Cavalry officer's cloak worn by Captain Louis Edward Nolan, 15th (The King's) Light Dragoons (Hussars), 1854 (c)

Captain Nolan (1820-1854) lent his cloak to 'The Times' journalist William Howard Russell who was still in possession of it when Nolan was killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade on 25 October 1854. Russell bought the cloak at the auction of Nolan's effects and in later years donated it to the Royal United Service Institution.

Nolan was raised in Italy from the age of 11 and served in the Austrian cavalry before gaining a commission in the 15th (The King's Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars) in 1839. He served with the regiment in India for much of the 1840s before returning to England and writing two well received books, 'The Training of Cavalry and Remount Horses: A New System', and 'Cavalry: Its History and Tactics'. These brought him to the attention of the military authorities and in 1854 he was given a staff appointment in the Army of the East. His Crimean campaign journal, and the testimony of his friend William Howard Russell, 'The Times' journalist, make plain the frustration that he felt at the timid handling of the cavalry by Lord Lucan.

Nolan has long been held at least partly responsible for sending the Light Brigade charging in the wrong direction at the Battle of Balaklava. Whether Nolan's dashing out in front of Lord Cardigan at the beginning of the Charge was done in an attempt to redirect the Brigade will forever remain unknown: he was killed by the first Russian shot fired.

Donated by The Royal United Service Institution.