Posts Tagged ‘Crimean Memories’

It seems like lately I’m always packing. Getting ready for the Gettysburg Toy Soldier Show. I’ve been asked to give a talk on the journey to photographing and writing “Crimean Memories” and am looking forward to it. I’ll be giving that talk at the show at The Gettysburg Hotel tomorrow, Sunday, 25 Apr 2010, at 11:00 am… Come on over.

Ram's Head Snuff Mull - 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foot

So many of the 1500 photographs I took in the UK for our recently released book, “Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War,” were unusual, with interesting histories, but this snuff mull is one of my absolute favorites. It is a silver mounted ram’s head snuff mull, which had a home in the Officer’s Mess of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foot until the Crimean War.

The Crimean War took place between 1854 and 1856, primarily on the Crimean Peninsula in today’s Ukraine. Imperial Russia had for some time been exhibiting expansionist ambitions which were threatening established trade routes to India. Under what was perceived as a veiled attempt to further these ambitions, Russia invaded parts of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). Britain, France, and eventually Sardinia joined Turkey and declared war on Imperial Russia.

The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foot, more commonly known as The Black Watch, landed at Kalamita Bay in the Crimea in September1854, as part of the Highland Brigade, 1st Division, of the English Army of the East. Their battle honours include Alma, and the Siege of Sevastopol.

The snuff mull in this photograph is the head shoulders and horns of a ram, and is about two feet square. It currently rests in a fine case in The Black Watch Museum, Perth, Scotland, where we found it. It was originally in the 42nd Regiment Officers’ Mess, and contained snuff in the round silver jeweled tray on its top between the horns. There was a ritual-like ceremony attached to the snuff use that each officer was bound by mess tradition to follow.

According to the Black Watch Museum records, this particular mull was brought to the Crimea by the Highland officers to be used in their mess, but upon arrival, they found no source for proper snuff. Thus, the commanding officer used the snuff mull as an inkpot. On close examination you can see the ink stains inside the round tray on top of the mull.

After the war, the mull was lost. It literally disappeared for 75 years. It was found under odd, but interesting circumstances. There is now a silver plate added on the front of the snuff mull which reads: “This Black Watch snuff mull was discovered in a saleroom by H.M. Queen Mary who presented it to the Black Watch in 1932.”

Thus, this superb artefact found its way to its rightful home, and I found an amazing story to attach to my photograph of this noble creature. There’s something endearing about the way he is looking at you – almost as though he’s looking across the ages.

This artifact was photographed courtesy of The Black Watch Museum, Perth, Scotland.

I thought I’d tell the stories of two of my favorite horse heros who took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War.  The first is the horse ridden by Captain Louis Nolan, 15th Hussars, on the staff of Brigadier General Richard Airey, Deputy Quartermaster General of the British Army of the East.  The second horse is “Ronald,” who belonged to Lord Cardigan, Commander of the Light Brigade.  Both of these horses survived the charge, although hundreds of their four legged comrades did not.

I don’t know the name of Nolan’s horse, but I do know it was one fine animal.  It was a former troop horse of the 13th Light Dragoons.  When Nolan was assigned to deliver the fateful order, which, although misinterpreted, triggered the disastrous charge, it was in no small part due to his expertise as a horseman.  The order had to be delivered quickly, which meant Nolan had to ride at speed down into the valley from the heights.  A treacherous journey requiring both an accomplished rider and a superb steed.

After delivering the order telling Lord Lucan, the Cavalry Division commander, to attack “the guns,” Nolan joined his friend, Captain William Morris, Acting Commander, 17th Lancers.  Although a staff officer, Nolan was determined not to be left out of this action.  As the Light Brigade advanced, Nolan was seen to ride forward on his own.  His reasons are the subject of vast controversy and much speculation.  In any event, his audacity didn’t last long.  He was struck in the chest by a piece of shrapnel, making him one of the first casualties of the charge.

