LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

Service

Cornet in the 8th Hussars: 23rd of May 1848.

1851 Census

Preston Cavalry Barracks, Steyning, Sussex

Samuel [sic] Calthorpe, 21, unmarried, Cornet, born London

Lieutenant, 8th Hussars: 23rd of May 1851,

Captain, 8th Hussars: 14th of September 1855.

Brevet-Major, 8th Hussars: 2nd of November 1855.

Major in the 5th Dragoon Guards: 2nd of December 1859.

Lieutenant-Colonel and assumed command of the regiment: 15th of February 1861.

On the 28th of June 1862, he married Elise — daughter of Captain Chambers, R.N., and the widow of Captain Frederick Crewe — at St. George, Hanover Square, London.

Marriage registered

Somerset John Gough Calthorpe to Eliza Maria Crewe, March Quarter 1862, St George Hanover Square

(Click on image to enlarge)

Colonel: 15th of February 1867.

On to half-pay: 15th of February 1867.

Major-General: 25th of June 1870.

Retired as Lieutenant-General: 1st of October 1877, and to the Reserve of Officers.

Colonel of the 5th Lancers: I8 November 1887 — 23rd of January 1892.

Colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards: 24th of January 1892 until his death.

Became the 7th Baron in July 1910.

Besides his house on the Isle of Wight he had residences at No. 16 Queen's Gate Place, London, S.W., and at Perry Hall, near Birmingham.

In 1868, while still in the Army, he tried unsuccessfully to become an M.P. for Hampshire. He took an active part in local affairs and was Chairman of the Isle of Wight County Council for 8 years, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Justices for 13 years, and a J.P. for Warwick.

1881 Census

No. 16 Queen's Gate, Kensington, London

The 1881 Census shows him as a Major General Active Service and a Magistrate, aged 50 years, born in the Parish of St. George Westminster, with his wife, Eliza Maria, born in France (British Subject) aged 48, and two daughters, aged 14 and 10 years.

Ten Household Staff were shown, four of them being of French or Italian birth.

1891 Census

16 Queens Gate Place, Kensington, London

Somerset J.G. Calthorpe, 60, Lt General — Hants, born St George's

Eliza M.G. Calthorpe, 58, born France, British Subject

Somerset F.G. Calthorpe, 28, son, Lt 3rd Battery Hants Regt, born Chelsea.

Lula M.G. Calthorpe, 24, dau, born Chelsea.

Lula [sic] E.G. Calthorpe, 20, dau, born Isle of Wight

Incl: 9 servants

In January of 1901 he was the first to welcome General Lord Roberts on the latter's return from South Africa, when he landed at East Cowes for the purpose of being received by Queen Victoria at Osborne House. He and his wife enjoyed the friendship of Queen Victoria, who often stayed with them.

1901 Census

Woodlands Vale, St Helens, Isle of Wight

Somerset Calthorpe, 70, General Officer — Service, born St Georges London

Eliza Calthorpe, 61, born Paris, France

Mabel Calthorpe, 32, daughter, born Chelsea

Incl: 10 servants

Campaign service

Captain Calthorpe served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55 as an A.D.C. to Lord Raglan, including the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and the Siege of Sebastopol. Medal and four Clasps, Brevet-Major and the Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class and the Legion of Honour, 5th Class.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, the Turkish Medal and the Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class.

There are also references in various publications as to his having been awarded the 5th Class of the Legion of Honour, but no trace of this award can be found on the list published by the War Office on the 2nd of August 1856.

He is shown on the "Staff" roll for the Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman clasps, and on that of the 8th Hussars for Sebastopol. Appointed a C.B. on the 30th of June 1905 and a K.C.B. on the 30th of June 1908.

Later shown as being awarded the Legion of Honour, 5th Class, in a supplementary list published in the London Gazette on the 1st of May 1857.

From the letters of Colonel Edward Hodges of the 4th Dragoon Guards, referring to the death of Lord Raglan:

"All the four A.D.C.s are to go home with the body...

