETH BIRTHDAY BRIEF REVIEW OF WAR RECORD
Mr. H. J. Vardy, of South Lismore, was the guest of honour at his daughter's (Mrs. M. Hancock)
residence, North Lismore, yesterday, the occasion being the celebration of his 90th birthday. Letters
and telegrams of congratulation were received from all over the district.
Mr. Vardy comes of a long-living family, his father and his mother living to well into the seventies,
while the collective ages of his five brothers and himself amount to 465 years.
The son of a storekeeper, Mr. H. J. Vardy was born at Hocknell, Nottinghamshire, England, in
1836, and spent his boyhood days in that township. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to the
engineering trade, his employers being Messrs. Steenson and Roston.
In 1854, when the Crimean War broke out, he enlisted for 10 years (not to excced 12 years)
with the British Army, and was attached to the 57th Regiment (the Old Diehards). Mr.Vardy tells
many fine stories of his experiences in the battles of Inkermann, Sebastopol and Balaclava.
"On the 5th October, 1855," says Mr. Vardy, "the 63rd, 21st, and 57th regiments were engaged in
that memorable battle against the Russians at Balaclava, when the battle continued for two days
without a break, and when the old time 960 yards range Minya rifles, and batteries of cannons
blazed forth practically unceasingly. Florence Nightingale was the angel among the soldiers during
this battle and was loved by all of us."
In 1857 Mr. Vardy went to India to take part in suppressing the Indian Mutiny, and after three years'
service his regiment was ordered to ship to New Zealand to participate in the Maori War. After four
years as an enlisted soldier (as a non-commissioned officer) his term of enlistment concluded and he
joined the army of 10,000 volunteers.
Eighteen months later (after being wounded twice in the right leg) he was discharged from the
army and thus ended a fine military career.
He then spent two years gold digging in New Zealand, and later on joined the detective force,
reminiscences of which he loves to tell.
In 1867 Mr. Vardy came to Sydney, en route to the Clarence River, and on 28th February, 1868, he
was married at Ramornie station to Kathleen Smith, daughter of a mate of the Dunbar, who perished
with his ship when she was wrecked at the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Vardy and family came over to the Richmond, where Mr. Vardy was
employed as engineer at Cottee and Sharpe's mill, and later at N.S. Wales Creamery, Smith's mill at
Dunoon, and Hicks's bacon factory. It is now fifteen years since his retirement.
Mr. and Mrs. Vardy are still hale and hearty (although Mr. Vardy is a little camera shy) and are
happy in the thought that they are the parents of a family of three sons, Charles (Tweed Heads),
Henry (Wardell), and Clarence (Thirroul), and four daughters, Mrs. M. Hancock and Mrs. A. Maher
(Lismore), Mrs. L. Browne (Banga- low) and Mrs. A. Maher (Murwillumbah). They have also 43
grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Source: TROVE
!" !" Attachment 5 – 1926 Newspaper Article (our highlights)
OBITUARY
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/94093833?searchTerm=VARDY&searchLimits=lstate=New+South+Wales|||l-title=81
MR. H. J. VARDY
The death occurred at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Mark Hancock, at North Lismore yesterday
of Mr. H. J. Vardy, aged 93 years, after an illness extending over a period of nine weeks resulting
from a fall at his home in South Lismore.
Mr. Vardy was born in Nottingham (England) in 1836, a few months prior to the as accession of
Queen Victoria to the throne. He enlisted for the Crimean war at the age of 19 years and attained
the rank of sergeant and was the last surviving Crimean war veteran in Lismore.
He arrived in Australia in 1866 and was an engine driver until he retired about 28 years ago. He first
came to the Richmond River in 1869.
His occupation necessitated various changes of residence, but he resided in Lismore continuously
since 1888. He was married in 1868 to Catherine Smith at Ramornie, on the Orara River.
Prior to his arrival in Australia. Mr. Vardy served with the 57th Regiment (then commonly called
"The Old Diehards" in the Indian mutiny and also in the Maori war (N.Z.)
Mr. Vardy is survived by his widow and six children, Charles (Tweed River), Harry (Wardell),
Clarence (Thirroul), Mrs. A. Maher (Murwillumbah), Mrs. M. Hancock (North Lismore), and Mrs.
L. Browne (Sydney), and was predeceased by one son and three daughters. He is also survived by 45
grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren,
!"