The Charge of the Light Brigade (1854) at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War remains one of the most infamous events in military history.
It may come as a surprise to some people to learn that the fabled bugle that sounded the charge was not only made in Dublin but was sounded by a Dubliner.
The bugle was made at J.McNeill’s on Capel Street. McNeill’s was a celebrated music shop that started off operating from 148 Capel Street in 1834. Six years later, the business moved to number 137 before settling in a couple of doors down at number 140 in 1842. It traded from this spot for 162 years before relocating to Kilrush Co. Clare in 2004. (The premises is now a pub named McNeills)
From the 'Official Catalogue: Dublin International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures 1865'
The man believed to have sounded the charge was Dubliner William ‘Billy’ Brittain of the 17th Lancers, Orderly Bugler to Lord Cardigan, the commander of the Light Brigade. Though it is agreed that Billy sounded the “walk”, “trot” and “gallop”, it should be noted that there has been ongoing debate whether the final order of “charge” was actually sounded. Brittain was mortally wounded during the charge and died, still clutching the bugle, in Florence Nightingale’s Hospital in Scutari, Istanbul a few months later.
Brittain's Bugle
The battered bugle remained in possession of Brittain’s family until 1905 when it sold to a publican, James Baker, in Newscastle to be displayed in his pub, The Percy Arms. In 1964, it turned up for action at Sotheby’s in London and fetched £1600. The buyers were Ed Sullivan, the American TV showman and Laurence Harvey, the Lithuanian born English actor.
After repairs and restoration, the pair presented the bugle to the Queen’s Royal Lancers – formed from the original 17th Lancers – to be placed on display at their regimental museum in Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire where it remains to this day.
Alexanders Toy Soldiers are selling a miniature, hand painted figurine of William 'Billy' Brittain for £39.99
References:
– Dutton, Roy. Forgotten Heroes: The Charge of the Light Brigade. Wirral, 2007.
– McNeills Music Shop, Facebook page
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
140 Capel Street is now McNeills bar. I had a couple of pints there before Christmas. Posters in the bar said it did trad music but haven’t been back since. Good to see the name being kept up and nice now to have read a bit about the history of the place.
the wellington monument in the phoenix park is decorated by figures made from old cannon (melted down) from the crimean war
bitzy
Hiya,
I’ve just stumbled across this blog by googling Billy Brittain.
Poor Billy was an ancestor of mine. He was my great, great uncle.
His bugle was brought back from the Crimea by his brother Frederick and as you say was kept in the family until sold to the publican in Newcastle. It hung behind the bar of the Percy Arms for about 20 years. Somewhere in my files I have a photo of the bugle being handed over to Mr. Baker.
The Percy Arms is still a popular pub in downtown Newcastle.
Billy apparently was the best musician in the regiment and was very popular. He was only 24 years old when he died. He actually died from infected bedsores and not from his terrible wounds! So much for the nursing skills of Florence Nightingale!
Did you know that 60% of the British Army at that time were Irishmen?
Just to let you know, McNiells music shop has reopened on Capel Street above the pub of the same name.
Just stumbled across this page after searching Billy he was also my ancestor and my grandad)(Alfred brittain) talks to me about this and I would like to find out more des if you could get in contact with me I you seam like you know quite a lot about Billy and i would be interested in finding out more information on the battle of balaclava and the crime an war. Cheers
Email me curtis.brittain@hotmail.co.uk
[…] To read more on the fascinating history of this music store (and pub!), head on over to the Come Here To Me site, which is a wealth of information when it comes to Dublin history and culture. Apparently a […]
[…] To read more on the fascinating history of this music store (and pub!), head on over to the Come Here To Me site, which is a wealth of information when it comes to Dublin history and culture. Apparently a […]