Nolan, or perhaps only his body, remained upright in the saddle.  The horse veered right, then back through the advancing line of the 13th Light Dragoons, the horse’s former regiment.  After passing through the lines, Captain Nolan finally fell to the ground, but his gallant horse was not through.  Troop Sergeant Major John Linkon of the 13th had just lost his horse.  He managed to mount Nolan’s horse and rode after his regiment.  Thus, although Captain Nolan did not complete the famous charge, his horse did.

Lieutenant-General Lord James Thomas Brudenell, the seventh Earl of Cardigan, leader of the Light Brigade, was without question brave, but not a particularly astute military leader.  He led his courageous brigade into the “valley of death,” through a veritable gauntlet of Russian canon and small arms fire.  He did this to obey a poorly considered, badly worded, and certainly misunderstood order.

Lord Cardigan was riding his cherished handsome chestnut horse, Ronald.  Ronald was lovingly brought to the valleys of the Crimea by ship all the way from Deene Park, Northhamptonshire, the Brudenell family home.

At Balaclava, on 25 October 1854, the black day of the ‘Charge,’ Lord Cardigan took Ronald straight into the teeth of the massed Russian canon.  Ronald survived the charge, as did his master, without a scratch, to return to Deene Park and live out their days with the memory of this ill-conceived, yet magnificent action.  Many of the troopers he led, and even more of their horses, were not so lucky.

Ronald's Hoof, courtesy of The Royal King's Hussars Museum - Photo from Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War

In remembrance of this loyal and magnificent horse, one of his hooves was placed on a bronze pillow, surmounted by a small statue of Lord Cardigan riding Ronald.  This artefact can be seen at The King’s Royal Hussars Museum, Peninsula Barracks, Winchester, UK. It can also be seen in my photography book, Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War.

There are many excellent books written about the Charge of the Light Brigade, but if you want to read a rather new release about Nolan, Cradigan, and the charge, I recommend Messenger of Death:  Captain Nolan and the Charge of the Light Brigade, by David Buttery.

Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War - released by Schiffer Publishing 2009

The journey to publication of Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War wasn’t merely about the technical or logistical side of the photography or the history of the artefacts.  It was, in fact, a people experience Mike Vice and I will never forget.

Six months before our first one-week “recce” visit to see if the project was even feasible we started sending letters to museums and collectors asking what their Crimean collection consisted of, and permission to photograph.  The response was much better than expected, and our subsequent first visit was a rousing success.  The project was, indeed, reasonable and achievable, but the budget was going to be tight.

We planned and coordinated our second 4-6 week visit with detailed appointments for shooting and a grueling itinerary.  Our major bases of operation were London (south of England), Halifax (middle and north of England), Edinburgh (Scotland), and a town whose name I can’t even pronounce in Wales.  We planned to take day trips from these places like the spokes in a wheel, and it worked, far above expectations.  To accomplish this, however, we had to find lodging, and that expense alone might have crippled us.  It did not.  Because we had so many kind friends who supported us, and the worthiness of the project.

In London, Sergeant Kevin Gorman, Archivist, Scots Guards, and the son I never had, found us more than reasonable accommodations. He was, as well, an invaluable help with various aspects of the project.

In Halifax, we stayed at the home of a dear friend, LtCol Wade Russell, Royal Tank Regiment (Ret), for weeks on end.  Whether we arose at 2 or 3 am, and in spite of our protests, Wade was always there, making us breakfast for the road.  Whatever time we returned, exhausted and bedraggled, he was waiting with a quiet smile and a fresh gin and tonic.

We felt one of the larger collections was at the Green Howards Museum in Richmond, and that it would take more than a day to shoot.  Roger Chapman, the then curator, insisted we remain overnight with him and his lovely wife.

In Scotland, Wade made arrangements for us to stay at a military officer’s mess in Edinburgh – delightful, and within budget.  We ate at the enlisted mess, and spent the evenings in good company at the officer’s mess.

In Wales, our hosts were Bill Curtis and his wife, while we photographed his definitive weapons collection.  We then went on from there to shoot artefacts at the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.

