This hand coloured engraving from a portrait of
Cornet Wombwell illustrates the uniform worn by
officers of the 17th at the time of the Charge
of the Light Brigade in 1854. It is very similar
to the uniform shown in the 1845 portrait, but
in 1853 officers were ordered to remove the
gold embroidery from their collars and cuffs.
The height of the collar was also reduced.
The same order stipulated that the size of the
czapka be reduced as well. These changes must
have been very welcome at the time as campaigning
in stiff high, heavily embroidered collars and heavy
head-gear would have made things even worse than
they were. His charger behind him shows the bridle
with the motto on the cross straps, and a glimpse
of the shabracque.
He looks the part of a proud victor with his foot on
a Russian cannon. It is likely that this was painted
in England on his return from the Crimea, and the
debris of battle has been reconstructed, including
the basket-weave trench re-enforcements on his
left.
Sir George Orby Wombwell was 22 at the time of
the Charge. He had joined the 17th in 1852 and was
appointed ADC to Lord Cardigan for the campaign.
When he reached the guns, his horse was killed under
him. He mounted another, which, however was wounded
and he was shortly after pulled off and taken prisoner,
his sword and pistols being taken from him by some
Russian Lancers. He managed to escape, catch
another loose horse and ride, hell for leather back
to the British lines, hotly pursued by Russians.
In 1855, he succeeded his father to become Lord
Wombwell of Wombwell, Yorkshire. His uniform
still exists and can be seen at the regimental
museum at Belvior Castle, Grantham.