Captain Calthorpe, of the 8th Hussars, whose regiment is in the field, ought to be ashamed of himself. He has lived on the fat of the land all the winter and now runs away when something is likely to be done."

[He was the youngest of all Lord Raglan's four aides-de-camp, all of whom were Raglan's nephews.]

Following his experiences in the Crimea he published, in 1856, "Letters from Headquarters on the realities of the war in the Crimea " — by An Officer on the Staff".

In this he made several uncomplimentary references to Lord Cardigan, including one that implied that Cardigan had never reached the guns during the Charge.Cardigan demanded a retraction and asked for him to be court-martialled.

When this was refused Cardigan applied for, and obtained, a law-suit for libel which was heard in the Queen's Bench Division in June of 1863. (See the record of James Thomas Brudenell.)

[PB: There is a LOT of material on this in the EJBA. PDF copies of both parts have been saved in Calthorpe's personal folder. the Also Tony Margrave has written a good summary of the issues — see e.g. here.]

Death & burial

He died at Woodlands Vale, near Ride, Isle of Wight, on the 12th of November 1912, aged 82 years. He had been in failing health for some time prior to his death.

Deaths registered

Somerset J.G Calthorpe, aged 81 years, December Quarter 1912, I. Wight

Eliza M Calthorpe, aged 86 years, December Quarter 1919, I. Wight

Extract from the Birmingham Evening Mail of the 21st of November 1912:

"Impressive Funeral at Perry Bar — The funeral of Lieutenant-General Somerset Gough, who died at Woodlands, Ryde, Isle of Wight, on Saturday night last, took place at St. John's Parish Church at Perry Bar at 12.30 today.

It was a simple enough ceremony at the old church, but an air of pomp and circumstance was added to the mere externals of the function by the presence of officers and men from the regiment of which the late Lord Calthorpe was Colonel.

A large crowd of people lined the road leading to the church and their numbers were swelled when, after the service, the coffin was borne on the shoulders of six stalwart sergeants of Dragoons to the crematorium nearby, where the body was reduced to ashes.

The remains of the deceased nobleman had been removed from Ryde by motor and the coffin had reposed in Perry Bar church all night. It was covered with the Union Jack and on it reposed the dead general's plumed hat, his sword, belt and gauntlets and his medals, which were laid on a white cushion.

This, together with the scarlet uniforms of the Dragoons and the different garb of the Boy Scouts and the arum lilies heaped up either side of the chancel steps were the only touch of colour in the sombre and impressive proceedings...

At the conclusion of a short and simple service the solemn strains of the Dead March in "Saul" accompanied the carrying out of the coffin by the Dragoon sergeants.

Leading the procession out along the country road leading to the crematorium was a large detachment of Boy Scouts from the Handsworth Division, of which the late General Lord Calthorpe was President.

Then followed on either side of the roadway a file of Dragoons, after which came the coffin. A large number of servants and estate workers walked in the procession — a conspicuous figure being Sergeant-Major Dawes, the military veteran — in his picturesque Hussar uniform...[A list of mourners and wreath-senders follows.]

The final scene was the most impressive of all. Outside the crematorium six Dragoon buglers were drawn up and as the coffin was consigned to the flames they sounded the "Last Post."

A believer in cremation, it was through him that land became available at Perry Bar for the crematorium to be built — and it was only the second of its kind in England when it became active in 1903."

A tablet to his memory was placed in St. John's Church at Perry Bar bearing the inscription:

"Sacred to the memory of Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Somerset John, 7th Lord, K.C.B. Born 23rd January 1831 — Died 16th November 1912.

Served as A.D.C. to Field Marshal Lord Raglan during the Crimean War, and was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman and during the Siege of Sevastopol.

Commanded the 5th Dragoon Guards from 1861-69.

He was Chairman of the Isle of Wight County Council from its commencement in 1880 until 1898.

Just, Generous, Kind and Greatly-Beloved."

