TEETHING PROBLEMS, 1856–1867 57
Thimbleby based his claim on the statement made by an officer of another
regiment who had observed his conduct during the assault on Sebastopol
18 June 1855:
In the attack that took place yesterday by the 2nd Brigade 3rd Division we
especially remarked the conduct of Private Robert Thimbleby No. 3475
44th Regiment who distinguished himself by his gallant conduct while in
the most advanced spot. We also know that he attended to the wounded
of the several Regiments engaged under a most heavy fire.
His soldierlike behaviour and assistance rendered to the officers during
the occupation of the advanced Houses were particularly remarked.
He also volunteered for and was one of the advance guard.^50
The Duke of Cambridge did ‘cause an enquiry to be made’ concerning
Thimbleby’s claims. He contacted the 44th for details and annotation of
Thimbleby’s reported heroism. Colonel Stanley of the 44th replied that it
was possible Thimbleby may have acted with great gallantry, but that he
himself had not witnessed any act on the private’s behalf. As to the ‘attending
to the wounded of the several Regiments under a most heavy fire,’ witnesses
examined within the regiment reported that this had been done under cover
inside the aforementioned houses. He concluded his reply by stating that
‘there is not a man in the Regiment who considers that he is entitled to the
decoration he claims.’^51
Colonel Stanley also included a copy of Thimbleby’s service record for the
period in question. He had arrived in the Crimea on 14 September 1854,
and had served as orderly to Lieutenant Bradford. He left the Crimea with the
wounded Bradford on 23 October, and spent the bitter winter of 1854–55
in sunny Malta. He returned to the Crimea 15 February 1855 and became
Brevet Major Fletcher’s batman until May 1855. In June he spent three or
four days in the trenches before Sevastopol; after this he was put to work
building a hut for General Sir William Eyre, but was dismissed from that
labor party under strong suspicion of theft. The application was rejected.
Robert Thimbleby was not deterred by this rejection and continued to
press his claim for the VC. John Thimbleby (relationship to Robert unclear)
wrote the Duke of Cambridge on Robert’s behalf, describing in great detail
his exploits. He pulled out all the stops, stating that Robert not only deserved
a Victoria Cross, but a promotion as well, as it was only a circumstance of
education – or the lack thereof – that had kept him a private since he had
enlisted in 1848.^52 This did not change the Duke’s mind, and Thimbleby was
again denied the VC. Undeterred, the private continued writing Cambridge
lily
(lily)
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