Our military connections:

William Smith 1778 – 1831

William’s Headstone, located under the holly trees on the left of the churchyard, is unusual in that it appears to have been altered after it was completed – William’s name appears to be a replacement for the original, incorrect, name which has been replaced with an insert of slate and a wedge.

William, the son of Thomas and Ann Smith, enlisted in the army aged 18 on the 1st November 1797 “for unlimited service”, and served for almost 24 years. Richard Stephens noted in the Parish Burial Register that he served as a Sergeant in the Leicester Cavalry and as a Troop Sergeant Major in the 18th Hussars – he also noted that William took part in the battles of Vitoria and Toulouse. William’s Headstone records these details, plus that he was wounded at the battle of Vitoria. These battles were fought as part of the Peninsular War against Bonaparte in Spain, commanded by the Duke of Wellington – who, as junior officer Arthur Wellesley, served in the 18th Hussars early in his career. The 18th Hussars (an Irish Cavalry Regiment, founded by the Marquis of Drogheda) also took part in the Battle of Waterloo, but there are no records of William’s involvement.

William made very quick progress through the ranks to the rank of Sergeant – which may reflect not only his good character and ability as a cavalryman but also, given the terrible attrition rate of the war, his good fortune in surviving. His length of service in the various ranks was:

Private 1 yr 4 days   Corporal 2 yrs 2 days  Sergeant 10 yrs 8 days  Troop Sergeant Major 10 yrs 300 days.

William was discharged from the Regiment on the 10th August 1821 due to the “Disbandment of the Regiment” with a character reference of “Very Good”. His discharge record describes him as “Aged 42, 5’ 11” tall, dark hair, blue eyes, dark complexion, occupation Labourer”.

William Kirk 1763 – 1807  and Sarah Kirk 1774 – 1807

The Porch over the south entrance to St. Peter’s was funded by William Bradley. On the left-hand side is a very weathered plaque to commemorate his sister and son-in-law, Sarah and William Kirk.

Sarah Bradley married William Kirk, a widower and an officer of the 17th Regiment of Foot, on the 11th March 1803 at St. Peter’s. William was listed as an Ensign in the 17th (The Leicestershire) Regiment of Foot in 1797. Sarah accompanied William when the regiment embarked to India in 1804. It saw action in the Bundelkhand region of India, where the local rulers had established in a number of large, well defended forts – one of which was Fort Comona.

The plaque records that Sarah died in Calcutta in October 1807. It also records that Captain William Kirk of the 17th Regiment of Foot (later the Leicestershire Regiment) was killed in battle during an attack on Fort Comona, India, on the 18th November 1807.

Edward Aitchison RN -Please see the seperate article on this page:

https://belgraveheritagetrust.org/st-peters-church/the-aitchison-family/

William Hubbard 1786 – 1822

William was the son of William and Mary Hubbard was baptised on the 28th May 1786 at St. Peter’s. William Hubbard of Belgrave is recorded as enlisting in the “2nd Dragoons, Waterloo” (later the “Royal Scots Dragoon Guards”) on the 27th January 1806, aged 19. A Framework Knitter prior to his enlistment, he served as a Private for 12 years and 296 days. William was discharged after “contracting a pulmonary complaint in the service and a tendency to apoplexy” on the 19th November 1818. His discharge record describes him as “5’ 7 3/4” tall, light brown hair, grey eyes, and a fresh complexion”. His conduct was rated as “vey good”.

James Bishop 1829 – 1855

James Bishop, of the “Bulls Head Inn, Belgrave” died “of Consumption” and was buried in February 1855. A note in the Parish Register records that James Bishop was a “Private in the Leicestershire Yeoman Cavalry”.

Martha Eliza Vernez 1807 – 1877

Martha Eliza may have been the daughter of Robert and Mary Buller of Carbrook, Norfolk. Martha Eliza married Peter Vernez, who served in the Royal Navy from at least 1810, and was promoted to the rank of Paymaster in October 1813, serving on HMS Rosario in 1814. Martha Eliza died on the 13th March and was buried on the 17th March, 1877. Her Headstone is on the right-hand side of the churchyard at the foot of a tree.