Enlisted at Dublin on the 8th of April 1839.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 8".
Trade: None shown.
From Private to Corporal, 1st of May 1846.
Corporal to Sergeant 1st of May 1846.
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 5th of July 1852.
Commissioned as Quartermaster on the 2nd of February 1855.
Resigned his commission on the 18th of April 1856.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.
He was the subject of a painting by Orlando Norie, which is now in the 17th/21st Lancers Museum at Belvoir Castle. (There is a photograph of this in the 17th Lancer file.)
After the Charge, O'Hara rallied some of the 17th Lancers in an effort to prevent the Russians from taking away their guns. (See Kinglake, pp. 301-303 and 395.)
In his "Memoirs" , 1004 Thomas Morley, 17th Lancers, says that at Inkerman he asked permission of Captain Morgan to be allowed to carry Cornet Clevland (who had been wounded) off the field. He was assisted in this by T.S.M O'Hara and his brother 716 James O'Hara. Both Morley and James O'Hara had their caps removed by a cannon-ball.
See the 17th Lancer "Scrapbook" for a copy of his Troop muster roll for the men of No 4 Troop in camp on the 8th of October 1854 and also for the names and numbers of men and horses killed, wounded or missing, from the Troop at the roll call after the Charge, and signed by him.
In 1974 a request for information was made by a member of the Irish Military History Society in their Journal The Irish Sword:
"I am conducting research regarding the life of QM/Troop Sergeant Major O'Hara, who rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on the 25th of October 1854 in the 17th Lancers. I know nothing about him after he resigned from the Army on the 18th of April 1856 at the age of 38. He had enlisted at Dublin and his next of kin on retirement was his sister, Eileen. I am trying to find out where he went to live, died, and was buried..."
[EJB: No mention was made of his (presumed) brother, Denis, neither was any response to this published in the Journal.]
In 1997 a collection of bound manuscripts formerly belonging to Lt. Colonel Charles Cameron Shute, the Assistant Adjutant General, Cavalry Division, were sold at a London auction. No interest in them was shown by the national bodies, NAM, PRO, etc., or perhaps they were not aware of their sale. Whether these were originals or copies is not known, but they covered a wide range of subjects and included private letters.
One volume, for instance, related to the medal awards and associated requests to Regimental commanders for nominations (but not all) for the French Legion of Honour. Other volumes contained letters relating to promotions of other ranks to commissioned rank, court-martials, etc. This archive was later split up and sold at the Dominic Winter Auction House in Swindon in 1999.
From some documents in the archive however, the reason for O'Hara's resigning his commission was found, in a particular Memoranda addressed to Brigadier General Shewell, CB, from Headquarters, Crimea, and dated the 12th of Jany. 1856:
"By direction of the Commander of the Forces I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Ismid, Jany 5th 1856 with its several enclosures relative to, and covering an application from Major Benson, Commanding 17th Lancers for a General Court Martial on QuarterMaster O'Hara of that Regt. on a charge of drunkenness, together with a letter from the Prisoner begging to be allowed to resign his commission without being brought to trial.
With reference to this case I am directed to inform you that the Commander of the Forces, taking into consideration the length of service of QuarterMaster O'Hara, has no objection to his retiring from the service by the resignation of his Commission — He will accordingly be put in Orders, and the papers sent by you will be transmitted home for the information of the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief. Admiral Grey will be good enough to order a free passage home for Qmr. O'Hara on application from you, stating this to be the wish of Sir William Codrington.
(Signed) Robert Blane, Military Secretary."
Further research has now revealed the full story, from his original recommendation for the position of QM to the anger of Brigadier General John Lawrenson that O'Hara had been allowed to resign his commission rather than be dismissed.
"To the Military Secretary, British Forces in the Crimea,
Camp near Balaclava.
30th December 1854.
Sir., — I have the honour to acquaint you for the information of Field Marshal Lord Raglan that the regiment under my command has been most inconvenienced by the loss of Regimental QuarterMaster Ffennell by death in December last and the active duty of that rank cannot be carried out by a non-commissioned officer without some detriment to the corps in that capacity.
I take leave under the urgency of the case for the general benefit of the service and the regiment to recommend Troop Sergeant Major Denis O'Hara of this Corps for the vacant appointment, whose steady and good conduct at all times greatly qualify him for the responsibility of the situation.
I have the honour to add that Troop Sergeant Major O'Hara's age is 37 years, 16th of the latter having been as a non-commissioned officer.
I am, etc., etc.
A. Learmonth, Captain,
Commanding, 17th Lancers."
[EJB: On the 12th of November he embarked with the Regiment for Ismid, Turkey, aboard H.M.S.T. "Etna."]
