John Ashley Kilvert

Alderman John Ashley Kilvert (1833–1920) was an English soldier and later businessman and politician, who became Mayor of Wednesbury, then in Staffordshire, England. He served as a cavalryman with the 11th Hussars in the Crimean War, where he survived the Charge of the Light Brigade. His medals are displayed at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery.

Early life

Kilvert was born on 29 September 1833, at High Ercall, Shropshire, the son of George Kilvert, a farmer. He was educated at High Ercall Grammar School. part of the British Army, in Nottingham. He was hit by a musket ball which passed through his right leg, and then into his horse. The next day he was promoted to sergeant.

He subsequently worked as an army recruiter based in Bath. which he named 'Balaclava House', after the battle.

Legacy

Kilvert's medals. The lower pair are miniatures, worn with mess dress. The Turkish award is on the left.

Kilvert died in Wednesbury on 17 October 1920 and was buried in plot A1037 at Wood Green Cemetery there on 22 October. After passing through several hands they were bought, innocently, by Walter Hands, a medal collector from Walsall. After his death, Mrs Hands put them up for auction in 2013, when their origin was identified and she agreed to donate them back to the museum.

A portrait of Kilvert, in oil, in which he is shown wearing civic regalia, is also at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery. The artist is unknown.

The sword Kilvert used at the Charge of the Light Brigade is in the possession of Sandwell College where one of the floors at Central Campus is named after him.