The kindness and unending hospitality of these folks and so many others made the project not only possible, but so very enjoyable.  The new friends we made and the old friendships we nourished will be with us always.

What I want to talk about in Part II, tomorrow, is the reception of the museum staffs and private collectors to two ‘Yanks’ on a mission to photograph surviving artefacts from a very British war.

The Team - A/Sgt Kev Gorman, Scots Guards, Will, and Michael, surrounded by our equipment

Will and Roger Chapman, of the Green Howards. Photograph taken at the Crimean War Research Society Annual Meeting

Bill Curtis smiling among his collection - a happy man, indeed

Will, Mike, and Wade Russell at the Maypole Pub near Wade's house, not far from Halifax

Mike & a friend, Peter Lockwood, who was a wonderful host and great help in the project's early stages.

British officer's roundabout jacket showing campaign use (Details in book)

British officer's forage cap worn by a Victoria Cross recipient (Details in book)

Officer's breast plate (All the details and history are in the book)

I suspect we are all reflecting on the past year.  World events alone were enough to cause us pause – mostly involving that unmentionable word ‘Terrorism,’  which is likely being called something politically correct like ‘man-generated acts of random violence perpetrated in the name of a group or cause’  -  or in government-ease MAGARVIPNGC (I sometimes fear the inmates are finally running the asylum.) We also lost a few really good folks in 2009, like Andrew Wyeth, artist, J.G. Ballard, novelist, and Jack Cardiff, cinematographer and director.

I suspect many of us are reflecting on what it is we, personally, accomplished this past year.  Mine was unusually fruitful, if not overly ambitious.  In January/February my wife and I (and our dog, Robbie) traveled to Taos, New Mexico, to a wonderful rented hacienda, where I found the quiet and inspiration to write my latest novel, The Gettysburg Conspiracy.  I then spent the next months rewriting it until I’d hammered it into something I wanted to publish – writing is rewriting!

For the last half of 2009, I actually succeeded in publishing this novel, and bringing another five-year project to a close by successfully publishing a photographic compilation of surviving Crimean War artifacts – Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War.  They are both on the street now, and I will spend much of 2010 promoting them.

What did I learn this past year?  I learned that writing one, and publishing two books in the same year, although rewarding, is not something I will likely do again.  I am beginning to meet myself coming and going.  I am supposed to be retired from two careers – the military and Federal law enforcement.  I think I can say with full confidence that I have officially flunked ‘retirement.’

The other thing I learned this past year is how much I love and need my family (That would be Rosemary, Robbie, our dog, and Lummy and Sunny, our horses).  My family have a lot to put up with in me.  I am eternally thankful for their forbearance and support.

I know that the coming year will be awesome, and would like to wish anyone reading this … and I hope someone is … the happiest of new years, filled with the richness of love, friendships, and peace.

Taos hacienda - New Mexico

My family - minus the equine branch

Will Hutchison

I have so much to talk about right now. In the last several months I’ve published two books, my first non-fiction history and photography book, ‘Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War,’ and the sequel to my first historical fiction novel. My first novel was ‘Follow Me to Glory,’ about a young Scottish nobleman coming of age as a man and an officer in the Crimean War. The sequel, ‘The Gettysburg Conspiracy,’ takes this same officer, Ian Carlyle, into the American Civil War as a British observer, who then becomes involved against his will in a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. I won’t bore you with details, but if you want to know more I invite you to visit my web site at www.willhutchison.com.

The book launch for The Gettysburg Conspiracy was on the evening of 20 November 2009, at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg. It was part of Americas’ Arts “Hear, See, Now Event,” and was called “Cocktails, Conversation, and Conspiracy.” It was sold out, and I believe the folks attending had a grand time – I know I did.

Crimean Memories

Follow Me to Glory - 1st in the Ian Carlyle Series

The Gettysburg Conspiracy - 2nd in the Ian Carlyle Series