1854 The Crimean War and the Charge of The Light Brigade Of 673 men who attacked the Russian Guns in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava 478 lost their lives, one was Private Patrick Dowling of the 17th Lancers. In the mid 1800's tension grew between the world powers.  While other factors were present the trigger to the War was over a religious right to guard the key to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.  Russia's Tsar Nicholas I demanded the right for the Greek Orthodox Church or else the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire would suffer invasion.  The Sultan refused and the Tsar invaded on 3rd July 1854.  Britain and France as interested parties became allies to repel the invaders.   The Crimean War was plagued by illness and horrific injury.  The Russians consistently outgunning the allies inflicted severe casualties on the allied forces.  On the 17th October 1854 the allies commenced their bombardment of a key Russian stronghold at Sebastopol. Lord Raglan wishes the cavalry to advance rapidly to the front, and try to prevent the enemy carrying away the guns.  Troop of horse-artillery may accompany.  French cavalry is on your left.  Immediate. Lord Raglan's positive order that, "the Light Brigade attacks immediately" was met with some  doubt as to how sound the strategy was by commanders Lord Cardigan and Lord Lucan.  Nevertheless, on the 25th October 1854 they executed the order. Cardigan rode at the head of the brigade and gave the order to advance on the Russian artillery.  In the first line behind was Private Patrick Dowling in the 17th Lancers with the 13th Dragoons.

Half a league, half a league, half a league onwards, All in the valley of Death rode the six hundred. 'Forward, the Light Brigade!  Charge for the guns!" he said: Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldier knew someone had blunder'd: Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die: Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred.

Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon to the front of them volley'd and thunder'd: Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth oh Hell rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air, Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while all the world wonder'd: Plunged into battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon behind them volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, left of the six hundred.

When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made!  All the world wonder'd Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred. Alfred Lord Tennyson 1854

Patrick is shown in the list of men taken from the 17th Lancers' pay list and muster book for the final quarter of 1854.  The original documents are in the Public Records Office at Kew, England (ref. WO12/1339). Name and Rank Period Served with Regiment  (Between 1 October and 31 December 1854) Remarks Private:  Dowling, Patrick 1 October - 25 October Killed in action at Balaclava Source Family History Monthly Issue 50 of November 1999. Copyright © 1999 Brian Dowling. All rights reserved.