Born on the 1st of November 1831, the son of Charles Frith Wykeham Martin, Esq., M.P. for Newport, Isle of Wight, Deputy-Lieutenant of Kent and Sussex, of Leeds Castle, Kent, and Chacombe Priory, near Banbury, and his wife, Lady Jemima Isabella, daughter of James Mann, 5th Earl Cornwallis.
[PB: Numerous illustrious ancestors from the Army, Navy, Politics, and the Church.]
"Cornwallis was the grandson of James Mann, 5th Earl Cornwallis; the great-grandson of James Cornwallis, 4th Earl Cornwallis; the 2nd great-grandson of Charles Cornwallis, 1st Earl Cornwallis; the 3rd great-grandson of Charles Cornwallis, 4th Baron Cornwallis; the 4th great-grandson of Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis; the 5th great-grandson of Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Baron Cornwallis; the 6th great-grandson of Frederick Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis; and the 7th great-grandson of Jane Cornwallis, and Elizabeth Richardson, 1st Lady Cramond. His other ancestors include Edward Cornwallis, Frederick Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, William Cornwallis, and Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Marquess Cornwallis."
[Source: Wikipedia: Fiennes Cornwallis (accessed 7.5.2018).]
[PB: photos, 2017 and 2018, from Wikipedia — credit & show source.]
1841 Census
PB: Hard to read but FWM appears to be aged 10, a pupil in the home of a Clergyman. Hs brothers, Philip, 12, and Cornwallis, 8, are also pupils.
[Source: Ancestry: 1841 Census: Eythorne, Boughton Malherb, Kent (accessed 7.5.2018).]
On the 28th of April 1841 [PB: i.e. within a few weeks of the Census] his mother had written from Leeds Castle, Kent, to Lord Hill, requesting that her:
"son's name be noted for a possible commission in the Royal Horse Guards... however, this little boy is not yet ten years old and is not yet at Eton, therefore there is no need to hurry for a while."
In his reply, Lord Hill presented his compliments and had the honour to acquaint her that he:
"would make a memo of her request, but wished to point out that her son, Mr. Fiennes Martin, is somewhat younger than those whose names are normally considered for candidature."
Educated at Eton and Christ Church College, Oxford.
[PB: His letters refer several times to Eton — e.g. to his tutor, and to a friend whom he roomed with again in Scutari, and so on. The Introduction to his collected letters suggests his physical nature:
He was always distinguished for popular qualities, and skill in feats of activity and manly sports. He won the two-oared race for silver sculls, at Eton, with G. Robertson, the Hon. Ralph Nevill steering; and he came in second in the grand military steeple-chase at Northampton (when Captain Anderson won by a head), although he was not intended to ride the race, and was asked to do so on the ground, the intended rider not appearing. He had only seen a part of the course, and was hastily dressed in borrowed jockey clothes.
[PB: This is very similar to a scene in Maria Wilkin's novel, Shackles of an Old Love — though her hero wins, of course.]
Letter, date?
I hope you are having good sport with the hounds this year, what ripping good sport I should have had at Troubridge with the Duke of Beaufort, and on leave with you.
[PB: I have jotted down a few observations here — they need placing properly elsewhere in the narrative.]
His letters also suggest a growing religiosity (albeit referred to slightly flippantly). For example, he asks ? [Lizzie — his sister?] to send him a Book of Common Prayer, as he only has the Bible she had given him.
To? date?:
Tell Lizzie that the Bible was a very acceptable gift from her; but now that I am getting religious I should like a Prayer-book also, as I do not possess that needful article. Owing to my thinking you were going to send me a Church Service, I sent my own Prayer-book back again. I cannot prepay these mighty edifying epistles, as I cannot get stamps, and the Post Office will not take money.
Again from the Introduction:
With all these social qualities, he had a deep and earnest sense of his religious duties, and on the occasion of his first seizure, as also of that which terminated his life, he was found with the religious works which he read every morning open by his side.
Cornet in the 4th Light Dragoons: 2nd of April 1850.
Lieutenant, 4th Light Dragoons: 26th of October 1854.
[FWM's account of the Charge, in a letter to his mother written two days later.]
Camp, near Balaklava, October 27, 1854
Dear Mama,
I write you a line to allay any fears you may have about me, as you will see by the Times that the Light Cavalry Brigade were let into a sort of Chillianwallah trap and cut to pieces. It is unfortunately too true; but I am one of the lucky ones that escaped, although our regiment and the 11th Hussars went further than any into the gorge.
