Colonel Frederick Burnaby 1842-85

There cannot be many more colourful and controversial characters in the 1870's and 80's than Colonel Frederick Augustus Burnaby. He is not very well known now though his portrait by Tissot is in the National Portrait Gallery and there are numerous memorials in England. Educated at Bedford School. Harrow, Oswestry and Dresden he joined the Royal Horseguards in 1859. There he found life frustrating with no active service, but there was 5 months leave per year and he frequently used this time to develop other interests. He took to aeronautics and later became the first person to cross the Channel by balloon, and undertook a 3000 mile trip to cross Russia and in midwinter too. He wrote a book about this called Ride to Khiva describing the journey over the Steppes, a best seller that is still in print. He also traveled to the Soudan to catch up with the mythical General Gordon at Khartoum.He also was a war correspondent for the Times and he went to Spain to observe the Carlists in the Third Carlist war. He also journeyed across Turkey, a 2000 mile trip, to consider the likelihood of a Russian/Turkish war and the threat that a war would pose to British interests in the that area and India. He was an intense Russo -phobe and at one time, unofficially, fought with Turkey against Russia. He also wrote another book called On Horseback through Asia-Minor, which sold well and is still in print.He spoke 7 languages and was considered to be the strongest soldier in the Army, being 6ft 4in and weighing 17 stones. He was utterly fearless and wanted to be in the dangerous places. His hopes of seeing action in the 1882 Egyptian campaigned were dashed, but he later went out there unofficially and fought in the Suakin campaign and took part in the battles of El Teb, where he was seriously wounded. He was also a participant in the Birmingham elections as an effective campaigner and moderniser of the Tories. By this time he had a great public following, mainly positive!In 1884/85 the was the Mahdi uprising in Soudan and Egypt and Gordon was trapped in Khartoum. Unofficially Burnaby joined a relief expedition. It was his last adventure, and he died in hand to hand fighting at Abou Klea. His death rocked the nation.A marble memorial was erected in his honour in Holy Trinity Church, Windsor by the Prince of Wales, and fellow officers. He was 42.