Born 14th of July 1816, the son of John Halkett, Esq., of Richmond Hill, Balig, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, formerly Governor of the Bahamas and First Commissioner of the West Indies, and his wife, Catherine, daughter of Dunbar, the 4th Earl of Selkirk.
Attended Rugby School.
[PB: From Tony Margrave's Newsletter: "Major Halkett, of the 4th Light Dragoons...was nephew of Sir Colin Halkett, Governor of Chelsea Royal Hospital. (The Times, Wednesday, November 15, 1854, p. 7, Issue 21899, column E)."]
Cornet in the 4th Light Dragoons: 23rd of January 1835.
Lieutenant, 4th Light Dragoons: 6th of July 1837.
Captain, 4th Light Dragoons: 25th of October 1842.
Marriage registered
John Thomas Douglas Halkett married Charlotte May [probably Mary] Beague, September Quarter 1849, Richmond, Surrey.
On the 10th of July 1849, at Petersham, Surrey, he married Charlotte Mary, the daughter of Charles Heard Beague, formerly a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, of Petersham, Surrey. He was then 33 and she 21 years of age.
The officiating priest was his brother, the Revd. Dunbar Halkett, and the witnesses were Harriet Mary Bassett and Charlotte Beague.
A daughter was born at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, on the 24th of July 1850.
[PB: According to the 1861 Census, this was Mary C. Halkett. I have not been able to find her in later Censuses.
Notice in the Spectator, 27 January 1855, p.17:
On the 18th, at Leamington, prematurely, Mrs. Halkett, Widow of the late Major Douglas Halkett, Fourth Light Dragoons, who recently fell at Balaklava, of a daughter.
Given the word "prematurely", presumably this baby did not survive. See below for Charlotte Halkett's second marriage.]
Major, 4th Light Dragoons: 15th of March 1850.
[PB, September 2014: Mentioned in the Times when setting off for the Crimea, from Tony Margrave's Newletter [date?]:
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Simla left Southampton on Saturday for Plymouth, to embark cavalry for the East. (The Times, Monday, July 17, 1854, p. 12, Issue 21795, column A)
...The Simla is nearly 100 feet longer than Her Majesty's ship Duke of Wellington. She takes in all 320 horses- namely, 26 in the hold, 127 between decks, and 167 on deck ... The 4th (Queen's Own) Light Dragoons, under command of Colonel Lord Paget, will consist of two squadrons, comprising 250 horses and 293 men. The A and B troop, under Major Lowe, arrived at Plymouth on Saturday, and the E and F troop, under Major Acker [Halkett], arrived on Monday. (The Times, Tuesday, July 18, 1854, p. 9, Issue 21796, column A)
The steamship Simla, Captain Brooks, embarked the remainder of the Queen's Own Light Dragoons at Keyham on Tuesday, and was appointed to leave Plymouth for the Black Sea to-day (Wednesday). (The Times, Wednesday, July 19, 1854, p. 12, Issue 21797, column C)
By the electric telegraph from Plymouth we learn that the steamship Simla, with the 4th Light Dragoons, came down harbour at 12, and brought up inside Plymouth breakwater at 1 o'clock yesterday. After receiving her powder and ammunition she sailed for the Mediterranean. (The Times, Thursday, July 20, 1854, p. 12, Issue 21798, column C)
Our Malta letters, dated the 29th of July, announced ... On the 26th [July, 1854] the Simla arrived, having on board 299 troopers of the 4th Light Dragoons, 312 horses, and ten servants, 12 men of the Ambulance Corps, and thc following officers of Dragoons: Lieutenant Colonel Lord George Paget; Majors Halkett and Low; Captains Brown, Portal, Hutton, and George (paymaster); Lieutenants Adlington, Sparke, Ellis (adjutant), Jolliffe, and the Hon. C. J. Keith; Cornets Martin, King, Hunt, and Booth; Surgeon Hunter, Assistant-Surgeon Crighton; Veterinary-Surgeon Byrne, and Quartermaster Hill. (The Times, Monday, August 7, 1854, p. 10, Issue 21813, column C)
In his account of the Charge, 817 Robert Grant, 4th Light Dragoons, mentions Major Halkett's actions early in the day:
"I had been out all night with Major Halkett, of the 4th, visiting outlying pickets. There was a mounted picket of the 17th Lancers on a large hill — I think it was called Canrobert's Hill — and we also saw the Turkish sentries who were posted on the road. They told Major Halkett that the Russians were in the valley below, and he reported the fact during the night to the Brigade Major.
