From: The Kentish Independent – Saturday June 10th, 1882
One of our heroes
has gone to his rest this week. Master
Gunner Daniel Cambridge, who has for several years had charge of the building
devoted to the Odnance Select Committee in the Royal Arsenal, but was compelled
by declining health to relinquish his post three months ago, died at 87,
Frederick Place, Plumstead, on Monday last, aged 62 years, of general debility,
due to the lingering effects of his severe wounds received in the Crimean War.
He will be buried to-day, in the presence of many friends and old comrades and
of his sorrowing family. His two sons are both in the service, one being a
conductor at the Cape, and the other a non-commissioned in the Royal
Artillery. For his gallantry in the Crimea he received
many distinctions, but his especial honour was the Victoria Cross for valour at
the Redan. At that time a sergeant in the Royal Artillery, he volunteered to spike
a Russian gun on the 8th September, 1855, and, aided by
three others, he succeeded in the exploit, but two of the four were
killed, and he was severely wounded. The same day, however, he went out in
front of the advanced trenches, carried in a wounded man, and was again himself
hit by a bullet. To that day’s adventures he owed wounds in the foot, hand, and
face, the latter shattering his lower jaw. He was also at Inkerman and received
all the medals for the Crimea from England, Turkey, and Sardinia. By the influence
of Sir Richard Dacres, under whose command he served in action, he was, at the
conclusion of 33 years service, appointed a yeoman of Her Majesty’s Body Guard,
a position of which he was very proud of. His manly
character found him many friends in high quarters, and a characteristic
incident in his career is related in connection with his “yeoman-service.” He
was at Marlborough House, on duty in his beef-eater uniform, when the present
Emporer of Russia, then the Cesarwich, observed his Victoria Cross, and asked
him where he earned it. “At Sebastopol, on the Redan,
your Highness,” replied the sturdy old soldier. “Ah,” said the Prince, “I was
there also.” “Yes, your Highness,” was the reply, “and I hope we may never meet
like that again.”
From: The Kentish Independent – Saturday June 17th, 1882
THE LATE MASTER GUNNER CAMBRIDGE.
The honour of a military funeral was accorded to the
remains of Mr. Daniel Cambridge, late of the Royal Artillery, of whom we gave a
brief biography last week. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, when
the body was borne on a gun carriage drawn by four horses, and covered with the
Union Jack, from the residence of the deceased’s family in Frederick Place,
Plumstead, to Plumstead Churchyard, where the burial service was performed by
the Rev. J Bellord, one of the Garrison chaplains. The officers present were
Capt. Rainbird R.A., Captain White R.A., and Quartermaster W Richey, R.A.
From: The Kentish Independent – Saturday June 17th, 1882
BIRTHS,
MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS
On the 4th inst., at 87 Frederick Place, Plumstead, Daniel Cambridge, pensioner, Royal
Artillery, aged 62 years.
