by James Edwin McConnell
Thanet Branch Chairman opened the meeting by formally advising branch members that, regrettably, the Thanet Branch can only continue its monthly meetings until the end of this year (2019) and then it will be closed down.
The closure is because, as discussed at the Branch A.G.M, the Committee are having increasing difficulty in covering branch meetings. Significant help from members had been requested, but without success. Therefore, after consultation with the K.F.H.S. Executive, Thanet Branch Committee decided that rather than struggling on further the final meeting of the Thanet Branch will be the Branch Members’ Christmas Party on the 11th December 2019.
The June Talk: An illustrated talk by Geoff Beer entitled
Lord Cardigan, commander at the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Born 1797 to a life of aristocratic privilege, James Brudenell joined the Army in 1824 and bought rapid promotion under the purchase system. By 1832 he commanded 15th Hussars but he behaved like a tyrant, leading him to court martial an officer. The man was exonerated and Brudenell removed. However, against a storm of public opinion, he obtained reinstatement and bought command of 11th Light Dragoons in 1836. Succeeding as Earl of Cardigan to a massive fortune in 1837, he spent lavishly on his regiment and repeatedly quarrelled with his officers. Cardigan’s military career culminated in the disastrous, but much celebrated, Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea. Here as the result of confused orders, he charged Russian batteries, with heavy losses to his men, but returned to England a hero, although his actions were soon mired in controversy.
Cardigan was notorious not only for his military activities, but also for his private life. In 1826 he married his mistress after an expensive divorce. He had countless affairs and in 1863 was cited in the very seamy Paget divorce case. He outraged Society and the public with his doings, which included duelling and horsewhipping a journalist. Immediately his first wife was dead, he married another mistress, notorious for her outrageous behaviour. He fell from his horse and died in 1868.
Report by Michael Lucas Thanet Branch Chairman