Britain's What's On Event Guide
Talk: The Battle of Chillianwala - Chelsea History Festival
In January 1849, in the Punjab (in modern-day Pakistan), forces of the British East India Company clashed with the army of the Sikh Empire in a fierce and bloody battle. The British public were shocked by the severe casualties inflicted on British soldiers, particularly those of the 24th Regiment of Foot, which lost half of its strength in dead and wounded. Both sides claimed victory, but British prestige was damaged.
At the time, the battle fired Victorian imaginations. One distinguished poet immortalised it in verse and, when two British generals were remarking on the disaster of the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ in Crimea in 1854, one remarked: ‘These sorts of things will happen in war. It is nothing to Chillianwala.’
Ian McLeod is a Friend of and Volunteer at the Royal Hospital, and a former career officer in the British Army. After 35 years, he retired in the rank of brigadier and subsequently worked in various conflict areas in stabilisation and humanitarian roles. His last post in the Army was the Defence Adviser to the British High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, which gave him the opportunity to visit many of the battlefields of the British era, Chillianwala being his ‘first choice’.
At the time, the battle fired Victorian imaginations. One distinguished poet immortalised it in verse and, when two British generals were remarking on the disaster of the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ in Crimea in 1854, one remarked: ‘These sorts of things will happen in war. It is nothing to Chillianwala.’
Ian McLeod is a Friend of and Volunteer at the Royal Hospital, and a former career officer in the British Army. After 35 years, he retired in the rank of brigadier and subsequently worked in various conflict areas in stabilisation and humanitarian roles. His last post in the Army was the Defence Adviser to the British High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, which gave him the opportunity to visit many of the battlefields of the British era, Chillianwala being his ‘first choice’.
Thursday 25 September
Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR
Thursday 25th SeptemberLocation: State Apartments (enter via London Gate)
Tickets: £12
Organised by
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Spread the word
Similar Current Events
The Great English Anthem - Chelsea History Festival
Wednesday 24 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road
Wednesday 24 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road
Exhibition: Lost & Found in Hong Kong - Chelsea History Festival
Wed 24 Sep to Sunday 28 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Wed 24 Sep to Sunday 28 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Living with Jane Austen - Chelsea History Festival
Friday 26 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Friday 26 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Twilight Tours at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Fri 31 Oct to Friday 28 November The Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Hospital Road Chelsea
Fri 31 Oct to Friday 28 November The Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Hospital Road Chelsea
Talk: Eagle Days - Chelsea History Festival
Thursday 25 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Thursday 25 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Tour: Royal Hospital Chelsea - Chelsea History Festival
Wed 24 Sep to Sunday 28 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Wed 24 Sep to Sunday 28 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Talk: Current Defence and Security Challenges for NATO - Chelsea Histo
Thursday 25 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Thursday 25 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Talk: The Dream Factory - Chelsea History Festival
Friday 26 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Friday 26 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Talk: An Accidental History of Tudor England -Chelsea History Festival
Friday 26 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London
Friday 26 September Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London