A SOLDIER who took part in The Charge of the Light Brigade and lived to tell the tale was honoured at his graveside - almost 150 years to the day since the massacre.

Troop Sergeant-Major Richard Hall Williams took part in the charge, one of the most disastrous episodes in British military history, on October 25, 1854.

His part in the Crimean War battle - and his subsequent role in the development of Freemasonry - was recognised at a special wreath-laying ceremony at St Mark's Church, Worsley.

Sgt-Major Williams died on July 7, 1910, aged 91. Civic, Masonic and military officials attended the service, during which a wreath was laid at his family grave. Also present was a great grandson of the war hero, James Glithero.

Local historian Bert Rogerson said: "We decided to hold the ceremony before the actual anniversary because many of the people will be out in the Crimea for a ceremony on the 25th."

Roy Collier, who organised the ceremony with Joseph Chesney, said the story of Sgt-Major Williams was a classic battlefield tale.

He said: "His role in the charge is well-documented. He was in the 17th Lancers, which made up part of the cavalry. It has become an accepted myth that he survived the charge because of a boil on his face.

"He was wearing a muffler at the time, and the story is that he looked so fearsome during the charge that the Russian gunners simply stopped firing for a brief period."

The Charge of the Light Brigade, which took place near Balaclava, was the result of a catastrophic error. More than 670 cavalrymen were mistakenly ordered to charge the Russian guns a mile away from the English line. In all, 110 men were killed, 130 wounded and 58 captured.

When he returned to Worsley, Williams, already a Freemason, was a founder member of the Worsley Lodge.