Alexanders Toy Soldiers: "Cornet George Gooch Clowes, 8th Hussars: Wounded and taken prisoner at the Charge" (model no. ATG015).
Alexanders Toy Soldiers: "Cornet George Gooch Clowes, 8th Hussars: Wounded and taken prisoner at the Charge" (model no. ATG015).
Born on the 16th of January 1835, the son of William Leigh Clowes, late a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, and his wife, Antonia Henrietta, the daughter of the Revd. Robert Shuttleworth Holden, of Broughton Old Hall, Lancashire, and Aston Hall, Derbyshire.
His father had served with the 3rd Light Dragoons in the Peninsula and commanded them at the battle of Salamanca.
Educated at Rugby School.
Cornet in the 8th Hussars: 11th of March 1853.
[PB: See here on 8th Hussars. ADD quote from him here.]
Dublin Evening Mail, 22 Jan 1855, reports GGC has been made lieutenant without purchase. This was repeated in numerous newspaprs/ Original source> [PB: But he was a POW at this time! But became Lieutenant o his return late October.]
Lieutenant, 8th Hussars: 19th of November 1855.
[PB: See also the pdf copy of Hart's List for 1861, which lists GGC.]
Captain, 8th Hussars: 17th of September 1857.
Brevet-Major, 8th Hussars: 7th of December 1858.
On the 20th of June 1861 [date?], at Danbury, Essex, he married Susan Caroline Wigram, daughter of Doctor John [Joseph?] C. [Cotton?] Wigram, Lord Bishop of Rochester.
MARRIAGES: On the 20th May [?], at the parish church of Danbury, Essex, by the father of the bride, George Gooch Clowes, Major, 8th Hussars, youngest eon of Lieut-Col. Clowes, late 3rd Dragoons, of Broughton Old Hall, Lancashire, to Susan Caroline Wigram, eldest daughter of the Lord Bishop of Rochester.
[Source: Spectator: Marriage of George Gooch Clowes and Susan Caroline Wigram.]
[PB: John or Joseph Wigram? Middle name appears to have been Cotton.]
See also http://www.thepeerage.com/p60953.htm: "Susan Caroline Wigram was the daughter of Rt. Rev. Joseph Cotton Wigram and Susan Maria Arkwright.2 She married Major George Gooch Clowes on 20 June 1861.1 She died on 17 January 1923, without issue.1"
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 11th of February 1862.
He later served as a Major in the Worcestershire Yeomanry from the 20th of July 1871 to the 22nd of August 1873, when he was permitted to "retain the rank and wear the uniform of the regiment".
On the 25th of October 1854, at the Charge, he was severely wounded and taken prisoner of war after his horse had been killed.
[PB: the following looks like a verbatim transcription of Hart's. If so, indicate.]
Major Clowes served the Eastern campaign of 1854, including the battles of the Alma and Balaclava, affairs of the Bulganak and MacKenzie's Farm and Siege of Sebastopol; was wounded and taken prisoner and his horse shot at the battle of Balaclava (Medal and three Clasps).
At Balaclava he took the place of Lieutenant John Fitzgibbon (commanding a single troop) after the latter had been killed.
His horse was killed during the latter stages of the battle and was himself wounded by a grape-shot.
Although he made an effort to escape, he was exhausted by loss of blood and was taken prisoner. He was exchanged in October 1855.
Of his captivity he wrote to a friend that they "were very kindly treated and received every attention and comfort that the circumstances would allow."
For an account of how the extent of his injuries and his capture became known immediately after the Charge, see the record of Captain Edward Fellowes.
...On October 29th, Captain Fellowes again went with a flag of truce to the out-posts of the Russians in the valley of Balaclava.
He was immediately met by an officer who gave him a letter from General Liprandi in reply to Lord Lucan's of the day before; from which it appeared they had only two English officer prisoners, namely, Lieutenant Chadwick, Adjutant of the 17th Lancers, and Cornet Clowes of the 8th Hussars, both severely wounded, the former speared in the neck, and the latter in the back. Both had their horses shot under them, and it was in attempting to return to our lines that they were pursued by Cossacks, and wounded in the manner I have described.
[Source: Somerset Gough Calthorpe's Letters from Headquarters, quoted at greater length in the entry for Captain Edward Fellowes.]
[PB: ADD IMAGES & EDIT]
Limerick Chronicle, 17 March 1855:
An Italian gentleman named Landriani, who charged with the Light Cavalry at Bdaklava, and was taken prisoner, writes from Simepheropol [sic] that he is confined in a room with 3 English officers, to whose care and kindness, tho' wounded themselves, he owed his life. Addressing his mother he says, I 'inscribe their names on your heart, my dear mother, that they may be to thee as sons, for they have saved thine own. Their names — names which I shall bless thro life — are James Duff, 23d Fusiliers; George Clowes, 8th Hussars; and John Chadwick, 17th Lancers.
