Captain Morris The 17th Lancers Review Order, 1854

Description

The 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) – today The Royal Lancers – regiment landed at Calamita Bay near Eupatoria [Yevpatoriya, Евпаторийский] on the west coast of Crimea in September 1854 for service in the Crimean War and saw action, as part of the Light Brigade under the command of Major General the Earl of Cardigan, at the Battle of Alma in September 1854. The regiment, commanded by Captain William Morris, was in the first line of cavalry on the left flank during the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854. The brigade drove through the Russian artillery before smashing straight into the Russian cavalry and pushing them back. It was unable to consolidate its position, having insufficient forces and had to withdraw to its starting position, coming under further attack as it did so. The regiment lost 7 officers and 67 men in the debacle. The regiment went on to take part in the Siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854. After the inception of the Victoria Cross in 1856, three members of the regiment received the award for acts of gallantry in the charge: These were Troop Sergeant-Major John Berryman, Sergeant-Major Charles Wooden, and Sergeant John Farrell.