Page 223 - Reading Mercury

disappointment was felt by the receipt of a telegraphic message soon after the concert
commenced, that, through some misadventure near Reigate, the 7.15 p.m. train was
delayed, thus preventing the attendance of two of the principal vocalists, both
amateurs from London; but the vacancies in the programme thus caused were
instantly filled by the voluntary assistance of others—so that the whole passed off in
the most satisfactory manner. This town is certainly much indebted to those ladies and
gentleman who so kindly originated, and by the sacrifice of no slight amount of time
and personal exertion, carried out the arrangements, by which, an opportunity was
afforded of attending an entertainment of so attractive a character, and at the same
time materially aiding the Patriotic Fund. We heartily congratulate them on their
complete success, as evinced by the crowded attendance, and the unanimous
expressions of satisfaction heard on all sides throughout the evening. We cannot close
our notice without remarking the tasteful and elegant manner in which the hall was
very appropriately decorated by a few ladies and gentlemen who took much interest in
the arrangements, and thus most essentially added to the pleasing success of the
concert. Among the instrumentalists were Mr. Venus, of Reading; Mr. Fellows and
Mr. Clay; and the vocalists, Miss Stevens, Miss Phillips and Messrs. Syney, Smith,
Mattocks, Sullivan, &c.
The performance of all parties gave great satisfaction and delight.

1855
rd
Sat 3 March
DEATH OF A VETERAN
We have to record the decease, in this his native town, of Henry Aldridge, one of
the heroes of Waterloo, at the advanced age of 82 years. Deceased was born in the
town of Wokingham, where he passed his early years; and he also resided here ever
since his discharge from the army, and was therefore well known and generally
respected. When very young (about 16 years of age) he entered the Royal Berks
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Militia, and after serving therein about twelve years, volunteered into the 40
Regiment of Foot, in which he was promoted to the rank of corporal. He proceeded
with his regiment to the Peninsula in 1810, and from that time till after the battle of
Waterloo in 1815, he was engaged in most of the battles and great enterprise of that
eventful period; in fact, to attempt to mention more than a summary of them, would
be to enter into a detailed history of the leading events of the Wellington campaigns of
that period, as a glance at the subjoined list of engagements in which he actually took
part will show.
In September, 1810, he was at that battle of Husscos; 1811, May, at the siege of
Badajos, where he received a wound in his body; in this year he was also present at
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Campo Mayor; 1812, April 6 , at the storming of Badajos, where he was again
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th
nd
wounded; May 16 , at Albuera ; July 18 and 22 , at Salamanca; 1813, June 20 , at
the great victory at Vittoria, and in October and November in the Pyrenees; 1814,
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February 27 , at Orthes, and April 10 , at Toulouse. He also assisted at the celebrated
siege and capture of Cuidad Rodrigo, and the battles near Pampeluna, besides many
other skirmishes and encounters, the dates and accurate names of which had escaped
the old soldier’s memory. And lastly, he was engaged in the crowning victory of
Waterloo, which nobly ended his career of actual service, although he did not receive
his discharge from the army for several years. He received the Waterloo medal, and
no less than nine clasps for the following victories:--Besscos, Badajos, Albuera,
Salamanca, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Orthes, Toulouse, and Pampeluna. On leaving the
army he received a pension of sevenpence a day, which a few years ago was increased

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