Blood and Gore at Balaklava 

Presented by Roger Hamilton 1st June 2022

Recorded By Rick Purnell

Roger Hamilton a member of Torquay Probus club was the speaker for Teignmouth Probus Club June meeting who presented his talk and slide show of the events of the 25th of October 1854, the battle for the Crimea. This military engagement changed the culture of future warfare and many new words and phrases introduced to the English language. The exploits of Tsar Nicholas I’s troops to sort out the Turkish army over a squabble that the Orthodox religion was not being protected, drew in the French and English to form the world’s largest army to destroy the Russian Fleet and recapture the Crimea. The roles of Commander Lord Raglan ( GB), General Canrobert (France), Omar Pasha (Turkish forces) , Lord Lucan (Light Brigade Cavalry), Sir Colin Campbell (Highlanders), Sir James Scarlet (Heavy Brigade) and several other notables within the ranks were detailed especially the events of infamous ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ led by Lord Cardigan which was about a 20 minute but game changing event.  Mention was made of the activities of William Russell, the first official war correspondent working for the Times Newspaper.

At that time, senior army commanders bought their commissions with little or no military experience. Many a military blunder ensued which brought about the abolition of such practices and future commands to this day are now earned by service, merit and ability.

Following a lively question time, the vote of thanks was given by member David Richards.

Photograph - (L-R) Malcolm Adams (Chairman), John Polley (Secretary) & Roger Hamilton (Presenter)

Our next speaker is Brian Portch whose subject is “The Suez Crisis of 1956”.

Teignmouth Probus club meets at Richard Newton Hall Community Centre on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 10:00amIf any retired male readers in Teignmouth would like to know more about us, please visit our website:  www.teignmouth-probus-club.org.uk