'General Georg [sic] Cathcart', 1855 (c)

Chromolithograph, artist unknown, published in Germany, 1855 (c).

Major-General George Cathcart (1794-1854) had been a surprise choice to succeed Sir Harry Smith as governor and commander-in-chief at the Cape in 1851 as he had previously enjoyed little public profile. He acquitted himself well, however, was knighted and appointed, pending his return home, the Army's adjutant-general. Once back in England, he discovered that he had been given command of the 4th Division of the Army of the East; he received moreover a dormant commission which awarded him command of the entire expeditionary force in the event of an accident befalling Lord Raglan. He was killed at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854.