Fitzroy James Henry Somerset (1788 - 1855)

Born 30 Sep 1788 in Badminton, Gloucestershire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Emily Harriet (Wellesley) Somerset — married 6 Aug 1814 in St James Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 28 Jun 1855 at age 66 in Sevastopol, Crimea, Russian Empire

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ron Ragland [send private message]

Biography

Fitzroy Somerset is Notable.

Fitz Roy was born in 1788. He is the son of Henry Somerset and Elizabeth Boscawen.^[1]

He was born at Badminton House in Gloucestershire as the youngest son of Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort. This was the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort after the seat was moved from the Raglan castle; due to it's destruction during the civil war.

Fitz Roy Somerset was educated at Westminster School. He was commissioned as a cornet in the 4th Light Dragoons on the 16 Jun 1804. He was promoted to lieutenant on 01 Jun 1805. He became captain in the 43rd Regt. of Foot on 05 May 1808, shortly before his appointment as aide-de-camp to Sir Arthur Wellesley in Jul 1808. Somerset fought at the Second Battle of Porto in May 1809, the Battle of Talavera, Jul 1809, and the Battle of Bussaco (where he was wounded). He was stabbed 5 times in his left shoulder. It was at the Battle of Waterloo that he would lose his right arm; it was injured so badly that it required amputation, without anesthesia. He was hit by a musket ball. Upon amputation, he shouted, "Hey, bring my arm back. There's a ring my wife gave me on the finger!" (possibly the ring he had been given by his wife, supposedly taken from Tipu Sultan).

On 06 Aug 1814 he married Emily Harriet Wellesley-Pole, at St. James, Westminster, Middlesex, England. They had 5 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons.

During his military career he fought in many battles. He was recognized by Queen Victoria as "Baron Ragland" in honor of him commanding the troops during the Crimean War. His rank was, Field Marshal, Master-General of the British Troops. He has since received much recognition for his part in the Battle, known as "The Charge of the Light Brigade." It was a failed military action involving the British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, part of the Crimean War. Lord Raglan sent a written order for the Light Brigade to "follow the enemy and try to prevent the enemy from carrying away the guns", referring to some British artillery which were at risk. The order was then given orally instead of passing on the written order as requested by Lord Raglan. This miscommunication resulted in many deaths and needless injuries. Over time Alred, Lord Tennyson created a poem about this event, "The Charge of the Light Brigade" which emphasized the valor of the cavalry in bravely carrying out their orders, regardless of the inevitable outcome. Captain Louis Nolan who gave the verbal order died in the first minute of the assault.^[2]

The family seat of Somerset was Cefntilla Court, Llandenny in Monmouthshire, Wales. An inscription over the door reads, "This house with 238 acres of land was purchased by 1,623 of the friends, admirers, and comrades in arms of the late field Marshall, Lord Raglan GCB & presented by them to his sons and heirs forever in a lasting memorial of affectionate regard and respect."

The "Raglan Sleeve" is named after him. He wore a coat with this style of sleeve, as a result of the loss of his arm - in the "Battle of Waterloo."

He is also remembered in a Seaside Town in New Zealand, known as Raglan. There is a town in Victoria Australia, named Raglan. They also named a river there Fitz Roy River in his honor. There is a blue plaque outside of his house in Stanhope Gate, London, England that reads:

• Lord FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan, 1788-1855, Commander during Crimean War, Lived Here

Some Highly Important and Exceptionally Rare Group of Honorary Awards, Distinctions, and Medals to honor Field Marshal Lord FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788-18550, ADC to the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War and at Waterloo. He commanded the British Army as General in the Crimean War. These items were auctioned off at Christies:

• A field Marshal's Baton. Given to the 1st Baron Raglan, the base engraved, "From Her Majesty Alexandria Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to Field Marshal, Lord Raglan GCB 1855", maker's mark WN for William Neal, Hallmarks for 18 carat gold, London and 1854, the Baton surmounted by St. George, and the Dragon, similarly marked

• Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Military Division, Star, silver, gold and enamel, with original sash and riband, by Storr and Mortimer

• Army Gold Cross for the actions of Fuentes de Onor, Badajoz, Salamanca and Vittoria, with five clasps for Toulouse, Orthes, Nive, Nivell and Pyrenees (Lieut. Col. Lord FitzRoy Somerset) gold buckle to riband

• Small Army Gold Medal for Fuentes De Onor, with two clasps for Badajoz and Salamanca (Major Lord FitzRoy Somerset)

• Military General Service Medal, 1793-1814, five clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Talavera, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo (Lord FitzRoy Somerset)

• Waterloo Medal, 1815 (Lieut. Col. Lord FitzRoy J.H. Somerset, K.C.B., 1st G.)

• Crimea Medal, 1854-6, four clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Field Marshal Lord Raglan) engraved in large sans serif capital letters

There are many more, Lord Raglan, items auctioned off. For a complete lists go to "Christies."^[3]

FitzRoy Somerset passed away in 1855.^[4] He is buried in St. Michaels & All Angels Churchyard, Gloucestershire, England. He is buried in a sealed vault under the church floor. He died after suffering from dysentery and depression.

Sources

1. ↑ https://familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L7GG-5HW
2. ↑ Book, Titled, The Crimean War, by Orlando Figes, 2010
3. ↑ https://www.christies.com/en/lot-5797711
4. ↑ https://findagrave.com/memorial/66897058

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQJK-4NH : 22 May 2019), Fitzroy Somerset, Lord, St George Hanover Square, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

• "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGFR-LNQ : 9 November 2019), Fitz Roy Somerset, Saint George?S Hanover Square, Middlesex, England; citing Saint George?S Hanover Square, Middlesex, England, p. 34, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

• Wikipedia: FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan

• The Waterloo Roll Call by Charles Dalton: Lt=Col Lord FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Ft Guards