The facts of the case are these. Lately the Cavalry have had nothing to do but guard Balaklava, and keep the communication open between it and Sevastopol, and have not been disturbed by the enemy except in occasional skirmishes with the pickets and videttes, when suddenly the other morning at day-break they made an attack on a line of small forts kept by the Turks in front of our position.
The Cavalry, who were all out and mounted for the usual morning parade, that we always have an hour or two before daybreak, so as to be ready for any attack, went immediately to their support, with a troop of Horse Artillery; but could you believe it, the Turks left all the forts, some even before they were fired; the consequence was a swarm of Cavalry made a dash into Balaklava itself, but they were met on the left by the 93rd Highlanders, who are not in the habit of running away like the Turks, and sent back minus a few men, and on the right by the Heavy Cavalry, who likewise sent them to the right about, the Light Brigade being too far to the left to be able to pursue.
This was a mistake, and now comes the melancholy part of my story.
The Light Brigade were ordered to the front, and Nolan, "my friend," brought an order for us to attack them down a long valley they had retreated into; now to understand why we did this rash and stupid act, you must know that lately there has been some stupid chaff about the Cavalry being afraid of the Cossacks, and Nolan had made some remarks about it to Lord Lucan, he is rather suspected, as he was the man sent to make the reconnaissance before we attacked, of having misrepresented to Lord Raglan the nature of the ground and the position of the enemy.
Well, the Light Brigade advanced at a trot, and had not gone a hundred yards before we got into a shower of grape shot bullets, round shot, and in fact every kind of missile from both sides of the valley, the enemy having got a battery on each side, and two or three regiments of sharp-shooters in bushes.
The consequence was we were enfiladed for half a mile by the hottest possible fire at about 30 or 40 yards distance, nevertheless we passed on, got beyond their fire, and captured some guns and drove back their Cavalry. But by this time we found ourselves completely cut off from our own army, about 90 of the Brigade left with a swarm of Cavalry in our front, a regiment of Russian Lancers in our rear, and all the fire to undergo again.
Well the only thing to do was to get the debris together, and go at them with all our might and cut our way back, which some of us succeeded in doing, but when we got back and came to count heads, we found there were only 190 left out of 700 that went into action. Poor Halkett and Sparke are among the missing; Hutton was shot through both legs and in the back, but will recover I think.
We are now a perfect skeleton of a regiment, only having 50 left, and are therefore useless. We live in the hope of being sent home to recruit up again, and being sent out again in the spring, but I am afraid they will hardly do that. Poor Nolan was shot the first ball.
It is quite melancholy to see the Brigade turn out, the whole being no larger than a regiment was before.
The 13th Hussars suffered most, having only 28 men left. Khyber Pass and Lord Gough was a fool to it, as it was useless waste of life.
The Russian troops when met by ours in the field invariably run away. In fact, even in the shattered state we were in, a Pole who deserted, said it was all the officers could do to keep the Infantry in the bushes from running away, for fear we should charge them. If we had waited ten minutes more for our own Infantry and the French Cavalry, we should have retaken all the forts and annihilated their army.
The Russians attacked our Infantry about a mile off yesterday, and got a tremendous beating. We do not know when we shall storm the town, but I hope soon, as I am getting tired of lying on the ground with only one shirt, and am getting very rheumatic in my joints, turning out at 4 o'clock in the dark; reconnoitering and standing about for hours in the damp night dew without any cloak is killing work.
One night when we expected an attack, we stood the whole night with our bridles in our hands, ready to mount at a moment's notice; some of the men not having laid down for two nights previously.
I am much obliged for your thinking of the writing case, and will you send me a saddle I left at home, as Hunt lost mine when we had to retreat from our position, taking care however to save the brandy bottle with which he got drunk.
I hope that poor little Maria is all right again now, and that you are all well. I am afraid you will think my letters are rather egotistical, all about my own doings out here. It is quite true about poor Hare being dead. Tom Tryon was not at Alma, and the other was not engaged.
Tell Philip I have not time to write to him, as, owing to Ellis being sick, I have to act as Adjutant for him, and have had lots to do all day, and we have no candles to see with at night. In fact we are glad to go to bed as soon as dark, as we turn out every morning at half-past three.
You may as well add my hair and brushes and another looking glass, as I have broken mine and not seen my face for weeks; we have all given up shaving, and are awfully bronzed, so that you will not know me when I get back if I do not shave. Remember me to all my friends, especially Erskine, and with love to all, and hoping soon to get away from this hole,
I remain,
Your affectionate son,
F. Wykeham Martin
P.S. — Please send me out a Church Service; by some mistake Philip only sent me a Bible, and no Prayer Book. There is one my tutor gave me among my books.
