Cornet William MUSSENDEN — 8th Hussars

Birth & early life

Born in London on the 17th of January 1836, the son of William Mussenden, of Larchfield, near Hilsborough, Co. Down, M.P. Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of County Down, and his wife, Sarah, daughter of Peter Low, Esq., of Dublin.

Service

Cornet in the 8th Hussars: 10th of June 1853.

Lieutenant, 8th Hussars: 19th of January 1855,

Captain, 8th Hussars: 31st of January 1858.

Major, 8th Hussars: 21st of March 1858.

The Regimental History states that:

"There was a prevalence of glanders amongst the troop horses, the first case occurring at Island Bridge Barracks in May of 1871 and the last at Longford in September of 1874, and between these dates fifty horses, including two chargers, the property of Major Mussenden, were destroyed."

Lieutenant-Colonel in the 8th Hussars, and assumed the command of the regiment: 14th of November 1874.

To Colonel and on to half-pay: 28th of November 1879.

Major-General: 29th of December 1899.

Colonel of the Regiment: 8th of June 1895.

On the 31st of July 1866, he married, at Burton Agnes, Yorkshire, Katherine Maude, daughter of Sir Henry Somerville Boynton (and sister of George H.L. Boynton of the 17th Lancers).

On the 1st of October 1897 he wrote the following letter:

"25 Eaton Square,

London.

My dear Henderson,

On my return to London I send you the extract from General Seagar's pocket-book which I promised you.

It is in his own handwriting, but the notes are in the handwriting of General De Salis.

How it came to be in my possession I do not now remember, but I think the Regiment should have it, being the original: if so, will you get the Orderly Room Clerk to make me a copy of it.

You will observe we had only 116 mounted men on parade that morning, and including officers, but one troop (George Chetwode's) was on escort to Lord Raglan, and did not take part in the charge.

2nd officers are put down as Staff, Seagar, the Adjutant, was one, and Lockwood, A.D.C. to Lord Cardigan, the other.

The four Officers who rode in the Charge are not mentioned by name, came out unwounded, with their horses, they were:

Colonel Shewell.

Major de Salis.

Lieutenant Heneage.

Cornet Glyn.

Yours, very truly,

Genl. Wm. Mussenden.

P.S. It is unfortunate that the names of the unwounded men are not given.

1983: This document is now (1983) in the Officers' Mess of the Regiment. A "J.A. Henderson" served in the regiment from 1885 to 1902, (M.I.D. in South Africa, 1901) and leaving the regiment in the rank of Major (and Acting 2nd in Command).

Campaign service

Lieutenant Mussenden served the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of the Alma, Balaclava, (horse shot) Inkerman, and the Tchernya, affairs of the Bulkganak and MacKenzie's Farm, and the Siege and fall of Sebastopol. (Medal and four clasps and the 5th Class Order of the Medjidie.)

Served in Rajapootana and was present at the capture of Kotah and the battle of Koteria. (Medal and Clasp.)

Medals

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

Further detailed medal information archived.

Commemorations

[Add info about his presence at the 1875 Commemoration.]

Portrait in the Illustrated London News, 30th October 1875.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Commemorations

Life after service

Death & burial

He died at 25, Eaton Square, London, on the 6th of March 1910, aged 74 years, and was buried in Kensal Rise Cemetery on the 10th of March in Grave No. 42454/110/PS.

Also later interred in the same grave-space was his wife, Katherine Maude, who was buried on the 11th of January 1933, his son, Colonel Francis William Mussenden, who was buried on the 25th of March 1931 and a Henry Mussenden (relationship unknown) who was buried on the 30th of September 1933.

His widow was shown as the original owner of the plot, her address being given as No. 25 Eaton Square, and on her death the ownership passed to the Public Trustee.

His son, Colonel F.W. Mussenden, originally entered the 19th Hussars, but transferred to the 8th Hussars on the 30th of July 1891 as a Lieutenant.

