A forgotten Crimean war hero is to be honoured by having a new road named after him.
Sergeant John Howes was one of the last men who made it back alive after he charged the Russian guns in the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854.
He was one of only 200 men out of 600 who survived the Charge of the Light Brigade and was decorated with the Crimean Turkish medal for his gallant efforts.
He was buried in Lodge Hill Cemetery in Weoley Castle, when he died aged 74.
Local councillor Peter Douglas Osborn (Con) has announced that a development of new homes which are currently under construction, will be named ‘Howes Close’, after the soldier.
Howes was born in 1828 and enlisted in the army in November 1846, aged 18.
Sergeant Howes took part in the charge against the Russians and according to accounts, was slightly wounded and was the last man to return to the lines.
He later became Troop Sergeant-Major and was discharged in 1860.
After the war, he returned to Birmingham and lived in Spring Road, Edgbaston. He also lived in Jamaica Row and claimed from the Light Brigade Relief Fund.
In addition he helped to form the Birmingham Military Veteran’s Association in 1894 to aid local survivors of the Crimean and Indian Mutiny Campaigns.
He died suddenly on Christmas Day, 1902.
His story inspired Councillor Osborn to lobby the council to get the new close named after him.
Coun Osborn said: “He’s a star of Weoley Castle.
“His plot is itself looking over the new road which we are having named after him. It relates the new homes to the historical context to the area.
“The public can relate to someone who was a hero.
“I’d like to thank Councillor Mike Sharpe for his help.”