[Source: This is from Wendy Leahy's transcription, online at Shadows of Time: Fiennes Wykeham Martin Letters. He uses various pet names — "Khyber Pass" etc. It would be good to try to work out who is who. Why does he put "my friend" in quotation marks. Is he being ironic? Does Glenn Fisher decode these references in his version? Incidentally, does GF compare the MSS (have they survived?) with the letters as published?]
Camp, Sevastopol, November 30th, 1854
Dear Papa, I see by the papers I am gazetted to a Lieutenancy by purchase, vice Hartman, I had no idea, till I received your letter, that Hartman was going to leave us, and who has paid the money I do not known; however, I think I shall get it back again; as it has happened subsequently to the action of Balaklava, I am therefore entitled to Halket's death vacancy and get it for nothing; will you represent it to the Horse Guards for me, if you do not see my promotion by purchase cancelled before you receive this letter. This is always done, and then I should be gazetted vice Halket killed in action; they always cancel by purchase when the death has happened previous, and ante-date back to the time of the death...
Captain, 4th Light Dragoons: 31st of August 1855.
Assumed the surname of Cornwallis on the 15th of September 1859 in accordance with the terms of his grandmother's will.
Major, 4th Light Dragoons: 17th of July 1860.
Campaign service
Captain Martin served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and the Siege and fall of Sebastopol. Also at the Tchernya and with the Light Cavalry Brigade in Eupatoria. (Medal and Clasps.)
Acted at Adjutant at Balaclava, afterwards becoming aide-de-camp to Lord George Paget and remained after the departure of the 4th Light Dragoons in order to oversee the departure of the remainder of the Light Cavalry Brigade.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 4th of May 1863.
[Source: ?]
[PB: IS THE FOLLOWING A QUOTE / PART OF ABOVE?]
When he sold out, the feeling towards him was so strong that all the regiment turned out to see him off, and the officers who were sitting on a court-martial turned out, the prisoner as well, and returned to finish the affair when he was gone...
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, and the Turkish Medal.
Following his death in 1868 a member of his greater family [PB: Matilda — his wife?] Privately printed and published a small volume entitled Letters written from the Crimea to several members of his family.
[PB, Oct. 2013: Transcriptions of these letters (which are said to be lodged in the Kent Archives in Maidstone — check and add link) can be read online at Wendy Leahy's "Shadows of Time" website here. WL has also compiled a list of "stuff requested by and sent to Fiennes Wykeham Martin during the Crimean war", which is very revealing (and rather amusing) (accessed 26.10.2013). There is a basic text copy below.
Jan. 2014: His letters from the Crimea have been collected and published along with those of Edward Rowe Fisher-Rowe, Thomas Hutton and Edward Phillips in Crimean Cavalry Letters, edited by Glenn Fisher, Army Records Society, number 31, published Stroud: The History Press for the Army Records Society, 2011. 8vo. vii + 336 pp.]
Dec. 2017: I have created a temporary webpage for 4LD accounts, including FWM letters here.
[PB: See the article and photograph in the Kent and Sussex Courier, below. This image is from EJB's 4LD photograph albums. Unknown original source.
On the 29th of August 1863, he married Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of John Thomas Mott, Esq., of Barrington Hall, Hanworth, Norfolk.
Two sons and two daughters were born into the family. His last child, a daughter, was born after her father's death.
[PB: CHECK: Children were:
The baptismal register for Chacombe records Fiennes Stanley's baptism on 29 May 1864. His father is named as Fiennes Cornwallis, late Major in the 4th Q.O. Hussars. The vicar is G.W.[?] Wykeham Martin.
For Arthur's baptism, see https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/9200/42672_341229__0002-00101 [FC is again "late Major of the 4th Q.O.Hussars"].
Caroline's baptism, see https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/9200/004020031_00923 [FC is again "late Major of the 4th Q.O.Hussars" with an additional word that might be "Deceased", but probably not.]
Harriet, his widow, afterwards married the Revd. A. E. Robinson, Vicar of Wootten, Oxfordshire. She died in 1884.
Died aged 35 at Chacombe Priory on the 23rd of April 1877 after falls from horses, including at least one while hunting. It was originally announced in local press that he had died from a "disease of the brain", or "congestion of the membranes of the brain", but this was altered a few days later.
[PB: However, notice the mention of an earlier seizure in the Introduction to his Letters (above).]
