Candelabrum, 1856 (c)

Made by John S Hunt, hallmarked London 1856-57.

This silver candelabrum is from the mess plate of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers). Decorated with a relief scene of the 88th storming the Redan at Sevastopol (1854-1855), it was purchased with money left in the will of Major Norton. It is inscribed, 'Bequeathed to the officers of the Connaught Rangers by Edward Norton late Major of the Regiment who died of cholera in camp before Sebastopol on the 19th of May 1855'.

Cholera was prevalent among the troops in the Crimea. Colonel Reynell Pack of the 7th (Royal Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) wrote of the terrible loss of life from the disease:

'men that had passed through the bullets of the enemy unharmed were suddenly cut off or smitten by this fell disease. Amongst those most lamented was Major Norton of the 88th Regiment...He had been the life and soul of the division races, loving the sport solely for its own sake, and his all but sudden death was much felt, casting gloom throughout the division'.