Quartermaster Major. John Berryman

Posts : 1093 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London

At age 29, John Berryman, Troop Sergeant-Major, 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) British Army was awarded Victoria's Cross for his actions in during the "Charge of the Light Brigade".
On 25 October 1854 at Balaclava, Crimea, Sergeant-Major Berryman, whose horse had been shot under him, stopped on the field with a wounded officer amidst a storm of shot and shell. Two sergeants, J. Farrell and J. Malone, came to his assistance and between them they carried the wounded officer out of range of the guns. He also saw service in the Angla Zulu War of 1879 as a Quartermaster Major and retired at that rank.
John Berryman was born in Dudley, Worcestershire on July 18, 1825, died at Woldingham on June 27, 1896. He is buried at St. Agatha's Church Yard, Woldingham.

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

He served with the regiment throughout its operations in the campaign. He was also present at the Battle of Ulundi. On the 25th October 1854, as a Troop-Sergeant-Major in the Crimean War he was at the Charge of Balaklava. In that campaign he earned the Victoria Cross.

He and Paymaster Captain John Brown, are the only two members of the 17th Lancers who went through Balaclava, Central India and South Africa. He was made Quartermaster of the 17th Lancers during 1865, until being relieved in 1881 by Douglas Shawe.

Date of Birth - 28th July 1825
The date of his First Appointment was 12th April 1864 as Quarter-Master (with Honorary rank of Major). He retired from the 5th Lancers with the same rank on28th July 1883.
Crimean Campaign, 1854-56 - Battles of Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman, and siege and fall of Sevastopol. Medal with 4 Clasps. Turkish Medal, and Victoria Cross

He was born in Dudley, Worcestershire on 18th July 1825 and he died in Woldingham, (a few miles south of Biggin Hill) Surrey on 27th June 1896. There is a Memorial to him in St Agatha’s Churchyard, Woldingham, Surrey.

See: Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves for grave details

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

I really cannot believe the speed in which you come up with the information on these chaps along with the photos of their graves. Shocked

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Mr Greaves

The reason I can be quick, is that the person mentioned is in my database. I have been collecting any info of these chaps for the last 20 years. I also used to go and photograph their graves but time and money puts a hold on grave hunting for now. :lol!:

1879Graves

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Major. John Berryman Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:34 pm

Its called dedication and its certainly looks like is paying off.

Posts : 705 Join date : 2012-05-05

"Major Berryman served with the 17th Lancers throughout the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the affairs of Bulganac and M'Kenzie's Farm (captured three of the enemy), night attack on the Russian nutiiosts on 19th Feb. 1855, battles of Alma, Balaklava (horse shot), Inkerman, and Tchernava, siege and fall of Sebastopol (Medal with four Clasps, Victoria Cross, and Turkish Modal): was awarded the YiC under the following circum- stances :—" Served with his regiment the whole of the Crimean war, was present at the battle of the Alma, and also engaged in the pursuit at Mackenzie's Farm, where he succeeded in capturing three Russian prisoners,when they were within reach of their own guns. Was present and charged at the battle of Balaklava, where, his horse being shot under him, he stopped on the field with a wounded Officer (Captain Webb) amidst a shower of shot and"shell, although repeatedl}' told by that Officer to consult hisown safety, and leive him, Init he refused to do so, and, on Sergeant John Farrell coming by, witlt his assistance cari'ied Captain Wel)b out of range of the guns. He has .also a Clasp for Inkerman." Served with the 17th Lancers in the Indian Mutiny campaigns of 1838-9. Also served in the Zulu war of 1879 (Meilal with Clasp)".

Subject: Qtr Mstr John Berryman Fri Sep 21, 2018 6:24 am

John Berryman V.C. was a Qtr Mstr with the 17th Lcrs , and served with this regt throughout it's operations in the Campaign , as stated present at Ulundi .
90th

Posts : 190 Join date : 2011-03-16 Age : 57

Are his medals in a museum these days.

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Towerboy

The location of his Medals are not publicly held.
His VC was sold in 1886 for the princely sum of £10.00.

Andy

Salute

Posts : 3385 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Also in 1886 The V.C. group to Troop Sergeant Major John Berryman, 17th Lancers appeared at auction. Berryman was awarded his V.C. for rescuing a wounded officer during the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava, during the Crimean War. Today this would be considered very much a 'classic', and as probably the best known 'Charge V.C.' would enhance any collection, yet it realised only £10, probably due to the fact that both the Cross and campaign medals suffered from 'heavy contact marks from years of faithful cavalry service'.

(Spink.com)

Posts : 190 Join date : 2011-03-16 Age : 57

I see J B Hayward had J Berrymans VC listed for sale in 1972.

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Major. John Berryman Tue May 05, 2020 11:35 pm

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Quartermaster John Berryman, V.C.
(John Young Collection.)

Subject: Qtrmstr Major John Berryman Wed May 06, 2020 6:33 pm

Thanks for sharing JY , excellent pic .
90th Salute

Posts : 190 Join date : 2011-03-16 Age : 57

John Young do you own John Berryman's medals? regards.

Subject: Re: Quartermaster Major. John Berryman Wed May 06, 2020 10:28 pm

Towerboy,

I am not a medal collector.

Regards,

JY

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