The Newry Telegraph adds a little more detail:
The English Prisoners in Russia — The following is translation from a letter received by lady of Milan, from her son, who charged with the English cavalry at Balaklava, and is now a prisoner in the Russian hospital: I am housed iu room with three English officers, two of whom, the cavalry, were wounded in the same action with me ; the other is in the infantry. To tell you of the care they take of me, must exhaust all expressions of gratitude ; I owe, in great measure, my cure to them, and without them ]> perhaps sadness would have overcome me. Write their names n)K>n your heart, dear mother, and let them be as sons to you. Their names are James Duff, Royal Welsh Fusiliers; George Clowes, cornet, 8th Hussars; John Chadwick, lieutenant. 17th loncers. These three names I shall bless whole life long."
[Source: BNA: Newry Telegraph, 20 March 1855.]
HistoryOfWar:
As soon as the advance started, the Russians withdrew from around No. 3 redoubt, but this was going to have little impact on the firepower the British cavalry were going to face. Cardigan quickly moved into a trot, probably well aware of the dangers they were about to face. The regiments kept pace. One of the three outsiders (the other two being Sardinian officers, Maggiore Govone and Luogotenente Landriani, despite the fact that Sardinia had yet to enter the war), Captain Nolan, was riding with his friend, Captain Morris of the 17th Lancers, when he suddenly moved ahead of Cardigan, crossing his front from left to right, turning in his saddle while shouting and waving his sword aloft.
[Source: Link]
Served in Rajpootana in 1858-59, was present at the capture of Kotah, battle of Kotarua and commanded a detachment of the 8th Hussars in Brigadier Parke's long pursuit of the rebels and at their defeat at Chota Oodypoe. (Mentioned in despatches, Brevet-Major, Medal and Clasp.)
A friend said of him that "he had the dignified composure of a very large dog ... noticing a small one."
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for the Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol, the Turkish Medal and the Mutiny Medal with clasp for Central India.
Further medal information archived.
In the Officers' Mess of the Royal Irish Hussars there is also a small bible with the inscription on the flyleaf which reads:
"This book was picked up on the Battlefield of Balaclava after the British Light Cavalry Charge on the 25th October 1854, by a Russian officer and given to me the same evening in the village of Tchourgoun when I was a prisoner of war — G. G. Clowes Cornet 8th Hussars."
Attended the Officers' Balaclava Dinners in 1892 and 1893.
Most of his later life was spent at Sherwood House, Worcester.
[PB: For the 1871 Census, he was a visitor at Burton Court [ADD MORE INFO. Also, why are birth years shown, not ages?].]
1871 Census
Burton Court, Eardisland, Herefordshire.
John Clowes, b.1823, Derbyshire landowner and Magistrate, b. Sutton on the Hill
Peter Leigh Clowes, b.1854, Son, b. Lancashire
Caroline Clowes, b.1855, Daughter, b. Lancashire
George Gooch Clowes, b.1835, Visitor, b. Egginton, Derbyshire
Emily King, b. 1835, Governess, b. Newbury, Berkshire
Emma Soulinson, b.1835, Housekeeper, b. Staffordshire
Anna Howlett, b.1842, Lady's Maid, b. Norfolk
Eliza Matthews, b.1844, Housemaid, b. Monkland, Herefordshire
Mary A. Bayliss, b.1852, Under Housemaid, b. Linton, Herefordshire
Jane Browfield, b.1851, Kitchen Maid, b. Bristol
Elizabeth Taylor, b.1855, Scullery Maid, b. Woolhope, Herefordshire
James Rodgers, b.1830, Under Houseman, b. Radnorshire
Charles Machin, b.1855, Footman, b. Edith Weston, Rutland
Thomas Glover, b.1842, Coachman, Staffordshire
George Gooch Clowes died at 6, Elvaston Place, London, SW7, aged 64 years, on the 27th of November 1899. He was buried in Putney Vale Cemetery, London, on the 11th of November, in Grave No. 173, Block A.S.
The first part of the service was carried out at St. Paul's Church, Wimbledon. His wife was later buried next to him.
From his obituary notice:
"Major George Gooch Clowes, late of the 8th Hussars, died on the 7th of November at his residence, No. 6 Elvaston Place, London, SW7, aged 64.
Youngest son of the late Lt. Colonel Clowes, 3rd L.D., of Houghton Old Hall, Lancashire, who commanded the regiment at Salamanca, Major Clowes joined the 8th in 1853 and was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaclava and the Siege of Sebastopol.
