THE PENSIONS OF CRIMEAN WAR VETERANS WHITE (Sir George Stuart, 1835-1912, Field Marshal, Winner of the Victoria Cross, Commander in Chief in India and Defender of Ladysmith)

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Algernon TUDOR-CRAIG (1873-1943, Army Officer, Heraldist and Author of books on Art History) saying he believes that Craig has heard from "Tatham Hughes how the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital stand with regard to the cases of Thos Sullivan & Thos Paul. Thos Sullivan was allowed to commute his entire pension of 1/- a day, in 1894 for the sum of £175-8-7 and consequently we can do nothing further for him. He remains a useful example of the necessity of being most particular in allowing pensioners to commute their pensions - this case has resulted in the stigma to the service of a Veteran with Crimean Turkish Long Service and Good Conduct Medals being in the Work house altho' he has a good character. Thos Paul will almost certainly get 1/- a day campaign pension - as his 'felony' will be forgiven him, 18 years having elapsed since he committed it. He has lost 7½ a day for 18 years, or in other words he has, in addition to other punishment, suffered a fine of over £200 ..", 2 sides 4to., Royal Hospital, Chelsea headed paper, 6th November

White was stationed at Peshawar during the Indian Mutiny and then fought at the Battle of Charasiab in October 1879 and at the Battle of Kandahar in September 1880 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. For his bravery during these two battles, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He went on to command a brigade during the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1886 and became commander of Quetta District in 1889 in which role he led operations in the Zhob Valley and in Balochistan. He was commander of the forces in Natal at the opening of the Second Boer War and fought at the Battle of Elandslaagte in October 1899. He commanded the garrison at the Siege of Ladysmith: although instructed by General Sir Redvers Buller to surrender the garrison he responded "I hold Ladysmith for the Queen" and held out for another four months before being relieved in February 1900. He was one of the most decorated men in the British Army. He was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 17 June 1905 until his death there on 24 June 1912.

Item Date:  1908

Stock No:  39955