A Widnes Charger

In Widnes cemetery just behind the crematorium  stands the grave of Thomas Wright. Thomas Wright was born in Warrington on 3rd December 1830. Little is known of his early life however on the 4th December 1851 he enlisted in the 17th Lancers. On 25th October 1854 Thomas Wright took his place with the 17th Lancers and charged with the Light Brigade . After the Crimean war he went with his regiment to India where he served during the Indian Mutiny. He left the army at Secunderabad in 1861 having served 9 years 126 days . He worked for his old officer Major Curzon in Leicestershire as a household servant before briefly working as a warder in Maidstone jail. He returned to Warrington and then resided in Widnes working as a night watchman. He suffered deteriorating health which prevented him from working and following a stroke he died on 15th May 1902 almost destitute. His gravestone was purchased by public subscription as a token of respect. Thomas Wright never married and his medals were pawned within his lifetime , he received the Crimean medal with the clasps Alma , Balaclava , Inkermann , and Sebastopol the Indian Mutiny medal , and the Turkish medal for the Crimea .