Death registration
Cornwallis, Fiennes, 35, Banbury, April Quarter 1867.
He was buried in the churchyard of St. Peter and St. Paul's at Chacombe, Northants.
From EJB's 4LD Officers photograph albums. No information about date or source. 1980s?
His tomb bears the inscription:
"In memory of Fiennes Cornwallis, late Major, 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars. Died 23rd April 1867, aged 35.
'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from Heaven.'
"In loving memory of Harriet Elizabeth, wife of Major Fiennes Cornwallis, who died July 19th 1928."
Extracts from the Banbury Guardian for the 25th of April and the 2nd of May, and from theBanbury Advertiser for the 25th of April and the 9th of May 1867:
"April 23rd. — At Chacombe Priory. Fiennes Cornwallis, late a Major in the 4th, or Queen's Own Hussars, and second son of Charles Wykeham Martin, M.P.
Death of Major Cornwallis
We regret to announce the demise of Major Cornwallis of Chacombe Priory, who died on Tuesday morning after a very short illness. The deceased gentleman was, we believe, in Banbury as late as Saturday last, and the cause of his sudden death was disease of the brain.
Major Cornwallis was one of the sons of the late Mr. Charles Wykeham Martin, M.P. for Newport, and brother to the Revd. F.W. Wykeham Martin, the present incumbent of Chacombe [this was not so — it was his nephew who was the incumbent] [PB was it this WM who performed the marriage ceremony when FWM married HEM?] and Thomas Wykeham Martin, M.P. [This brother died suddenly in the House of Commons Library in May 1878.]
He took the name of Cornwallis from his grand-mother, who had left him some property."
"Death of Major Cornwallis"
"We have today to record the death of one of the gallant officers who took part in the memorable charge at Balaclava. He died at Chacombe Priory on Tuesday morning, the immediate cause of death being brain disease. Major Cornwallis was only 35 years of age.
[After repeating his military career, the article continued...]
His early death we now know to have been occasioned by a fall from his horse when out hunting, the animal having fallen with him and either kicked, or trodden, on his head.
He was thought to be dead at the time, but rallied, and seemed to enjoy his usual good health. The injury however, caused inflammation and congestion, which produced ultimately a large effusion of water on the brain... The funeral has taken place at Chacombe.
Major Cornwallis. — The obituary which we published in our last week's paper we now discover to be incorrect. He died from congestion of the membranes of the brain caused by several falls from his horse during the last three years and not from a disease of the brain as previously stated...
He was one of the officers who survived the memorable charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. He served through the whole of the Crimean campaign and was also present at the battles of the Alma, Inkerman, the Tchernya, and the siege and fall of Sebastopol, never being absent from the Army."
From the Introduction to FWM's Letters [cited above]:
...no one was more sincerely lamented by his family and friends than Fiennes Cornwallis (formerly Fiennes Wykeham Martin). He died respected and beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. I may without impropriety quote the words in a letter of condolence sent to us from a brother officer: "I loved him as a brother;" also Mr. Thackeray (the author), after meeting him at dinner and entering into conversation with him on the subject of the Crimean war, remarked to his host, "that is a good specimen of a brave modest soldier."
[PB: It is interesting that Thackeray's judgment should have been considered worth quoting. Vanity Fair had been published ten years or so earlier — in serial form 1847 — 1848, and in a single volume in 1848. See e.g. Wikipedia: Vanity Fair (novel).]
From EJB's 4LD Officers photograph folders. No information about date or source. 1980s?
Chacombe, Chacombe Priory, Church of St Peter & St Paul
Harriet Elizabeth, nee Mott [wife]
A compilation of stuff requested by and sent to Fiennes Wykeham Martin during the Crimean War. Most of the requests are addressed to Fiennes' parents who must have been fully employed acquiring, ordering and arranging for the wide array of articles to be sent to the East.
Where would a man be without his Mum? And his Dad! And their hardworking servants no doubt.
A multitude of unsung heroes.
___________
28 August 1854: Asks his father to send an India rubber tub.
28 August 1854: Asks his father to send a lockable compact writing case: Available cheaply and they hold a great deal.
8 October 1854: Asks his mother to send his things to the care of Messrs. Ede and Co., Constantinople.
8 October 1854: Asks his mother for some lamb's wool socks, flannel waistcoats, preserved soup, tea, sugar, soap, and 'in fact any articles you think good in the eating line that do not take up much room.'.
