Bidders to the right of them: Charge of the Light Brigade lancer's medals sold at auction
Medals awarded to the cavalryman who is the central figure in the iconic painting of the Charge of the Light Brigade have been sold at auction for around three times their expected price.
Sergeant James Wightman, of the 17th Lancers, is the key figure in Richard Caton Woodville's artwork, which now hangs in the National Army Museum.
His group of three medals, which had remained in the same collection for the past 40 years, sold for £22,000 at Noonans Mayfair, having been expected to fetch between £6,000 and £8,000.
Both famous and tragic
Noonans official Christopher Mellor-Hill explained before the sale: "The Charge of the Light Brigade is considered as one of the most famous and tragic of actions in British military history.
"We are very pleased to be offering this important set of medals, which also includes Sgt Wightman's Indian Mutiny medal."
Sgt Wightman, who was born in York in 1834 and enlisted in 1852, was severely wounded in no fewer than 13 places and subsequently taken prisoner in the Charge of the Light Brigade on 25 October 1854.
He rejoined his regiment in the winter of 1855, fought in the Indian Mutiny and was promoted to Ensign in the Military Train in 1865.
He later became Secretary of the Balaklava Commemoration Society and left one of the finest first-hand accounts of the charge. Wightman spent the rest of his life living in London, until his death in February 1907 and he was buried in Brompton Cemetery.
What was the Charge of the Light Brigade?
During the fighting near Balaclava during the Crimean War, British commanders intended for the 670 cavalrymen of the Light Brigade to prevent Russian troops from removing captured guns from a nearby position.
But due to a series of unclear orders and misunderstandings, the brigade charged directly down a valley towards a heavily defended Russian gun position.
The cavalrymen rode more than a mile, all the while under fire from guns positioned not only in front of them, but also on the heights surrounding the valley.
The Light Brigade, which was led by James Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, reached the Russian guns and briefly engaged the enemy, but were forced to retreat, costing them around 110 men killed and 160 wounded, plus many of their horses.
The charge only lasted about 20 minutes, but became one of the most well-known actions in British military history.
In his own words
Also included in the auction was a rare original copy of the recipient's Balaklava and Russian captivity memoirs that were published in May 1892.
One extract says: "And I remember as if it were but yesterday Cardigan's figure and attitude, as he faced the brigade and in his strong hoarse voice gave the momentous word of command 'the brigade will advance! First squadron of 17th Lancers direct!'.
"Calm as on parade – calmer indeed by far than his wont on parade – stately, square and erect, master of himself, his brigade, and his noble charger, Cardigan looked the ideal cavalry leader, with his stern firm face and his quiet soldierly bearing.
"His long military seat was perfection on the thoroughbred chestnut Ronald with the white stockings on the near hind and fore, which my father, his old riding-master, had broken for him.
"He was in the full uniform of his old corps, the 11th Hussars, and he wore the pelisse, not slung, but put on like a patrol jacket, its front one blaze of gold lace. His drawn sword was in his hand at the slope and never saw I man fitter to wield the weapon."
The account continues: "As I have said, he gave the word of command, and then turning his head toward his trumpeter, Britten of the Lancers, he quietly said 'Sound the Advance!' and wheeled his horse, facing the dark mass at the farther end of the valley which we knew to be the enemy.
"The trumpeter sounded the walk, after a few horse-lengths came the trot. I did not hear the gallop, but it was sounded. Neither voice nor trumpet, so far as I know, ordered the charge."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
