BOOKS : A VICTORIAN RSM.

This book, which I have had for some years,  was published in 1987 and is an edited copy of the diary of George Loy Smith who was RSM of the 11th Hussars during the Crimea War. That regiment was commanded by Lord Cardigan for 16 years and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade as did Loy Smith.

The dairy covers the whole of his career from joining up in 1833 as a boy of 16 through service in India, Ireland and England, and of course,  throughout the Crimea campaign, until his retirement shortly thereafter.  At that time he became a Yeoman Warder or Beefeater at the Tower of London.

The book gives fabulous descriptions of service life in India, the activities and events of peacetime soldiering at home and good insights into his infamous commanding officer. Although he thought Cardigan a harsh disciplinarian, he also thought him keen to ensure  the rank and file had no injustice done to them by those in authority over them, an interesting and unexpected observation. He also liked Cardigan's gift for remembering the men's names.

As you might expect much of the book covers the campaign in  the Crimea and the Charge in particular, almost a minute by minute account in fact.  Loy Smith clearly understood he had participated in an historic event and indeed he became President of the Balaclava Commemorative Society after his retirement. The book gives a vivid first hand account of both the voyage to the Crimea and life generally throughout the campaign. He also provides interesting observations on the various battles that he saw as an onlooker. As is well known the Cavalry were largely kept away from the fighting  until of course the Charge.

There is a vast amount of fascinating information on all sorts of subjects and the book is highly recommended to anyone interested in the Crimea War or life in the British army and the Cavalry in particular in the years before that war.