8 October 1854: Asks his mother for a quantity of cocoa paste made up with milk: Found to be very useful on campaign.
8 October 1854: Asks his mother for 'Miller's lamp out of my kit'.
8 October 1854: Asks his mother for his servant's clothes: Although he thinks that his servant died [in Varna].
8 October 1854: Asks his mother about some boots she had sent but which have not arrived.
27 October 1854: Thanks his mother for sending or planning to send a writing case.
27 October 1854: Asks his mother to send a saddle he left at home: Fellow officer Hunt had lost his previous saddle during a retreat.
27 October 1854: Asks his mother for hair brushes and another looking glass: He had broken his previous looking glass weeks before.
27 October 1854: Asks his mother for a Church Service [book] that his tutor had given him: His brother had sent a bible but no prayer book.
2 November 1854: Thanks his mother for parcels received by railway vessels. Also one believed to contain a stove, waiting to be collected. Still one parcel missing, with an axe, a saw, and boots [Marsh's].
12 November 1854: Amends some previous orders with his mother: Patent leather boots and gold belts are no longer required.
12 November 1854: Asks for a pair of thick leather-bottomed uniform overalls, a pair of long jack calf skin boots with hunting spurs, and his dress jacket.
12 November 1854: Asks for a thick set of shooting clothes and an india rubber tub. Supposes the first boots send by his mother have been 'lost in the boat'.
12 November 1854: Mittens would be useful. Also Guernseys, flannel shirts, worsted socks, an air pillow and an emigrant stove [if not too expensive.].
12 November 1854: Asks his mother for a quantity of 1s. books and 'a complete set of waterproof things'.
17 November 1854: Informs his mother of the terrific storm which sank several ships, including those with mails from the Crimea, and one carrying winter clothing for the troops.
22 November 1854: Asks his brother Philip to thank Lizzie for the Bible she sent and asks for a Church Service book again.
22 November 1854: Informs his brother Philip that the sword he acquired for him at Wilkinson's had a very bad edge.: It went blunt after striking a Russian at Balaklava.
24 November 1854: Tells Maria that they have not yet received their kits and are still 'on the one shirt system.' The ship with all the government clothing was lost in the hurricane on 14 November 1854.
24 November 1854: Asks Maria for a lamp 'a thing I want very much': It was missing from his mother's list.
27 November 1854: Reminds his mother to send jack boots, hunting spurs and India rubber suit.
27 November 1854: Informs her that he has not received her parcel sent on the Faith. Believes it is with an agent in Constantinople.
30 November 1854: Informs his father they are still without kits and have only the one shirt they landed with.
[December] 1854: Informs his mother that the Royal Albert has arrived in Cherson, but not Balaklava so he hasn't got the parcel yet.
[December] 1854: Tells his mother that the muffetees his Aunt Fanny sent have arrived.
[December] 1854: Asks his mother for copies of the Times newspaper from date of the letter.
[December] 1854: Asks his mother for a pair of braces, sent by post.
[December] 1854: Reminds his mother of his request for jack boots, hunting spurs, emigrant stove and complete suit of waterproof. Asks if not yet sent, for her to send them by Hayter, the authorized Government agent.
6 December 1854: Informs his father that their kits have landed, but none of his father's parcels have arrived.
17 December 1854: Thanks his father for the thick uniform of pilot cloth, with lace etc sent as a gift. Especially as his great coat, among other items, was stolen from his kit on board ship. Informs his father that no officers he knows have received their parcels.
1 January 1855: Asks Maria to tell his father that the parcel on the Royal Albert has arrived. Informs them that they need to order larger sized clothes.
and boots, firstly because he has grown, and secondly, if there is an alarm. it is too difficult to pull on tight clothes or footwear.
1 January 1855: Tells Maria that two parcels have arrived on the Cosmopolitan.
The big boots, water proofs, books and tools [saw and axe] are the most urgently required items.
9 January 1855: Informs family some parcels have arrived, namely those on the Faith, Royal Albert, and Cosmopolitan. But not the Leopard, carrying his boots, saw, axe, books and waterproof leggings.
9 January 1855: Thanks his father for his present of a pea coat, fur cap, gloves and thick suit of uniform.
24 January 1855: Writing to his mother, discusses the new uniform he is urged to purchase, but is reluctant to do so. Also worries about whether the long boots en route will be large enough.
28 January 1855: Thanks his mother for her letter. The things sent via Ede's, Constantinople have arrived. However the portmanteau containing the writing case and eatables was lost in the Bosphorus. The only items received were the gun, shot, plain clothes, and shirts.