Further information

His two sons, Somerset Arthur and Frederick Somerset, both entered the Services:

Somerset Arthur became an Admiral of the Fleet, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.V.O.

He served in the Expedition in 1895 and in World War 0ne. Rear Admiral, First Battle Squadron, 1912, 2nd Cruiser Squadron, 1914-1919, and C. in C. Portsmouth, 1920-23.

Hew was awarded the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lacers of Italy, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Star of Rumania, Grand Cross of the Redeemer of Greece, American Distinguished Service Medal, Grand Cordon of the Most Excellent Crop of China and the Order of the Rising Sun.

He was Naval Attache to the Court of St. Petersbourg 1902-05, A.D.C. to King George V in 1910, and negotiated the Armistice with Turkey in 1918.

His brother, Frederick Somerset, a Captain on the General List, was formerly a Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment and a Captain in the Royal Fusiliers.

Served in Somaliland 1896-97 with Methane's Horse, and later in World War One.

The museum at Carisbrooke Castle

A chance visit to Carisbrooke Castle in 1991 brought the sighting of his 5th Dragoon Guards helmet displayed in a glass case.

Further enquiry of the Curator showed that this was part of a number of items that had been bequeathed to the Museum by a Mrs. Wilson-Heathcote, presumably a daughter of his son, Admiral Somerset Arthur.

These included some 15 to 20 odd pieces of militaria, Turkish knives, stirrups, the horsetail of a named horse, and his medals, comprising the Crimean medal with four clasps, Turkish medal, French Legion of Honour, (the Order of the Medjidie was not mentioned) as well as his K.C.B. and relevant miniatures.

An obituary notice for his son showed that he too was cremated at St. John's Crematorium at Brookwood, Surrey, and that a memorial service was held in the church of St. John the Baptist at Oakfield, Ryde.

Here was found a whole South chapel, with a carved and painted altarpiece, devoted to the family. This was endowed, said a plaque, to the memory of Somerset John Gough-Calthorpe by his wife in 1914.

There were also two large memorial tablets high on the south wall, one to himself, mentioning his life and involvement as Lord Raglan's ADC, and his chairmanship of the IOW County Council from its commencement in 1890. (The wording on this is identical with that erected in St. John's Church at Perry Bar, Birmingham.) The other was to his son, the Admiral, with dates of his promotions, etc.

There is also a large stained glass window to the Admiral's wife Leila's memory dedicated by her children and two smaller stained glass windows in memory of their daughter, Leila Mabel.

In a glass fronted niche are four funerary casques containing ashes, these stand on top of one another. From the top down these are:

Leila Mabel Gough-Calthorpe — Died 1933, aged 67

Leila, Dowager, the Lady Calthorpe — Died August 1919, aged 86

Sir Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe — Died July 27th 1937, aged 73 years

Somerset John, 7th Lord Calthorpe — Died 16th November 1912

Further enquiries in the area showed that the house, Woodlands Vale, still exists, although now subdivided into retirement flats, the park surrounding it still being as it was. The local Ryde Sea Scouts are known as "The Admiral Calthorpe's Own."

Further medal information archived.

The description given to Lot 100 at the Phillip's auction sale in February of 1984 contained the following:

"A fine Presentation Sword, the 94 cm double edged blade with central fuller by Chas. Reeves, Manufacturer, Toledo Works, Birmingham, well etched with scrolling foliage, stands of arms, presentation inscription and the Calthorpe crest, the patent steel hilt finely chiselled and scrolling foliage and owner's crest and initials highlighted in gilt, silver wire bound chequered ebony grip, contained in its heavy steel scabbard, the mounts chiselled with foliage within gilt borders.

The inscription reads: 'Presented by the Tenantry of the Honble. F. H. W. G. Calthorpe to his brother, Major the Honble. Somerset John Gough-Calthorpe of the 8th Hussars, Aide de Camp to Field Marshal the late Lord Raglan on his safe return From the Crimea As a token of their Appreciation and Esteem for his Character, November 1855.'

