THE LIGHT BRIGADE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 40, 4 October 1890, Page 9

THE LIGHT BRIGADE.

It may be mentioned that while t.he number of survivors now believed to be alive is forty, two are abroad, while Lord Tredegar, who fought in the Charge as Captain, and the Hon. Godfrey Chas. Morgan, were unable to be present. Another omission noticeable will be that of Mr Pennington, the well-known actoi, who although participating in the Olympia gathering, was for some reason absent when the photo was being taken. ‘ Noble Six Hundred !’ What pathos is enshrined in this exultant note of the patriot-poet ! Unmovable as the Deluge, more brilliant in achievement than the triumph of Marathon, the Charge of the Light Brigade will stand out in letters of living light till history and heroism are no more. Well, therefore, might that brave old pageant that wended its way last week to Olympia, touch a tender chord in every British heart. It was the remnant of that noble band that, on the memorable 25th of October, 1854, rushed, as it seemed, with unexampled heroism, into the very jaws of death, ‘ glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendour of war.” Fifty of those grand old heroes of the Crimea, crowned with a halo of martial glory, marched in the procession to Olympia, wearing witli pride the many medals and decorations that tell the tale of their heroic sufferings for the national honour. The total number of the survivors of the Crimea was seventy-five, including some forty men who belonged to the Light Brigade, among them Major Berryman, who rode in the'Balaclava Charge as troop sergeant-major of the 17th Lancers, and won the Victoria Cross for remaining on the field of battle at the risk of his life, to succour a wounded comrade. ‘ Cannons to right of them ; cannons to left of them ; volleyed and thundered !’ but it was a cannonade of r inging cheers that sheared the love of heroism that still linger?in the heart of an Englishman. The occasion of this interesting historic gathering was a benefit entertainment on their behalf, generously given by the Olympian Club, who are now running Barnum’s late arena so successfully as a delightful skating rink. There was a big crowd present, and no doubt the result will be that some timely aid will be given to those of the subscribers who, despite their heroic endurance in the face of fearful odds on the field of battle, have not been able to withstand the resistless march of misfortune and penury. •