28 January 1855: Asks his mother to send the newspapers direct from Byfield so he can get the latest news: Newspapers sent via his mother were taking too long.
28 January 1855: Reports to his mother that all the parcels have arrived except those on the Malacca carrying his books.: The soldiers have now got more winter clothing than they can use.
31 January 1855: Tells his brother Philip that the air pillow and long calf-skin boots have arrived on the Malacca. The only things now missing are the portmanteau, believed to be lost in the Bosphorus, the axe, saw, books and holster bottle. Along with Philip's gift of chamois leather under clothing.
31 January 1855: Asks his brother Philip to tell their father that the books have arrived: However, he had read most of them.
24 February 1855: Asks his father to arrange with Rich to make whatever uniform he is making for the other officers in the Crimea, of the new pattern, unless he is promoted Captain in the 18th or 19th.
1 March 1855: Thanks his mother for sending out her own papers, to save funds, but says it delays things and it would be better to have them sent directly.
1 March 1855: Tells his mother that he has written to Peareth to bring him some Regimental saddlery in the Julia.
12 March 1855: Asks his mother for a patrol tent [a very useful thing to have]; white, rather larger than the one he had when he came out.: In case the war goes on.
12 March 1855: Asks his mother for another parcel of concentrated soup: Not available in the Crimea.
12 March 1855: Informs his mother that the holster pipe bottle his father sent was smashed by the stove on the voyage. Asks for a replacement, a glass one, from Gardens.
12 March 1855: Informs his mother that he can't sell the big stove, 'as we are.
inundated with stoves and the weather is quite hot again'.
12 March 1855: Asks his mother for a new sheepskin.
22 March 1855: Asks his father for some evening and morning shirts to be ready for him if peace comes.
22 March 1855: Thanks for the newspapers, and asks his father to tell Byfield to send them regularly.
22 March 1855: Asks his father for a collar-chain, sheepskin, and white cap.
2 April 1855: Discusses the missing articles [the portmanteau and a box of gold belts left at Ede's in Constantinople while in Varna] with his father and says he will have to raise the issue with Ede's.
2 April 1855: Tells his father that he will have to leave the stove behind in the Crimea.
9 April 1855: Queries the parcel his mother sent in the Vestal as it has still not arrived. It included the forage cap.
9 April 1855: Asks his mother to tell Rich to send the tunic if the others have theirs although he doesn't need it yet. He isn't urgently requiring overhalls either but if Rich makes any, please leather them up to the knee and make them broad at the top of the leg and small at the foot, similar to the style of French overhalls.
19 April 1855: Informs his mother that Ede's lost a large parcel left in Constantinople while Fiennes was en route to Varna, which included gold belts and a mess waistcoat. Ede sent them to Balaklava unbidden and the vessel sank.
19 April 1855: Tells his mother that the sheepskin she has sent is a full dress one and is 'no use here'.
5 May 1855: Informs his mother that his canteen and other items arrived on the Argo, but his forage cap still hasn't arrived. Presumed to have been on the Vestal. It might have gone to Balaklava.: Fiennes at this stage is at Scutari. His newspapers aren't being delivered to Scutari. Also some mails seem to have gone astray.
16 May 1855: Asks his mother to ask Byfield to send only the latest newspapers. Also that it would be better to send them by Smith, as his service is more regular.
25 May 1855: Asks his father to send out his tunic, overhalls leathered to the knee like the others and gold belts.
25 May 1855: Asks his father to get Rich to buy a second hand silver pouch. If he can't get an old one, please send a new one.: His previous one was lost in the Bosphorus.
25 May 1855: Asks his father to send a new regimental bridle according to the new pattern, but this item is not urgently required.
28 June 1855: Asks his father for another parcel of books from Bain's. 'Good ones, new novels, or something of the sort. we are not in a humour for serious things'.
25 July 1855: Informs his father that whilst on picket he lost his sabretasche, which held a silver fork and spoon.: He believes it was stolen from where it was strapped to his saddle.
31 August 1855: Asks his mother for two new India rubber tubs, one small for a wash-hand basin, and a larger one for a tub, to be obtained from an India rubber shop like Macintosh's.
31 August 1855: Asks his mother for the thick regimental jacket [that he had previously sent home from Scutari.] To be sent with Friend's things.
31 August 1855: Asks his mother for a pair of regimental spurs to be added to his request for boots.
6 September 1855: With respect to the winter kit his mother is preparing, he asks that she doesn't leather his overhalls that are at home, as he has plenty that are leathered in the East. Also they are his ball overhalls, and too thin for winter.
