A HERO of the famous and bloody ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ has been honoured by Trafford Council.


Trooper John Palin, who died in 1901 and lived in Altrincham for most of his life, is acknowledged to be the last mounted man to return to British lines following the ill-fated cavalry charge.


The Charge of the Light Brigade, immortalised by Lord Tennyson’s poem of the same name, came about as a result of a miscommunication between commanders during the Crimean War – resulting in the Light Brigade being sent on a frontal assault of the wrong artillery battery – thus riding into direct enemy fire.


Of the 666 soldiers known to have ridden in the charge, which took place during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854, 271 became casualties –110 losing their lives.


Trooper Palin, of the 4th Light Dragoons, was buried in Altrincham Cemetery, but his grave deteriorated into a ‘sorry state’. according to fellow trooper, Albany Burrage.


Mr Burrage, served in the same regiment as Palin and felt it was wrong that a man who had given so much for his country could be forgotten.


Improvements have now been made to Palin’s grave and a plaque erected in his honour on the chapel wall at the cemetery.


“It’s a testament to the man, we had to do something for him and it was the only thing we could do,” said Mr Burrage.


Executive councillor for safe and strong communities, Cllr Jonathan Coupe, said: "We are proud to support this fitting tribute to John Palin, the last mounted man to return from the Charge of the Light Brigade.


“It is important that we continue to remember and commemorate the sacrifices people made to protect their country."