Medals: Crimea, four bars, Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol (Lt. Honble. S. Calthorpe, A.D.C. to F. M. Lord Raglan) Order of the Medjidie and Legion of Honour together with miniatures of the above plus K.C.B and Turkish. Crimea medal, all contained in a shield-shaped glazed mahagany display case.

[The K.C.B. was recorded as being a C.B. in the later auction.]

A Horse's Hoof, finely mounted in silver as a table snuff box, being the hind rear hoof of Prodigy, a bay charger, the hinged lid engraved with details of the numerous actions at which the horse was present, the interior gilded and engraved with Lt. Calthorpe's in.itials and crest. Hallmarked London 1861, as well as a copy of "Festivities at Perry Bar" held in honour of the safe return of Lord Calthorpe from the Crimea and a hand-written address and list of subscribers relating to the presentation of the sword."

A letter to the Carisbrooke Castle Museum Curator brought the reply from the Curator, that:

"The whole collection was passed to the museum in 1957. With the collection we received a notebook containing an un-dated 12 page inventory of items which had belonged to Lord Calthorpe' family.

The inventory coincides well with the collection in the museum, though one or two items went to other destinations, Arthur Calthorpe noting, for example that he gave a sword to his grandson in 1921.

Of particular interest to the present issue is the lists of medals, the inventory recording that they are displayed in a velvet cushion.

The notebook is headed, "Arms Cupboard in Hall at Woodlands Vale. Arms ect., belonging to the late Lieut. General Lord Calthorpe K.C.B., who died in 1912. (16 Novr.) (Contents cleaned & mustered, Octr. 1927 A.G.C.)", but the first entries were made by Somerset Calthorpe:

"1) A Turkish Scimitar, given me by my brother Fred at Constantinople in November 1851, He bought it in the Arms Bazaar, Stamboul. I wore this sword when serving on the Staff of Lord Raglan during the Crimean War.

2) Scabbard of No. 1, made for me by Hamburger, Covent Garden, so that I might wear it in Staff uniform.

3) Original scabbard of No. 1.

4 & 5) Regulation Field Officers Staff Sword and scabbard worn by me when A.D.C. to His Excellency the Earl of Carlisle, K.G. Viceroy of Ireland, in 1856-57.

A later page shows the following, made by another hand:

'78) Velvet cushion on which are displayed Lt. Genl. Lord Calthorpe's Decorations and Medals.

(1) The Star, & Collar Badge (suspended by a ribbon round the neck) of a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. (mil.)

(2) The Crimean Medal with 4 clasps.

The Order of the Medjidie (Turkish).

The Legion of Honour (French).

The Sardinian Medal.

Turkish Crimean War Medal.'

This detail would seem to give an authentic provenance to the museum's Calthorpe collection since the medals are still 'displayed' in this way and neither is there any hint in the inventory of a duplicate set of medals.

It was also surprising to see "Prodigy's" hoof in the auction list you sent, as our collection includes the horse's tail. It is a pity that these two items became separated at some time!"

He is not recorded on the roll of those officers and men who were awarded the Sardinian War Medal, neither is it mentioned in either the Wilson-Heathcote donation acquisition numbers file or a separate list of all family decorations and medals held, which was provided by the museum.

The Turkish Crimean War medal is mentioned in the latter, but not in the note-book, although there is something written under the last entry which looks like "Turkish War" followed by something else, but it is too faint to read.

Miniatures are not specifically mentioned in the notebook either, although the auction list of the 9th December 1999 shows a "related group of five." The sword given to a grandson in 1921 may well have been the one sold at auction in 1984.

A further letter to the Carisbrooke Museum brought the reply that the entry in the notebook relating to the Sardinian medal had been crossed out in pencil, such was not amongst the medals and decorations held and that miniatures of these were also possessed.

A check, too, of the naming of the Crimean medal held there showed a slight difference to the naming said to be on the auctioned medal in that the one in the Museum was to "Lt. Hon. S.G. Calthorpe. 8th Huss. ADC to FM Lord Raglan."