6 September 1855: Asks his mother for some preserved soup [if they stay], a large quantity.
6 September 1855: Asks his mother for some knives, spoons, and forks [common ones].
6 September 1855: Asks his mother for some cartridges, ready for use, Denby and Adams' large size pistol, made up in copper cans.
16 September 1855: Confirms with his mother that as the situation is so uncertain, that he wants her to send the things previously mentioned, and his servant's things, at once.
30 September 1855: Reconfirms his request with his mother for his warm jacket, and his servant's clothes.
30 September 1855: Informs his mother that Cuff, or whoever the regimental bridle was ordered with, has sent it, along with a lot of other saddlery not requested, to the value of £8.
30 September 1855: Informs his mother that the head collar has arrived, but is the wrong pattern and will not be able to be used. He will return it, and if it was ordered must be paid for.
9 December 1855: Asks his mother to invest his surplus revenue, apart from £300 for his use at Scutari, and enough to reimburse her and Philip, cover his debts in England, and to buy a horse.
9 December 1855: Asks his mother for two new girths for a plain saddle, and one for a egimental saddle, which if ordered quickly can be sent with a head collar already ordered at Cuffs.
9 December 1855: Asks his mother for a new plain double reined bridle and a snaffle.
9 December 1855: Thanks his mother for the portable soups in the last package which were very good and came in the nick of time, but were not what he wanted. They would be no good in a campaign, and should be sent in bladders.
9 December 1855: Reports to his mother that the tubs arrived.
9 December 1855: Asks his mother for another dozen 1s. novels.
16 December 1855: Informs his mother that the excess saddlery has been returned to Cuffs, but that he now sees by her letter that it was Hamburger that sent it. Asks her to retrieve it from Cuff on its arrival and to sort it out.
16 December 1855: Tells his mother that he has heard from Hamburger that the gold belts his father had sent were second hand, and that his father has said that if they were 'nearly the same they would do.': Explains that this was a mistake, as the new Colonel is more particular than Lord George Paget and is a stickler for the strictly: regimental, and the items are therefore of no use.
16 December 1855: Asks his mother to pay all his bills and sell his charger.
30 December 1855: Asked his mother for six pillow cases, one pair of hunting spurs and six flannel shirts of a dark colour [black and white check is good].
30 December 1855: Asked his mother for two plain saddle pads, from Gardner's. And they never sent the head collars for the regimental bit, so these could be sent with the other things.
30 December 1855: Queries whether his mother has heard from Hamburgers about the returned saddlery.
30 December 1855: Asks his mother to arrange for Marsh to make him a pair of butcher boots [top boots without the tops].
22 January 1856: Asks his mother for a new sheepskin instead of the one she sent before which belongs to his Shabraque.
30 January 1856: Discusses with his father about Hamburger's bill. He objects to paying.
for the crupper head collar, head stall straps, shoe cases, and pockets for nails, all of which were returned. The items included a regimental bridle which he kept, and must be deducted from the sum to be refunded.
30 January 1856: Informs his father that as peace looms any articles not yet shipped need not be sent. If it is to be peace it is best to keep the charger, and not to sell him.
8 March 1856: Discusses with his mother the box he sent home on the Bucephalus. It included a new pouch belt [gold] and a quantity of shirts, and possibly a suit of plain clothes. There was also a portmanteau on the Pelican which was shipped last year but its fate is unknown.
8 March 1856: Asks his mother to have some shirts made for his return, with the wristbands doubled back to fasten with studs, at Nichols of Housely, or similar.: All his shirts have been lost.
3 April 1856: Reminds his mother to order the shirts for home, now that peace is declared. Also discusses the purchase of two new chargers.
21 April 1856: Another reminder to his mother about the shirts. Queries the contents of a box his mother sent, believed to contain a pouch and sword belt, possibly plain clothes, and hopefully not his best evening coat or frock.
4 May 1856: Informs his mother about where to send his things on his return to England.
12 May 1856: Asks his mother to tell Marsh to have a pair of regimental boots [Wellingtons], not too thick, made up. Also a pair of button boots for plain clothes made thin for summer, to await his arrival in England.
Fiennes Wykeham Martin Letters, Fiennes Wykeham Martin 4LD, July 1854 — May 1856 4th Light Dragoons Index:.
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On the 26th of October 1979 an article appeared in the Kent and Sussex Courier about two Tunbridge Wells men who had ridden in the Charge and included in this was a picture of Lord Cornwallis, MC, of Ashurst Park, Tunbridge Wells, then 87 years of age, with Crimean and Balaclava memorabilia of his grandfather, Fiennes Wykeham Martin.
