Dear Mr Cornwell –
first of all, thank you for your novels, which fill my bookshelves and have been read and re-read. With Sharpe about to return, I wondered if you were aware of the story of Rifleman Christopher Ingham, who served with the 1st Battalion 95th Rifles from 1809 to 1829?
He then became the first and long-serving landlord of The Reservoir Tavern, in Keighley, West Yorks, and died in 1866 at the age of 80. His gravestone in Utley Cemetery, just outside Keighley, records his battle honours, including Waterloo.
I’m interested in his story because he’s local to my own roots and his service gives a tangible link to the events you portray so well in the Sharpe series. Below is a link to a story about Christopher Ingham in the local newspaper (The Keighley News), including an image of his gravestone.
Best regards,
Duncan Smith.