Trooper James Purves

Trooper James Charles Purves, 11th Hussars. He took part in the Charge of Light Cavalry at Balaklava on 25th October 1854. He was wounded in the leg by a cannonball on the ride back from the Russian Guns in the North Valley and was sent down to Scutari outside Constantinople where he died on 2nd January 1855, aged 25. Interestingly he was nursed there by a lady from Berwick-Upon-Tweed. He had been born and brought up on the farm of Lennelhill but as a younger son he had to make his own way in the world. Consequently he went to London where he enlisted in the 11th Hussars, Lord Cardigans Regiment. Coldstream History Society have placed a plaque in his memory on the wall of Coldstream Parish Church where his father Alexander was an Elder for many years. The society have also raised and repaired the family Headstone in Lennel Churchyard.