In the charge at Balaclava he was wounded and his horse was shot under him and he was taken prisoner.
For these services he received the medal with three clasps and the Turkish medal. He served in 1858-59, was present at the battle of Kotah and commanded a detachment of Brigadier Parke's long pursuit of the rebels and their defeat at Chota Udaipur, being mentioned in despatches and receiving his brevet-majority and the medal with clasp.
Major Clowes retired from the Army in 1858." [sic]
A memorial was erected over the grave, consisting of a marble kerb, inscribed on three sides. and a cross, some four feet in height, placed in the centre. (1983: The latter has been vandalised and is now lying flat.)
Photo: EJB, probably 1983. (There may be more images in the EJBA, e.g. photo_8H_0015, photo_8H_0080, photo_8H_0086.)
Left: "George Gooch Clowes. Major, 8th Hussars. Born 16th January 1835 — Died 7th November 1899."
Centre: "The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion...sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Right: "Susan Caroline, his wife. Born April 2nd 1838 — Died Jan. 2nd 1923."
There are numerous references to GGC and substantial extracts from his letters in the Regimental History.
CLOWES ACCOUNT fr LAURENCE CRIDER
Source: Affidavit filed in Cardigan v Calthorpe Lawsuit l'r unident press clipping courtesy of Rod Burman
AFFIDAVIT of GEORGE GOOCH CLOWES. of Sherwood House. Worcester, in the County of Worcester. formerly a Major in Her Majesty's Army.
Sworn 29th May. 1863
Filed 2nd June. 1863.
SAY as follows:
I. In the year 1854 I was a Cornet in the 8th Hussars, and as such I took part in the charge of the Light Cavalry Brigade at the battle of Balaklava on the 25th October, 1854.
2. The 8th Hussars, under the command of Colonel Shewell, advanced in the rear ol'the brigade, and charged down the valley until we became mixed up with the Russian troops, and their batteries ceased to fire on us.
3. I then observed Colonel Mayow galloping back towards us with some men of the 17th Lancers. and Colonel Shewell asked him where Lord Cardigan was. Colonel Mayow replied that he did not know.
4. At that time a body of Russian cavalry had formed in our rear with a view to cut off our retreat. By the orders of Colonel Shewell we were wheeled about, and charged through the Russian Lancers. After getting through them, I was wounded by a grape shot, my horse was killed. and l was taken prisoner.
S. The 8th Hussars were not during the charge attacked by the Russian cavalry on their right flank. We only retired when the Russians endeavoured to cut off our retreat, as mentioned in the last paragraph.
[PB: In the introduction to The Crimean War: the Untold Stories (2004, p.xxi), Alistair Massie says a letter from "Private Richard Palframen", describing his capture, was an "admirable contrast to the prisoner of war letters of Cornet George Clowes." [PB: How?]
>The NAM archive lists:
Bound duplicated typescript transcript of 27 letters written by or relating to Maj GG Clowes, 8th Hussars, of the period May 1854 to Nov 1859; associated with the Crimean War (1854-1856) and the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). Archives 1995-04-21
Seventeen letters written to and from Col G G Clowes, 8th Hussars, during service in the Crimea 1853-1855; associated with the Crimean War (1854-1856). Archives 1958-07-11
Fourteen letters written to and from Col G G Clowes, India, 1857-1859; associated with the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). Archives 1958-07-12]
[PB: I have photographed the NAM typsescript, and started to input it.
]NB There are several references to letters from Clowes in Anglesey, A History of the British Cavalry, vol.2. They are described as "MS letters from the Crimea, 1854-55", and "MS letters from India, 1857-59", both "the property of Col Henry Clowes". Presumably these are the letters in the NAM, listed above? If they are accessible, will there be restrictions on publication?
There are interesting references to GGC in Duberly, including this note [? Kelly, editor, note 43]
Lieutenant Clowes travelled back from Russia with several other officers including Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Kelly, who had been taken in the advanced trenches by a Russian sortie on the night of 22 March.
From Colonel Kelly's letters to his wife it appears that officers were treated more like gentlemen in exile than prisoners and enjoyed a comfortable captivity. On his first day in Sebastopol a flag of truce was sent to the British camp to arrange for his clothes to be collected and his horses sold to raise money. While he and Captain Montague of the Engineers, who had been taken in the same raid (see note l9 above), waited for their belongings to arrive, their wounds were dressed and they were fed from General Osten-Sacken's kitchen and entertained by his ADC.