After serving during the South African War in Colonel Rimington's Column he assumed the command of the 8th Hussars in October of 1913 and served with them in France before leaving in August of 1917 to take over command of the Cavalry Remount Depot at Rouen.

Extract from The Times , 11th of March 1910:

"Funeral of General Mussenden.

The funeral took place at Kensal Green Cemetery yesterday of Major-General William Mussenden.

The first portion of the service was conducted at St Peter's, Eaton Square, by the Revd S. Majendie, Vicar of the Royal Chapel of St Katherines' and the Revd A. Fairbanks, of St Peters.

[Then follows a very long list of family, friends, and other mourners, many of whom were officers of the 8th Hussars. Amongt those mentioned was "William Bird, late of the 8th Hussars, who fought under General Mussenden and is the last Balaclava Hero in London at the present time", a number of In-Pensioners from Chelsea Royal Hospital, and the Corps of Commissionaires.]

The coffin was conveyed on a gun-carriage drawn by six horses, being driven by members of the Royal Horse Artillery and escorted by members of the non- commissioned ranks of the Royal Horse Guards, under the command of a Corporal-Major, and who also acted as bearers at the grave.

The cortege was met by the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, under the command of Captain W.N. Beckwith, and drummers under the baton of Bandmaster Staines, who rendered Chopin's "Funeral March." After the committal three volleys were fired by 82 members of the Coldstream Guards and the "Last Post" was sounded."

After the committal the troops dispersed to their various barracks.

The family memorial stone is in the form of a granite cross set on three plinths, the whole kerbed around, and now (1983) very overgrown and neglected.

The inscription on the front reads:

"In loving memory of Major-General William Mussenden. VIII King's Royal Irish Hussars. Born 17th of January 1836 — Died 6th March 1910.

General Mussenden served with the 8th Hussars in the Crimean campaign of 1854-55, including the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, and the campaign in Central India, 1857-58.

Also his son, Lieutenant-Colonel F.(rancis W.(illiam) Mussenden. 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, died 21st March 1931, aged 61 years." On the left-hand side of the plinth the inscription reads:

"Also in loving memory of Katherine Maude Mussenden, widow of Major- General William Mussenden, who died 7th January 1933, aged 85 years, and of Henry Clement Mussenden, their eldest son, who died 26th September 1933, aged 63 years."

There is a marble tablet to his memory on the wall of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. It reads:

"To the Glory of God and in memory of Major-General William Mussenden, of Larchfield, County Down, Colonel of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars.

Born January 17th 1836 — Died March 6th 1910.

He joined the Regiment as a Cornet, June 10th 1853 and afterwards serving in it continuously, commanded it from 1874-79. He was appointed Colonel of it in June of 1895.

He took part in the Crimean campaign, including the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.

Was present at the battle of the Alma, Inkerman, and the Siege of Sebastopol.

He also served in the Indian Mutiny campaign in Rajpootana in 1858 to 1859. This memorial has been placed here by the officers of his regiment."

A memorial tombstone still exists in Connolly Barracks, Longford, Ireland, bearing the names of two of his chargers, the inscriptions on it being, "Paddy and Smiley — Two Dearly Loved Friends — Died May 27 1873."

This is not now in its original position. Following the erection of further buildings in the 1970s, it had to be moved.

[PB: Is it possible these are horses he had with him in the Crimea?]

Extract from his will:

"I bequeath to my dear wife, Katherine Maude Mussenden, all my watches, jewels, trinkets, personal ornaments and wearing apparel, and all my finest plate, plated goods, glass, linen, manuscripts, pictures, prints, musical instruments, articles of vertu and all other articles of domestic or house use or ornament, wines, liquors, consumable stores or provisions and all my horses, carriages, harness, saddlery and stable furniture absolutely."

In his will he also left a personal estate of £67,241 to his widow.

In his wife's will, probate to the Public Trustee, she left the sum of £88,636/4/10.

Life after service

Death & burial