Welcome to our new temporary exhibition, focusing on the depictions of The King’s Royal Hussars and its antecedent regiments throughout history. From card games, political cartoons, comics, to tv & film, The Hussars have been a feature of pop culture since their formation in the eighteenth century. Come and visit the exhibit to explore how depictions of our Regiment have changed across three hundred years, and read below for extra in-depth details on some of the exciting objects we have on display.
Beau Brummell – Fashion, Film and Music
George Bryan Brummell (1778 – 1840), known popularly as ‘Beau’ Brummell, was a prominent figure in Regency England, noted for his fashion and taste. From 1794 to 1798, he served in the 10th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Regiment of Light Dragoons. Brummell rose to the rank of captain, through the purchase system, but proved a poor officer. He was frequently away on leave and did not learn the names of the men in his troop. When the Regiment was posted to Manchester in 1798, he resigned his commission, supposedly stating that ‘he was not prepared to go on foreign service’!
Through his association with the Prince of Wales, Beau Brummell became one of the most influential figures in men’s fashion in England. His distinctive ‘dandy’ style emphasized the wearing of understated, but perfectly tailored clothes, in place of the elaborate male fashioned that had previously been popular.
The life, and later decline, of Beau Brummell has been the subject of numerous movies. In his first (now presumed lost) film adaptation in 1913, Brummell was played by actor and director James Young. Later movies included Beau Brummel’ (1924), ‘Beau Brummell’ (1954) and ‘Beau Brummell: This Charming Man’ (2006), starring John Barrymore, Stewart Granger and James Purefoy, respectively.
Left: A Scene from the 1924 silent film ‘Beau Brummel’ starring John Barrymore as Brummell talking to the Prince of Wales (Willard Louis) in his uniform as Colonel of The 10th Hussars.
The Beau’s ‘dandy’ style later inspired musicians such as American rock band ‘The Beau Brummels’ and new wave singer Adam Ant. The latter has frequently performed wearing a jacket inspired by that worn by the 10th Hussars.
Other singers to wear Hussar-style jackets included Michael Jackson and Jimi Hendrix.
The Charge of the Light Brigade
The 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade, one of the most famous actions in military history. The action took place during the Battle of Balaclava (25th October 1854), fought during the Crimean War (1853-56). The 11th Hussars, an antecedent of the current Regiment, formed part of the Light Brigade. Due to a confused order, the light cavalry mistakenly charged a Russian artillery battery, suffering heavy losses.
The drama, tragedy and bravery of the Charge of the Light Brigade has inspired many poems, songs, books, paintings and films. Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade” was published in December 1854 – just two months after the battle. The action appears in numerous novels, such as ‘Ravenshoe’ (1862), ‘Black Beauty’ (1877), ‘Flashman at the Charge’ (1973), and ‘The Valley of Death’ (2011).
The Charge of the Light Brigade has been the subject of many paintings. Artists such as Thomas Baker, Robert Hillingford, Richard Caton-Woodville, and, perhaps most famously, Lady Butler, all created works based on either the charge itself or its aftermath. The song “The Trooper”, released by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden in 1983, was based on the events of the Charge.
Thomas Edison’s film ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ (1912) was the first time the action was seen on screen – with extras provided by serving soldiers from the US Cavalry.
Two subsequent movies of the same name were released in 1936 and 1968. The former starred Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, with the latter starring Trevor Howard, John Gielgud, Harry Andrews and David Hemmings.
In the 1968 film Trevor Howard’s portrayal of Lord Cardigan is particularly memorable, playing him as arrogant, petty and militarily incompetent.
“I do not propose to recount my life in any detail, what is what. No damn business of anyone, what is what. I am Lord Cardigan, that is what! Them Cherrybums [a nickname for the 11th Hussars], you see ’em tight, my Cherrybums, I keep ’em tight. Ten thousand a year out of me own pocket I spend to clothe ’em. A master cutler sharps their swords, and I keep ’em tight-stitched, cut to a shadow. Good! If they can’t fornicate, they can’t fight, and if they don’t fight hard, I’ll flog their backs raw, for all their fine looks!” – Lord Cardigan (Trevor Howard) in ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’, 1968.
