Crimean War Captured Russian Commandants Chamber Candle Stick
Crimean War Captured Russian Commandants Chamber Candle Stick.
The holder has been inscribed on the inner rim and a later inscription on the underside. The handle has an inscription of Balaklava 1854 which sadly is barely readable, due to the continuous usage of the item. The interesting thing is the main inscription on the inner rim, which reads "Taken from the house of a Russian Commandant at Balaklava September 1854", "Used by CCS throughout The Crimean Campaign. Now after some research the only thing relating to CCS is Casualty Clearing Station, which was only officially named this in the 1900's. This was basically a Military field Hospital behind the lines. Now this is when things get really interesting. Medical conditions were appalling and disease was a major killer of injured soldiers, so a transport of British trained nurses were sent to the Crimea to help which included Florence Nightingale "The Lady of the Lamp". It's just amazing that this battered piece of brass may have been in the presence of such an iconic figure.
The second part of this story continues 100 plus years later as this chamber candlestick was presented to the Officers of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoons by Sir Gerard Templer on Balaclava day 1956.