Major-General James Scarlett, 1855

Stipple engraving by Francis Grant after F Bromley, published by S W Fores, 1858.

Major-General The Honourable (later General Sir) James Yorke Scarlett (1799-1871) was first commissioned in 1818. Having served with the 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Dragoon Guards since 1830 and commanded them since 1840, by 1854 he was on the point of retiring when he was given command of the Army of the East's Brigade of Heavy Cavalry in the Crimea. At the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 he led his 800 men of the Heavy Brigade against 3,000 Russian cavalry and forced them to withdraw. In 1855 he succeeded Lord Lucan in command of the Cavalry Division.