CASUALTIES AT THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA - CRIMEAN WAR - 1854

Whilst searching for information on a collateral ancestor of my wife, one Veterinary Surgeon 1st Class Hicks Withers, who served at the Alma with the Royal Artillery, I obtained details from The Times newspaper of all casualties to officers and men of Guards, Artillery and Line Regiments. I hope that the lists may prove useful to those seeking military ancestors.
These are shown on the next 19 pages. Please note that these are scanned images and therefore cannot be searched using my site search engine nor by using the “Find” button of your browser. I am afraid it is necessary to read through the lists in full !!

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA

This was the first pitched battle of the Crimean War and was fought on 20 September 1854. The Russian army of 30,000 under Prince Menshikoff was engaged by 30,000 French under Marshal St.Arnaud, 25,000 British under Lord Raglan and a small Turkish force.
The Allies were heading for Sebastapol but the Russians were drawn up on and behind the hills across the River Alma. The Allied plan was for the British and some French to advance against the Russians whilst most of the French and the Turks climbed the hills on the seaward side and made a surprise attack on the flank of the Russians.
The British moved forward in line, riflemen in front, guns and cavalry on the exposed flank. The French advanced in column preceded by chasseurs.
The British Fusilier and Light Divisions suffered many casualties from the Russian guns, but continued the advance until the Russians bore down on them, when they were ordered to retire, but in the confusion the Fusiliers crashed into the advancing Scots Fusilier Guards causing disorder. The Light Division now joined by the Highlanders continued to advance, as did the French, and eventually the Russians withdrew.
British casualties totalled around 3000 killed or wounded, the French around 1400 and the Russians around 6000.

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