| James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl Of Cardigan |
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Information AboutJames Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl Of Cardigan |
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He was born in Hambleden , Buckinghamshire and educated at Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford . He was MP for Marlborough in Wiltshire from 1818 to 1829 , before inheriting the Earldom from his father in 1837 . By this time he was a serving army officer having joined the 8th Hussars in May 1824 , at the age of 27. He made extensive use of the Sale Of Commissions system then in use and became a Lieutenant in January 1825 , a Captain in June 1826 , a Major in August 1830 and a Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1830. In 1833 , he was forced to resign from the 15th Hussars because of conflicts with fellow officers, but in 1836 he took command of the 11th Hussars , using his own fortune to improve its performance. He was prosecuted in 1841 for a Duel with one of his own officers, but was acquitted. His most notorious exploit took place during the Crimean War on October 25 , 1854 when, in command of the Light Cavalry Brigade at the Battle Of Balaclava , he led the Charge Of The Light Brigade , reaching the Russian guns before returning, personally unscathed, in a maneuver that cost the lives of 110 men under his command out of 674, which took part in the charge. Lord Cardigan's guilt is unproven, since he attacked only after expressing his doubts and receiving direct order in front of the troops from his immediate superior Lord Lucan , Commander of Cavalry Division. It was during his service in the Crimea that the Cardigan Sweater was named after him. The British historian military historian. |
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