Governor's Lecture Series - "The Battle of Chillianwallah"
Governor's Lecture Series - "The Battle of Chillianwallah and a Tale of Two Obelisks by Ian McLeod"
Join us for a special talk entitled: The Battle of Chillianwallah and a Tale of Two Obelisks by Ian McLeod.
Date: 14th May 2025
Location: Soane Stable Yard, Royal Hospital Chelsea
Time: 18:30 (Duration 1 hour).
About the Event
In January 1849, in the Punjab in modern-day Pakistan, forces of the British East India Company clashed with the Sikh Empire in a fierce and bloody battle which shocked the British public due to the severe casualties inflicted on British soldiers, particularly those of Her Majesty’s 24th Regiment of Foot, which lost half of its strength in dead and wounded. Both sides claimed victory, but British prestige was damaged, and the British Commander was relieved of command. Although little known today, at the time, the battle fired Victorian imagination, a distinguished Victorian poet immortalised it in verse and five years after the battle, when two British generals were remarking on the disaster of the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ in the Crimean War, one remarked "These sort of things will happen in war. It is nothing to Chillianwala."
Ian McLeod will describe the events leading to the battle, the battle itself and the subsequent events. He will share personal experiences of the battlefield as it stands today and will tell of a unique link between the battle and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
About the Speaker
Ian is a Friend of and Volunteer at the Royal Hospital and a former career officer in the British Army. After 35 years, he retired in the rank of Brigadier and subsequently worked in various conflict areas in stabilisation and humanitarian roles. His last post in the Army was the Defence Adviser to the British High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan which gave him opportunity to visit many of the battlefields of the British era, Chillianwallah being his ‘first choice’. He has also worked as a battlefield tour guide and has a master’s degree in military history from the University of Buckingham, where his dissertation was on brigade command in the Victorian Army, including Chillianwallah as a case study.
Tickets: £15 - Each ticket includes a glass of wine.
Timings:
- The Soane Stable Yard shop and café will be open from 17:00-18:30.
- Drinks reception in Heidi Bakery from 18:00-18:30.
- Lecture begins 18:30
- Lecture Ends 19:30.
If you have any questions, or issues with your booking, please email tours@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk, stating your name, phone number and issue and we will get in contact with you.
Please note we cannot take bookings via telephone but if you wish to visit our site at the Soane Stable Yard and ask for the Duty Manager we will be able to assist with purchasing tickets via our shop till.
