Hubert Delme Radcliffe: Local Hero

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Hubert Delme Radcliffe, first president of Hitchin FC.

Some brief details of his life, which ended at the early age of 39.

Born at Hitchin Priory on 27th March 1839

Baptised 4th May 1839 (father Frederick Peter Radcliffe, Esq.)

1851 At Rev. O. Seager's boarding school, Stevenage.

Educated at Winchester College

1st September 1854 Enlists as Ensign in Royal Welch Fusiliers (1st Battalion) Serves in the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny.
'Severely injured' at the capture of Redan, Sebastopol, Crimea.
Captain in the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

8th March 1859 Marries in Meerut, India to Caroline Griffin (b Midnapore, India 14th April 1838 d 9th March 1927 Middlesex).

1861 (On census day) Visiting Richard Rogers, a 'Gentleman - no profession', at Snarehill Mansion, Rushford, Norfolk, with his wife. Usual abode Hitchin Priory.

24th November 1865 elected first president of Hitchin FC.

Wednesday 24th April 1867 Judge at the athletic sports, held under the auspices of Hitchin Football Club.

1871 Living at Hitchin Priory.

Justice of the Peace for Hitchin and Stevenage Petty Sessional Divisions, and member of the Hitchin Local Board.

13th October 1878 Dies at 2, Kent's Terrace, Regents Park, London

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With deep regret we observe the name of Lieut. Delme Radcliffe of the 23rd Fusiliers in the list of wounded at the taking of Sebastopol. Our readers will be aware of the fact announced that 'Lieut. Delme Radcliffe is brother of the gallant young Radcliffe of the same regiment, who lost his life in the first Crimean encounter'. Every one in this county will, we are sure, sympathise with our excellent neighbour F.P.Delme Radcliffe, Esq., who, on hearing the agonising news of the death of a fondly loved son at the battle of the Alma, resolved that another son should fill the place of the lost one in our army, and the second offering of a gallant and patriotic father - at the shrine of his country's honour, has nearly fallen another victim to this terrible war. We are glad to announce however, that his wounds are not of a very serious nature.
Herts Guardian Saturday 22nd September 1855