Letter to Brigadier General Shewell, CB:
"Ismid,
Jan. 4th 1856.
Sir, — I have the honour to forward herewith a charge against QuarterMaster O'Hara of the Regiment under my command for drunkenness — and I beg to inform you, much as I regret having to do so, that I feel myself compelled to act in this manner as this is not the first instance that has occurred of a similar character and although he has been placed under arrest and warned by me before the senior officers of the Regt, of what such conduct could lead to — it has had no effect and I need hardly add that it is impossible for the duties of a QuarterMaster to be carried on by a officer who is currently drinking.
I have the honour, etc., etc,
H.R. Benson, Major
Commg. 17th Lancers."
Letter to the Adjutant General:
"Ismid,
January 5th 1856.
Sir, — I have the honour to transmit an application from Major Benson, Commg. the 17th Lancers for a General Court-Martial on QuarterMaster Denis O'Hara of that regiment. and beg you will submit it for the consideration of the Brigadier General Commg. the Cavalry Division.
I have made particular enquiries into the circumstances attending this case and request to add that I have nothing of an extenuating nature to submit on behalf of the prisoner.
I am, etc., etc.
F.G. Shewell,
Commanding the Hussar Brigade:
"W.O. Form 733.
Headquarters, Ismid.
4th January 1856
To the Brigade Major, Hussar Brigade.
Application for a General Court-Martial. I have the honour to submit a charge against QuarterMaster Denis O'Hara of the Regiment under my command and request that you will obtain the sanction of Brig. General F.G. Shewell, CB. that a General Court-Martial may be assembled for his trial at Ismid. The Prisoner and Witnesses are both at Ismid.
I have the honour to be, etc., etc.
H.R. Benson, Major."
Charge submitted
"For having been drunk and concealing or attempting to conceal himself in a closet in his room at Ismid about Mid-day on or about the Ist day of January 1856, when required for duty for the Annual Inspection of Saddlery and Arms of the Regiment, ordered in Regimental Orders of the 31st Ultimo, such conduct being subversive of Good Order and Military Discipline and unbecoming the character of an Officer and Gentleman."
[EJB: The accompanying Surgeon's Certificate certified that QM. O'Hara was in a "good" state of health. The first intimation of the reason for his resigning his commission rather gives the impression that no Court-Martial on him was held, but there is a recorded Summary of Evidence. There is no recorded verdict however and his own petition that a court-martial would not be held and the letter from Major Benson accompanying this also gives the impression that it was not, the evidence being only to support a case being made.]
Summary of Evidence:
(1st Evidence)
"Ct. and Act. Adjt. James Duncan states that on the morning of the 1st of Jan. 1856 he went to the Q.M's room and told him that the Commanding Officer would make his annual inspection of Saddlery, etc., at 11 o'clock on that day and that he would be required to accompany him.
He also stated that this inspection was ordered on Regimental Orders on the 31st of December 1855. He sent an orderly at almost 12 o'clock to say that the Board was waiting, he could not find him, and he was then ordered to go himself. He went to his room, and found the door bolted from the inside. — He was again ordered to see if he could find him in the town. He could not, and on meeting the Commanding Officer he was ordered to take the orderly with him and take the QuarterMaster under arrest. He considered him to be labouring under the effects of drink, and consequently drunk.
J. Duncan, Ct.
Acting Adj., 17th Lancers."
(2nd Evidence)
"Capt. L. E. Knight states he attended the annual Inspection of Saddlery, etc., at Ismid on the 1st of January 1856. The Board waited some time for the QuarterMaster who was not present. When he accompanied the Commanding Officer to his house he found the door of his room fastened from the inside. No answer was returned to our knockings and on his batman saying that he thought his master was not in his room the Commanding Officer ordered the door to be burst which appeared to have been tied in an unusual manner with string.
The room was empty, but in trying the door of a closet in the corner of the room he found it to give a little as if some person was leaning against it and through the crevices of the door of this closet could see an officer, by his dress and cap leaning against it and trying to keep it shut. His batman then, by order of the Commanding Officer, forced the door open and on QuarterMaster O'Hara coming out into the room, he saw he was drunk.
Lewis E. Knight, Capt.
17th Lancers."
(3rd Evidence)
"Capt. John McCarthy states that on the 1st of January 1856 at Ismid he attended the Commanding Officer at his annual inspection of Saddlery, etc. He waited a considerable time for the QuarterMaster and afterwards accompanied the Commanding Officer to the QuarterMaster's house, and found the door of his room fastened from the inside. His servant stated that he had not seen him lately — or words to that effect. He then heard the Commanding Officer order his servant to knock at the door, and after repeated knockings without being answered ordered him to burst it open. No person was in the room, but in a closet opening from the room, the door of which was shut.