When Halkett came in all the camp fires were ordered to be extinguished. The men of the Light Brigade had to turn out early in the morning, or rather to stand to their horses. We had not been allowed to undress on that as on other nights, but had been kept ready for orders. We had oftentimes been turned out for nothing, and that vexed us."
Killed in action at Balaclava, 25th October 1854.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, and Sebastopol, and the Turkish Medal.
His name appears on a stained glass window representing the good Centurion standing at the foot of the Cross and placed in the Chapel of Rugby School to the 33 "Old Boys" who fell in the Crimean War as:
Douglas Halkett, Major, 4th Light Dragoons. Killed in the Light Cavalry Charge at Balaclava, Oct. 25th 1854, aged 38 years.
Killed in action at Balaclava.
He was on the sick list before the battle of Balaclava, but asked permission to return to duty. The Regimental History states that he "was mortally wounded by a shell during the advance. Said to have been a popular second-in-command, and a distinguished officer."
Lummis and Wynn state that he was seen to fall in the retirement, after the charge, having been wounded by a shell. As the remnants of his regiment passed by he was heard to call to the men to take his money, "for the married women at home."
This story can be attributed to 1481 Private John Edden's account of the Charge, in which he said that:
"When on foot returning down the valley, and on being joined by two other men of the regiment, they [?] came across Major Halkett lying seriously wounded.
He was conscious and told them to take his belt, into which his wife had sewn some money.
They were preparing to pick him up when they saw some Cossacks begin to ride towards them. Halkett told the men to put him down and save themselves, but to put his sword into his hand before they left.
One of them faced the Cossacks, whilst the other two tried to lift the Major.
Then a Russian officer came up and said in English to the first man to 'give himself up', but on his refusing he was shot in the hand by a pistol.
All three began to run off, only Edden succeeding in getting away, and as the others were being taken back they saw that Major Halkett was dead, naked but for his jacket."
[PB, Feb 2014: Source? Is it rewritten from one of John Edden's? Parkes's? Peter Elkins's account in his Tamworth's Forgotten Hero, as quoted Dutton p.43.]
See the service records of Privates John Edden, 635 Samuel Parkes and 1295 Trumpeter Crawford, all of the 4th Light Dragoons.
From Lord George Paget's Journal of the Crimean War:
"Here I must mention a small incident.
The gallant Halkett, my Major, between whom and myself there existed differences between us for some time which unfortunately prevented any close intercourse between us, asked one of the group of which I formed a part for some rum, and on his replying that he had not any, I said, "Major, I can give you some," the necessities of life drowning all feelings of difference.
He accordingly profited by this offer, and thanked me for it.
A curious circumstance that the last thing he put to his lips should have come from me on such terms.
Not many minutes after, he fell, and a more courageous officer never met a soldier's death. It is a record to his memory to state that on this day he was on his horse, though on the sick list, indeed on one or two occasions when work was expected he, though sick, appeared and asked my leave, as he had done this morning, to fall in with his regiment."
From several letters of complaint sent to the Horse Guards in December of 1854 it would appear that one source of conflict between the two was Lord Paget's continual application for extension of leave of absence when already on it, with the result that he (Halkett) had to remain in command of the regiment and thus be deprived of his share of leave at this season of the year.
Lot No. 889 in an auction held at Wallis and Wallis's at Lewes on the 15th of May 1982:
An officer's full-dress shoulder belt and silver flapped pouch of the 4th Light Dragoons, gilt lace belt on brown leather, silver boss, buckle tip and slide, bearing William IV's HM., pricker holder (not HM.) silver flapped pouch (not HM.) with gilt cypher (VR.) brown leather pouch with gilt embroidered top, belt loops with William IV HM's, together with the companion embroidered sabre-tache ornaments only, comprising crown, garter with the VR cypher and wreath with battle honours to Afghanistan, mounted in a frame. Worn by Major J. Halkett, who died in the Charge of the Light Brigade."
On the 23rd of May 1855 his widow, through her solicitors, made an application to the Secretary of State for War, for a pension "to which under the circumstances, you will give your most favourable consideration."
At the same time she provided a statement of her means of support as being "the annual income from shares, of about £500, plus the rent from a farm of £110."
Inter-departmental memo's indicate some comment as to her being "in relatively wealthy circumstances," but she was allowed the pension of a Major (£130) although the normal gratuity of one year's pay was not granted. On the 17th of November 1855 she wrote again:
"Conway House,
Leamington.