When they left Sebastopol for the interior the Russians paid them a daily allowance (one and a half roubles, about five shillings), for their keep, and gave them a captured English soldier [WHO?] as a servant. Provided with introductions to families of importance in the towns and estates they passed en route (Kelly sounded quite petulant after spending three dull days in Voronezh, where they made no acquaintances), they travelled under armed escort to Riasan, about eight hundred miles north.
They were shocked by the roads which were 'mere tracks crossed by ruts in every direction' and the primitive Russian post-waggons (small open cars without springs), but there was no other means of travel for those without their own carriages. In late May they arrived at Riasan, about a hundred miles south-east of Moscow, and met six other British officers. Clowes seems to have joined them later. They rented a house opposite their compatriots and shared their meals when not invited elsewhere. At first there was not much society, 'most of the upper classes being in the country at present', but they dined with the Governor three times a week and were lent English and French books.
By the time Kelly and Clowes left in mid-August they were visiting all the local families of note, dining out regularly and taking part in musical evenings. As prisoners, they led a more sophisticated, but not dissimilar, life to that experienced by Fanny and the 8th Hussars when they were quartered at lsmid in Turkey during the final months of the war. Their release was delayed because the Emperor hoped they would prefer to remain in Russia but once negotiated, they returned to the Crimea via Odessa. As a final courtesy, they were allowed to make a detour to visit Moscow, at their own expense. This privilege was not extended to the Transport or Commissariat prisoners.
The rank and file prisoners were not treated by their captors with the same easy camaraderie as that extended to the officers; they complained that the ordinary Russian soldiers, who were often unpaid, stole the money and clothes given to them by the Russian authorities. None, however, complained of ill-treatment. Their wounds were dressed and they were housed in barrack-like accommodation where they organised their own courts martial and floggings to maintain discipline when necessary.
[PB: Colonel Kelly's letters to his wife? Follow up.]
Presumably GGC will also feature in Frances Duberly's memoir of India?
From In the Land of the Romanovs:
(H106) Kelly, Richard Denis, An officer's letters to his wife during the Crimean War. With an introductory memoir by Ellen Catherine Tait. London: Elliot Stock, 1902. x+452pp.
Ceylon-born Irishman General Sir Richard (1815-96), promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the 34th Regiment in March 1855, wrote detailed and frank letters to his wife from 17 January 1855 until 24 March 1856, edited and introduced by his daughter. Within weeks, on 23 March, Kelly was captured by the Russians and he describes his experience as a prisoner of war as he journeys from Sevastopol, via Simferopol and Ekaterinoslav, to Riazan, where he arrives on 25 May 1855. On his release he travelled back to Balaklava via Kursk, Kharkov, Poltava, Odessa and Constantinople between 14 August and 14 September 1855. An appendix contains letters regarding his falsely reported death in the British press in mid-March 1855 and a letter describing his time as a Russian prisoner Kelly wrote in October 1868 to the historian A.W. Kinglake.
[PB: Try to find press report of his death.]
Clowes is mentioned in a BMJ article, Edgar Jones & Simon Wessely, "Case of chronic fatigue syndrome afer Crimean war and Indian mutiny", BMJ1999; 319; 1645-1647. We have the pdf in the archive, and here.
[PB: Add summary.]
National Army Museum Library reference:
Seventeen letters written to and from Col G G Clowes, 8th Hussars, during service in the Crimea 1853-1855; associated with the Crimean War (1854-1856). Archives 1958-07-11
[PB: Anglesey, vol.2, quotes from GGC's unpublished letters (now in the NAM). I have taken photographs of these letters, from the Crimea (including his time as POW) and India, but have not transcribed them yet.]
Cause number: 1863 C76. Short title: In the matter of the estate of William Legh Clowes...
Cause number: 1863 C76.
Short title: In the matter of the estate of William Legh Clowes esq, deceased: Clowes v Holden.
Documents: Administration summons.
Plaintiffs: George Gooch Clowes.
Defendants: Edward Anthony Holden, Revd James Richard Holden and George John Garburgh.
Provincial solicitor employed in Lancashire.
Date: 1863
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7877957
[PB, October 2021: Some years ago, I speculated that Clowes might be in a Fenton photograph. But of coure he could not be, since he was a POW! Here's what I wrote.]
PB: FOLLOW UP: Is Clowes among the officers photographed by Roger Fenton? ]
Alternative titles:
- "Cooking house, 8th Hussars" / "Cookhouse of 8th Hussars"
- "Group of officers, 8th Hussars" / "Group of officers, 8th Hussars"
- "Captain Phillips & Lieutenant Yates, 8th Hussars"
- "Henry Duberly Esqr., paymaster, 8th Hussars, & Mrs. Duberly" / "Captain Henry Duberly and "the dashing" Mrs. Duberly"