Kent and Sussex Courier, 26 October 1979. This is the page in EJB's 4LD Officers photograph folders.
This gentleman was descended from the latter's eldest son, Fiennes Stanley Wykeham, who was elevated to the peerage in January of 1927, and the younger brother of Fiennes Cornwallis, MC, of the 17th Lancers, who was killed by the IRA in 1921.
Two pictures portrayed Fiennes Martin in uniform and of one of his chargers, "Toby", who carried him at Balaclava. (This horse actually belonged to his brother, Philip.) Also shown are his sabretache cover, with the regimental battle honours worked in gold.
Although the existence of this particular picture was not learnt of until late 1992, it is now known that the then Lord Cornwallis died in January 1982.
Correspondence with the present Lord Cornwallis and the sending of a copy of this record brought the information that he was in possession of the items previously known of, as well as the medals and sabre of Fiennes Martin, and a portrait of his uncle, Fiennes Cornwallis of the 17th Lancers, which named him as a Major.
His grandson, Captain Fiennes Wykeham Mann Cornwallis, M.C. and Croix de Guerre, was killed in Ireland on the 15th May 1921.
He was in command of a detachment of the 17th Lancers at Gort at this time and had been playing tennis with a number of others at Ballyturbin House. Returning home in a gig, and wearing civilian clothes, one of the park gates was found to be closed and Captain Cornwallis got out to open it.
Immediately following this, a heavy fire was opened up from the lodge and surrounding shrubbery. Four out of the five members of the party were killed instantaneously, only one woman member present escaping. No arrests were ever made for these murders.
Extract from the 1985 issue of the White Lancer:
"Mrs. Margaret Bruxner Randall died in October of 1984, in her 90th year. As a young girl, Miss Molly Bagot, she was one of a tennis party at the Bagot home, as were Captain Cornwallis and Lieutenant McCreery.
The party went on quite late and broke up about eight o'clock, when the two officers left to motor back to Gort, taking with them Captain Blake of the Constabulary, his pregnant wife and a Mrs. Gregory.
At the foot of the drive they found the gate closed and stopped to open it. Colonel Hurrell relates that 'McCreery got out to open it, when a party of the I.R.A jumped up from behind the wall, shot him, then Cornwallis and Blake. They saw Mrs. Blake was about to have a child, and riddled her with bullets.
Mrs. Gregory escaped, also with her curly-haired retriever dog, and ran back to the Bagot house to raise the alarm.
Molly Bagot immediately got out her pony and rode across country to Gort to fetch a doctor and warn the authorities. It was a journey which a fully-armed patrol would have made with care, for the country was swarming with "rebels" and Miss Bagot, a young girl alone and un-armed, showed very exceptional courage, which was recognised and still remembered by the regiment.
Colonel Hurrell also well-recalls Captain Cornwallis as "the greatest sportsman he had ever met." When the Commanding Officer, "Bertie" Fisher, forbade the officers to go out hunting in Ireland because of the terrorists' threats, the young "Corny" persuaded him to permit hunting provided that "those out carried a loaded revolver in their pocket".
The curly-haired terrier "Grouse," was later adopted by Colonel Hurrell's Troop and became a hero, and not only to the soldiers, because it eventually fathered practically all the dogs in barracks."
From the official RIC report:
"In an ambush at Ballyturrin House, four miles east of Gort, at 2045 hours on the 15th of May the following were killed, Captain Cornwallis, MC., 17th Lancers, Lieutenant McCreery, 17th Lancers, District Inspector Blake, Royal Irish Constabulary and Mrs. Blake, wife of DI Blake.
The above named left Ballyturrin House, the home of Mrs Bagot, by car at about 20.40 hours. They found the gates at the end of the drive closed. Captain Cornwallis immediately jumped down to open them and at this moment fire was opened by the rebels from the front and right rear.
Captain Cornwallis fell and Lieutenant McCreery was shot dead getting out of the car. The other three occupants lay down by the side of the car but were inmmediately fired upon by the front party. DI. Blake and his wife's bodies were riddled with bullets, but Mrs. Gregory was not touched.
Miss Bagot and her father ran from the house into the drive upon hearing the firing and saw the rebels emptying the pockets of the dead and everything was stolen, including revolvers.
It is considered that the greater percentage of the thirty men who took part in the ambush were local men and that a few came over from the Clare mountains."