Names on the buses

317 Henry Holden

Connections with Brighton and Hove : It is a long way from Brighton to the middle of the USA but Henry Holden made that journey in the 19th century. He fought alongside General George Custer at the battle of Little Big Horn and was awarded the congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. Holden was born in Brighton in the late 1830s and became fascinated by the American Civil War. He went to America when he was about 25 and was soon fighting on the front line. Holden took part in the celebrated battle in 1876 in which Custer made his last stand and his men were massacred by the Indians. He risked his life many times in bringing supplies to his comrades and was rewarded for his bravery. Later he helped injured soldiers reach safety as the fighting ended. Holden became a regular soldier but in 1882 he was kicked by a horse in stables and broke his right knee. The injury was so severe that he was discharged. He was awarded a pension and returned to England, settling once more in Brighton. He married a woman called Frances and they lived in Rugby Place. Holden lived to be 69 and was buried in Brighton. His widow was buried in the same plot in 1938. There is no doubt that he showed immense courage as a soldier and that he witnessed terrible injuries during the battle.

317 Alexander Dennis Enviro - carried name since September 2019.