Trooper Rawlings - The Eleventh's film star
For the filming of Tony Richardson’s ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ in 1968 the 11th Hussars lent several paintings and pieces of mess silver and from the Officer’s Mess. They were to be used in the scene which recreated the beginning of Cardigan’s infamous ‘Black Bottle affair’.
Trooper K. Rawlings, the Officer’s Mess Silverman transported the pieces to the studios in London, to ensure they were safely looked after.Clearly photogenic he was cast as the Mess Steward in the Officers’ Mess dinner scene, adding authenticity to the scene and becoming the Regiment’s film star!
Books
‘Flashman’ by George MacDonald Fraser
The first book in the Flashman Papers, written by George MacDonald Fraser, tells the story of anti-hero Harry Flashman VC. After being expelled from Rugby School, Flashman is commissioned into the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons. A number of historical officers of the Regiment are depicted, including Lord Cardigan and Captain John Reynolds.
In the subsequent book ‘Flashman at the Charge’, Flashman takes part, unwillingly, in the Charge of the Light Brigade. In the film adaptation of ‘Royal Flash’ (1975), Flashman was played by Malcolm McDowell.
The following quotes give a flavour of Flashman’s view of the 11th Light Dragoons (later Hussars):
“However, at this time I’d no thought beyond being a humble cornet, and living high in a crack regiment, which was one of the reasons I had fixed on the 11th Dragoons. Also, that they were close to town”.
“The 11th Light Dragoons at this time were newly back from India, where they had been serving since before I was born. They were a fighting regiment, and — I say it without regimental pride, for I never had any, but as a plain matter of fact — probably the finest mounted troops in England, if not in the world. Yet they had been losing officers, since coming home, hand over fist. The reason was James Brudenell, Earl of Cardigan”.
“I snapped my heels and bowed with a great flourish — I was in uniform, and the gold-trimmed blue cape and pink pants of the 11th Hussars were already famous, and looked extremely well on me”.
‘Mr. Buffin and his Grey Mare’ by Robert Hartman (1937)
Major Robert Hartman, formerly of the 11th Hussars, wrote and illustrated the Mr. Buffin series of children’s books. The horse in ‘Mr. Buffin and his Grey Mare’ is called Violet and is likely based on Hartman’s own horse Violette, which he rode throughout the First World War. After the conflict, during which Violette was twice wounded in action, Hartman kept her. He continued to ride her in point-to-points and hunts. Violette died at the age of 23 in 1932.
Violette’s hoof can be seen in our ‘Stables’ display alongside an oil painting of her.
Cartoons and Comics
The uniform and reputation of hussar regiments have made them a popular subject for cartoons and illustrations. The 10th Hussars, who gained a reputation in the 1820s for arrogance, were a particularly popular target for satirical prints and cartoons during the 19th Century. More recently comics such as ‘Victor’ featured stories based on real-life stories of gallantry, with the front-cover often featuring a gallantry award winner.
There is an excellent collection of further cartoons in the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection which can be viewed here.
Lady Londonderry – 10th Hussar Cartoon
Drawn by Scottish cartoonish and caricaturist William Heathin 1829, this political cartoon shows Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness of Londonderry, dressed in the uniform of the 10th Hussars and sporting a large moustache! Titled ‘One of the Tenth’, the picture is captioned ‘When I was an Infant Gossips would say when I grew older I’de be a Soldier’ and ‘Hyde Park May 27 1829 Sketched at the Review’.
Frances Vane was the wife of Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Colonel of the 10th Hussars. The cartoon was parodying Frances’ perceived interference in military reviews and her choice to adopt a military-style costume, based on the uniform of her husband’s Regiment.
The Victor Comics
Published weekly by DC Thomson between 1961-1992, ‘The Victor’ was a British comic that mainly focused on stories based on the British Armed Forces (as well as sport and more general adventure). Some popular characters included Union Jack Jackson, Matt ‘Bomber’ Braddock and the Hot-Air Hussars. Although mainly fictional, ‘The Victor’ featured many real stories of bravery and adventure. The 10th, 11th and 14th/20th Hussars all made appearances.