My Lord,
With reference to H.M.'s Warrant dated 23rd of October 1855, entitled, 'Rules and Regulations for the granting of a fixed sum to the Widows, Family and Relatives of 0fficers killed in action', I have the honour to submit myself for the permission newly granted and to receive the Regulated price of the Commissions of my late husband, Major Douglas Halkett, 4th Light Dragoons, in lieu of the Pension of which I am already in receipt.
I have the honour, etc., etc.
C.M. Halkett"
On the 6th of February 1858 she signed her acceptance of a total sum of £34,141/15/6d, "being the amount paid by Major Halkett for his various Commissions and being in full Compensation."
Marriage registered
Charlotte May Halkett [wife] married Arthur George St John Mildmay, September Quarter 1856, St James W.
1861 Census
13, Leicester Gardens, Paddington.
Arthur G. Mildmay, 37, Lieut. Indian Army, born Somersetshire.
Charlotte M. Mildmay, 33, born Dulverton, Somersetshire
Mary C. Halkett [daughter], step-daughter, 10, born Ireland.
Alice F. Mildmay, 3, born India.
Edith C. Mildmay, 2, born Aldenham, Hertfordshire.
Charles B. Mildmay, 2 months, born Paddington, Middlesex.
Five servants were also shown
[PB: Notice that Charlotte was born in Dulverton, and Arthur Mildmay's home, to which they eventually moved, was Hollam House, Dulverton. Hence, they may well have known each other for many years. According to a website promoting shooting on the Hollam estate, "Hollam House was owned by the Mildmay family for hundreds of years and Walter Mildmay, the last of the family to live in the house, started shooting here in the 1980's." [Source: http://www.hollamshoot.co.uk/aboutshoot.html, accessed 24.9.2014.]
1881 Census
Hollam House, Dulverton, Somerset.
Arthur G St J Mildmay, 57, Landowner and Magistrate, born West Coker, Somersetshire.
Charlotte M Mildmay, 53, born Dulverton, Somersetshire.
Edith C. Mildmay, 22, born Aldenham, Hertfordshire.
Letitia E. Mildmay, 13, Scholar, born Holybourn, Hampshire.
Others listed include a Teacher, Nurse, Cook, Groom, and a number of maids.
According to the Leamington Spa Courier, Arthur Mildmay died aged 60 in Lake Maggiore, Italy, on the 8th of March 1884. The fact that this was reported in Leamington Spa suggests he may have had a connection with the town, where Charlotte Halkett had been living in 1855, shortly before their marriage.
Death registered
Charlotte Mary St. J. Mildmay [former wife of John Halkett], aged 80, June Quarter 1908, Brighton.
There is a photograph in Dutton p.43, reproduced above.
In March 1996 a watercolour by Henry Alken was sold at Phillip's the Auctioneers, captioned in the catalogue as:
"4th Troop Light Dragoons preparing for the Grand Review by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert, Chobham Camp, 1853.
This work was painted to the order of Major John Thomas Douglas Halkett, 4th Light Dragoons."
The main subject was said to be Major Halkett standing in the centre in uniform, a carbine crooked in his arm and in the background are troopers of the regiment polishing their accoutrements.
The artist was Samuel Henry Gordon Alken (1810-1894). Often described as a faker of his father's work (Henry Thomas Alken, 1785-1851), he was a close disciple and was usually content to sign himself as "H. Alken". He worked in both oil and water colours.
There is some argument as to whether or not the person pictured is that of an officer, but rather a private, wearing two good conduct badges.
The regiment, on being approached on the matter, said that the uniform worn had nothing about it of a known officer's uniform of the time and certainly looked like an other rank's uniform.
Two other knowledgeable sources, the Militaria Department of Spink's and the Uniforms Department of the NAM, were also both of the opinion that the figure represented was not dressed as an officer and was that of an OR on "sentry-go".
A possible explanation is that the artist had made a sketch of the scene at the time and completed the picture later — the label says that it was to the "Order of ...", the term used at the time. A considerable number of artists of varying degrees of competence visited the Chobham Camp at the time in search of commissions and just about every regiment present was pictured in some form or another.
[PB: Do we have a copy of this image? There is an entry on the artist's father at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Thomas_Alken (accessed 24.9.2014)]Additional registrations of births, deaths and marriages, and Census information for 1861 kindly provided by Chris Poole.
Report of the death of Arthur Mildmay kindly supplied by Roy Ashwood, September 2014.