The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:45 am Post subject: Sir Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde

Lord Clyde
Location: George Square
Sculptor: John Henry Foley in 1868
Foundry: Elkington & Co., Birmingham

The famous Victorian soldier, Sir Colin Campbell, later Lord Clyde. He won fame in the Crimea and India and it is in the uniform of the Commander in Chief of India in 1857-58 that Foley or the subscribers have chosen to show him.

In my opinion he also has a passing resemblance to another famous Glaswegian – Billy Connolly!

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:59 am Post subject:

Born Colin M'Liver in Glasgow in 1792 his uncle Colonel John Campbell helped him obtain an education and a commission in the 9th Foot during the Napoleonic wars and he adopted his uncle’s name in thanks.

His first battle was Vimiera in 1809 and he was also at Corunna. (He now stands next to his former commander at Corunna - Sir John Moore in George Square) and fought through other Peninsular battles being wounded twice. In 1814 he was sent to Nova Scotia with the 60th Rifles.

He had various postings around the Empire in the next thirty years and by 1842 he had purchased the colonelcy of the 98th Foot and commanded it during the First Opium War. He was then busy in India for the next few years being wounded again twice in the Sikh War. He was promoted to Brigadier General, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1849, and specially named in the thanks of Parliament.

In 1853 he retuned to the UK on half pay only to leave again for the Crimea in 1854 as a Major General in command of the newly formed Highland Brigade. (Comprising 42nd, 79th, 93rd Highlanders)

It was in the Crimea that the action he is most remembered for happened, his defence of Balaklava using the 93rd Highlanders. Commonly known now as ‘The Thin Red Line’

He ended the war as a Lieutenant General after commanding 1st Division. He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Bath, and was elected honorary D.C.L. of Oxford.

When the Indian Mutiny broke out in May 1857 he was immediately offered the role of Commander-in-Chief of India and as General Campbell arrived there in August 1857.

His force relieved the first relievers of Lucknow and continued to fight in Oudh until 1858. Campbell stayed on as CinC India until 1861.

When he returned to Britain he was made a Field Marshall, made 1st Baron Clyde of Clydesdale, received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament and got a pension of £2000 a year.

After many years service he retired in ill health in 1862 and died shortly afterwards in 1863. As one of the greatest of Victoria’s Generals he was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:04 am Post subject:

There is another statue of him in London by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm Bart., R.A. , It is in Waterloo Place and was unveiled in 1882.
This website http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/boehm/12.html allows the use of its image if credited. The Photograph was taken by George P. Landow in July 2005.

Campbell is also commemorated by the small town of Clyde in New Zealand which was named after him in 1865.

Adam