On display in the Museum are The Victor – No.892 (March 1978) featuring Peter ‘Bodge’ Browne 14th/20th Hussars and Victor and No.772 (December 1975) featuring Lieutenant Jimmy Burridge, 11th Hussars.
Victor no. 892, the front cover shown here, illustrates how Captain ‘Bodge’ Browne was awarded the Military Cross. In August 1941, during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran/Persia, the 14th/20th came under fire from Persian anti-tank guns, artillery and machine guns. Lieutenant Donovan’s light tank became bogged down in a ditch. Browne commandeered a Universal Carrier and, under intense fire, attached a tow rope to Donovan’s vehicle, dragging it to safety.
Other Depictions
19 Crimes – Red Wine
The Australian wine company ‘19 Crimes’ is themed around convicts that were transported to Australia during the 18-19th centuries. The red wine features a photograph of John Boyle O’Reilly.
O’Reilly was serving in the 10th Hussars in 1866, when it was discovered that he was secretly an agent of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (the Fenians), an organization dedicated to armed rebellion in Ireland. He was arrested and charged with mutiny. After his arrest The Commanding Officer of the 10th, Colonel Valentine Baker, said to him: ‘You have ruined the finest regiment in the service’.
However, during the trial Baker spoke in defence of O’Reilly, stating that he had always been a good soldier. Subsequently, O’Reilly’s sentence was commuted from death to transportation.
After escaping to the United States in 1869, he became a prominent spokesperson for the Irish community and culture, becoming a prolific writer and journalist.
Action Man Royal Hussars Uniform
In 1970 Palitoy launched the ‘Famous British regiments’ series for Action Man, starting with the Grenadier Guards and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders . A year later it was renamed Famous British Uniforms an by the mid-1970s included several cavalry regiments: The Life Guards, Blues and Royals and the 17th/21st Lancers. In 1979 The Royal Hussars appeared in the equipment manual of 1979/80.
In 2006 The Royal Hussars was one of several uniforms chosen to be replicated to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Action Man, and the museum
example is one of these later reproductions.
Below: Captain David Diggens, Royal Hussars, poses next to an Action Man display showing how accurate the uniform is, c.1980!
Cigarette Cards
Each of the antecedent regiments of King’s Royal Hussars were featured on cigarette cards – trading cards includedin packs of cigarettes. In the exhibition are four examples from different manufacturers showing the range of themes and illustrations used across these collectible cards.
“Kruger”, Pet Monkey, 14th Hussars
Produced in 1911 by W.D. & H.O. Willis, this card was part of a series titled ‘Regimental Pets’. Kruger, described on the front of the card as a monkey, but more accurately on the reverse as a baboon, was acquired by the 14th Hussars following the capture of Pretoria in 1900 during the Second Boer War (1899-1902). Kruger remained with the Regiment until 1905.
Lieutenant Dunn VC, Balaklava 1854
This card was part of a series produced in 1914 by John Player & Sons, titled ‘Victoria Cross’. The collection covered just 24 medal stories, with one of these dedicated to Lieutenant Alexander Dunn, 11th Hussars. The first Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross, Dunn took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade, during which he rescued a soldier, surrounded by Cossack lancers, killing three of them. He then saved a second soldier, killing a Russian hussar in single combat.
Officer, 10th Hussars, 1878-80
Forming part of a series on ‘Regimental Uniforms’, this British American Tobacco card, dating from 1936, shows an officer of the 10th Hussars during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-80). The reverse of the card mentions a tragic accident that occurred during the conflict, when 47 men and 13 horses of the Regiment were drowned crossing the Kabul River. This incident inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the poem ‘Ford o’ Kabul River’ in 1890.
Sergeant, 20th Hussars, 1909
An Ogden’s cigarette card, part of the ‘Soldiers of the King’ series, issued in 1909, shows a non-commissioned officer in the 20th Hussars in Full Dress uniform.The reverse of the card highlights that the 20th had been “formed and disbanded two or three times” (in fact, four times!).
