Quartermaster James A Hefferon



James Andrew Hefferon was a trumpeter in the Charge of the Light Brigade at the age of 18, and served in the Indian Mutiny. He was born in 1836 the son of a sergeant in the 8th Hussars. He enlisted at the age of 14 as a trumpeter in November 1850. When the regiment returned to India in 1879 after 16 years in Britain, Hefferon was one of only two men who been in the Regiment during the Mutiny, the other being Colonel William Mussenden.

In 1877 he was made Honorary Lieutenant and Quartermaster. This photo must have been taken at that time as it shows him in officer's uniform with a lieutenant's crown on his collar. His medals include the two Crimean medals, Indian Mutiny medal, and his Long service and Good Conduct medal. He was promoted to Captain before he retired in December 1890.


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by Stephen Luscombe