Local history: Lord Lucan feted on return to Mayo despite 1854 Crimean blunder

By Tom Gillespie

THE Third Earl of Lucan, George Bingham, partly responsible for ordering the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade against the Russians at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854, was yet feted when he returned to Castlebar the following year.

The brigade was not completely destroyed, but did suffer terribly, with 118 men killed, 127 wounded, and about 60 taken prisoner.

On Saturday morning, April 7, 1855, Bingham arrived at the Lawn House in Castlebar. This being the Noble Lord’s first appearance in Mayo since he left this country for the seat of war in the Crimea, a general feeling immediately sprung up amongst the inhabitants to testify, in a tangible manner, their admiration and respect for the character and conduct of the Earl of Lucan during the dreadful ordeal which he endured on the field of battle, and give him that reception which he so well merited.

So read a detailed report in The Telegraph or Connaught Ranger of Wednesday, April 11, 1855.

Accordingly, on Monday evening, all persons, without any distinction of sect or creed, commenced active preparations of paying a public tribute of respect to his lordship.

In all parts of Castlebar people were busily employed in availing themselves of every means within their reach to prepare for the evening’s rejoicing - each person seemed to vie with neighbours but one feeling pervaded all - to make the reception worthy of his lordship’s well-eared laurels - in fact to have a public demonstration.

We have said the manifestation was without distinction.

In truth, that party differing most in political feeling from his lordship seemed the most eager to evince their respect for his character as a soldier, and thus as far as possible to give the lie direct to the aspersions sought to be cast on the noble lord by the Government bullies, in whose hands, but for wholesome public opinion, few men would be safe; and this kind and generous feeling (apart from political opinions) on the part of the people of Castlebar seemed to be fully appreciated by his lordship.

In all parts of the town bonfires were lit up, and immediately on the close of the evening every window was prepared with its candles, which at night-fall were lit up in the most tasteful manner, surrounded by ornaments and festooned with evergreens and choice flowers, and other decorations.

From end to end of the Main Street every window, every square of glass, afforded its illumination; and, altogether, the spectacle presented was really beautiful and grand.

Several transparencies, bearing the Lucan arms, with appropriate mottoes and devices illustrative of the heroes of Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman, were interspersed, adding to the beauty and grandeur of the illuminations.

Around the Green, in Spencer Street, Castle Street - in short, the whole town - the same scene presented itself; and upon no former occasion did we witness more cordiality, more unanimity or a greater concentration of public feeling.

The streets were crowded with persons of all classes, high and low, young and old; and the gay and cheerful hearts of all seemed, as it were, instinctively to join in the general ovations, as the people gave vent to their gratification by their remarks on this particular window or that, and by loud and frequent cheering.

At a late hour in the evening the greatest excitement arose amongst the promenaders in the Main Street by the cry, ‘Lord Lucan is coming’, and presently his lordship, preceeded by the Amateur Band, appeared, accompanied by several gentlemen of the town. Then it was that his lordship met with the joyous and hearty welcome which Irishmen only can give.

The people, excited to the highest enthusiasm, cheered over and over again, carrying the conviction to Lord Lucan’s mind, that here, in his native County of Mayo, with all its faults, he met with a reception generous as it was worthy, and alike creditable to himself and the worthy people of Castlebar.

After walking the Main Street, his lordship proceeded round the Mall, and retired to the Lawn House amid the heartiest cheers that ever greeted a public man.

Lord Lucan, on retiring, expressed his thanks to the people the town, and hoped that good feeling would always continue.

It was at a late hour at night that the streets became thinned, the glare of light had vanish, and our good old town resumed its quiet appearance.

On yesterday (Tuesday) a deputation awaited his lordship at the Lawn House, for the purpose of presenting him with an address, signed by 173 prominent Castlebar residents, to which his lordship, Lord Lucan, replied:

Gentlemen: I thank you for your too flattering address. I appreciate the more fully the sympathy you so kindly express for the great injustice to which I have been the victim, from the knowledge that your sympathy is not undeserved, as my conscience tells me that during the time that I had command of the cavalry of our country in the field, my conduct was faultless, and their character and honour did not suffer.

In the severe trials I have had to undergo, I have been supported by the conviction that my fellow countrymen, however much they may have been deceived by the misrepresentations made to my disadvantage, would, in the end, pass on honest and fair judgement - and I have not been disappointed.

I do not pretend to more than having shared in all the difficulties of this memorable Campaign of the Crimea, and to having discharged my duty - and not without success, whether in action or in camp - to the best of my power and ability.

It will ever be to me a source of pride to have belonged to an Army, which by its gallantry on every occasion, has gained for itself the admiration of those excellent soldiers, the French, and also the whole of Europe.

Why the results have not been such as to meet the fair expectations of the country, you, gentlemen, will agree with me in considering that this is neither the time nor the place for me to express an opinion.

Lord Lucan received the gentlemen of the deputation in the most kind and affable manner.

FOOTNOTE: Bingham, known as ‘The Exterminator’ has the unwanted distinction of bering one of three men, along with Captain Louis Nolan and Lord Raglan, responsible for the fateful order during the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854 that led to the Light Brigade commander, The Earl of Cardigan, leading the Charge of the Light Brigade.