After some difficulty, considerable resistance having been offered from within it was opened by the batman and QuarterMaster O'Hara was found inside. He was ordered by the Commanding Officer to come out into the room and he did so, holding his hands to his head and saying that he was very ill. He considered him unfit for duty and at the time, drunk.
John McCarthy, Captain,
17th Lancers."
(4th Evidence)
"Captain and Paymaster John Stephenson states that he lives in the same house and in an adjoining room to the QuarterMaster. Between the hours of 7 and 8 on the morning of the 1st of January 1856 he heard the QuarterMaster moving about in his usual manner, and from his tone of voice he considered him to be sober at the time, When he went to his room about 10 o'clock to arrange about a Board of Survey on the Necessaries he found the door was fastened inside and he could not get in. He later accompanied the Commanding Officer and members of the Board about mid-day into the Quartermaster's room. After the door having been forced open he saw him come out of the closet adjoining his room and saw by his manner that he was drunk.
J. Stephenson
Paymaster, 1th Lancers."
Letter to Major Benson from Quartermaster O'Hara:
"Ismid.
4th January 1856.
Sir, — I beg leave to address you upon a subject of such paramount to me being placed under arrest by order charged with being drunk. I am sorry to say that I must plead guilty to that charge, but I hope, Sir, you will be so kind as to take into consideration my services for the last 17 years, 16 years of that time as a non-commissioned officer. I had during that time only days leave from the regiment and was never one day absent from it.
I have been in the field with it since the portion of the cavalry first landed in Turkey, served both campaigns with it and was present in action whenever the regiment was engaged and endured a large share of hard work and privation last winter and also since I have had the rank of Quarter-Master. I now begin to feel the effects of it, being several times attacked with ague and having rheumatism in the head and back which prevents me from getting very little rest at night that has caused me on a few occasions to use a stimulating drink much in proportion to what I have been able to bear. It will ever be a matter of painful regret to me for bringing disgrace on a rank in the Regiment that I always felt a pride serving in and with the exception of this, my last unfortunate occurrence could look back on with a feeling of pleasure.
I beg you, Sir, that you will take into consideration my previous service. I hope too, that you will be so kind as to allow me to retire without being bringing me to Court-martial as my being tried would still be a greater source of sorrow to me and might injure my future prospects in life to a very great extent, and again begging your kind consideration of the matter.
I beg to add that should my resignation be accepted or that I am cashiered by trial I hope in consideration of my past service I may be allowed a free passage to England and that you will be pleased to favour my request with your recommendation.
I remain, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
D. O'Hara, QMr. 17th Lancers."
Covering letter from Major Benson:
"Ismid,
Jan, 4th 1856.
Sir, — I have the honour to forward to you a letter which I have just received from QuarterMaster O'Hara of the regiment under my command, requesting that he be allowed to retire from the Service without being brought to a Court-martial. That letter I now enclose for your consideration in the hope that considering his previous good character as a soldier and as a N.C. Officer — the length of his service, and the prospects of resigning his commission, you will think that though the good of the service has been sufficiently supported by this further great punishment and the object of the regiment will be attained by just getting rid of him and that after this great penalty for his departure from duty he may settle and start back in life again- without the stigma of having been tried by a Court-martial.
I have the honour, etc., etc.
H.R. Benson, Major,
Commg., 17th Lancers."
[EJB: The efforts of Major Benson to mitigate any punishment seem at variance to the nature of opinions of him given by others of the regiment.]
Just when O'Hara left Ismid for England is not shown but he appears on the Brighton Depot muster rolls as being "On Leave" from the 24th of January to the 22nd of April 1856. (His address on arrival in England from the Crimea was No. 24 Salisbury Street, The Strand, London.)
This entry is the only one marking the end of his service and a sad reflection on his life. Only his old Commanding Officer had any more to say about him:
Letter to The Chief of Staff, Crimea:
"Scutari,
21st of March 1856,
Sir — I have the honour to bring to your notice that some time ago Quarter-master O'Hara of the 17th Lancers, against whom I forwarded a charge of drunkenness on duty, preferred by Major Benson, together with the said QuarterMaster's application to be allowed to resign his commission, was ordered home and to report himself to the Adjutant General at the Horse Guards.
To my surprise I see in the last General Orders, a notification that the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has been pleased to grant leave at the recommendation of a Medical Board to QuarterMaster O'Hara to the 22nd April.
I beg most strongly to urge that this Officer be at once removed from the Regiment and that Regimental Sergeant Major Garland, whom I have already recommended, may be promoted to the Commission of Quarter Master. which is of the utmost importance to the Regiment, should no longer remain vacant.
I have the honour, etc,.etc,
(Signed) J. Lawrenson, Brig.-General, Commanding Cavalry Division."