This material graciously had been shared with the Victorian Web by the Green Howards. Thanks are due to the Green Howards Regimental Museum, Richmond, North Yorkshire and to Mr. Kenneth Usherwood, the living relative of Charles Usherwood. Added by Marjie Bloy, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, National University of Singapore.
On the 26th March 1854 the Regiment was augmented to 1500 strong and recruiting went on vigorously. Among the number we took as recruits was a Pole, named Soloman, who at the Battle of Alma was slightly wounded, and roared like a dying bull. He however did some good for he fell close to the Russian General whom we took prisoner, and would have thought him no more than a Private he wearing uniform similar to the men, had it not been for the brave Soloman who spoke Russian. Soloman afterwards went back to England and chose not to leave it again on such dangerous excursions as he was discharged shortly afterwards.
War having broken out a detachment on 2 April 1854 consisting of 1 Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants and 55 Rank and File embarked at Charlton Pier, Woolwich for Turkey on board the Tonning sailing ship. Another detachment on the 7 April 1854, Friday, embarked at the same place on board the Emperor, Steam Vessel, for Turkey consisting of 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns, 5 Sergeants and 115 Rank & File, and on the 15 April 1854, 1 Captain, 1 Sub. S Serjts, 1 Drummer and 56 Rank & File sailed from Portsmouth with the Euxine for same destination; also two days afterwards viz: 17 April another detachment went off in the Medway steamship from Liverpool for Turkey, whose numbers were 1 Subaltern, 2 Sergeants and 45 Rank & File. But it was not until the 20th of April 1854 that the Head Quarters of the Regiment embarked and which they did at Woolwich Dockyard being carried from thence by a steamer to theVictoria steam vessel lying off Blackwall the Band of the Royal Artillery being present and playing complimentary airs.
The strength of the Head Quarters consisted of 1150 Rank & File beside Officers etc. the several companies being Grenadiers Nos.3, 5, 6 and Light. A few soldiers' wives were taken with us.
On the 23 April 1854 the ship steamed down the Thames, wind blowing fresh, the day being Sunday.
Next day Monday the 24th passed Lands End at noon. Wind gentle.
25 April, Weather fine, but during the night stormy, - day cold, passed few ships.
26 April, Morning beautiful, sea heavy during the day. Wind blowing hard.
27 April, Stormy morning - evening calm. Wind against us - land birds seen
28 April, Land seen - weather dull, sea calm, evening hot
29th April, Saturday. Coast of Africa seen, sea calm.
30th April, Sunday. Had divine service in the morning - passed Gibraltar at 8 am, sea calm. Wind against us.
1 May, Breeze favourable, weather sultry, sea calm. Thunder and lightning in the night and by some means or other, coals caught fire but put out immediately - a good lot of gunpowder on board.
2 May, Rain in the morning, latter part of day fine
3 May, Sea calm
4 May - Thursday - sailed in the Grand Harbour of Malta and attempted sail in the evening but were prevented by the chain of a buoy getting entangled with the screw.
5th May Sailed from Malta in the morning and took in tow No 14 troopship - sea calm, day hot
6 May Morning fine, and a good breeze
7 May, Sunday - fine breeze, 12 knots an hour passed between Greece and Cerego and had a squall.
8 May, Passed through the Archepelago, island being picturesque. Sea calm, wind unfavourable
9 May, Spoke the Army & Navy Steamship near the Dardenelles, entered and anchored in the harbour of Gallipoli. Sailed out in the evening. The Duke of Cambridge passed here, and during the time a Royal Salute was fired from the Men of War at anchor; French encampment seen.
10 May 1854, Wednesday, Anchored before Constantinople. We saw the City early in the morning which had a splendid appearance from the variegated coloured houses and tall mosques.
Last modified 22 May 2002