The Last Veteran Star Dedication - 4th July 2026

Today we honoured Samuel Lander Hough, the Last American Civil War veteran to die in the UK (with verifiable service). His last veteran status was marked by a star usually reserved for the last veteran to die in each US county within a state.

The plaque itself was obtained by Monuments for UK Veterans of the American Civil War Association through collaborating with Department of New Jersey, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The plaque is set in a a lovely piece of marble installed by Horobin Memorials.

Samuel was born in Derby in 1848 and emigrated with his parents in 1850. They settled in New Jersey.

Samuel was too young to join up at the outbreak of the war but in 1864 he lied about his age and enlisted in the 2nd New Jersey Cavalry. He served in the final years of the war.

He returned to Derby and eventually joined the London Branch of American Civil War Veterans. This was effectively the U.K. branch as there were no other branches in the U.K.

When Samuel died in 1940 he was the last surviving member of the branch.

Many of Samuel’s descendants attended the unveiling.

The plaque was unveiled by Brigadier Adam Fraser-Hitchen, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Derby and King Charles.

We think Samuel would have been pleased.