I've been in the Army now for twenty years. How could I forget my first experience of war though. That cold October in 1854. It was freezing in Balaclava. I remember it like it was yesterday.
We'd done nothing yet to help. Not one of the Light Brigade had fought. We stood in formation. Lord Cardigan at the head. I was fortunate enough to be on the rear line, away from the action. Lord Lucan and the Heavy Brigade were right behind me. I knew being at the back meant I could run but deep down, deep down I wanted to go into confrontation.
I could just make out Lord Raglem on the hill above. A horseman had been sent down to Cardigan. It was Captain Nolan. He joined our ranks and we began.
We started off. Very slowly at first. It was a tight formation and the only noise was the rhythmic sound of the horses. We moved to a trot and down into what would become the worst battle I ever fought in.
We'd just reached the slope into the valley when out of no-where Captain Nolan moved to the head of the Brigade and faced us. Suddenly, Captain Nolan fell to the ground. I gasped as he went down. He could have been one of the greats. Cannons had started to fire on us.
The horses soon became shocked and Lord Cardigan ordered the Canter. More and more men fell. I saw people around me fall as I changed formation again and again. We were dropping like flies. Horses ran off in all directions with riders left to walk down the valley. I'd survived so far but the worst was still to come.
We got past the cannons and saw the Russians in our sights. We charged and began an awesome battle. Swords flashed in mid-air as horse and hero fell. I lost my horse and we became so few we had to retreat.
I ran and ran, shrapnel hitting my legs as I traveled. I spotted a horse and so I stopped it and got on. I felt a lot safer. Lord Cardigan rode past me and I rode by him. I felt so proud, even though I could have died. We made it out but saw all the dead around us. It was horrific.
We'd made it out. Just. How could we have failed. All those men, my comrades, my friends had died to no avail. I couldn't bear the thought that the bodies on the ground could have included me. I thought I'd been lucky but knew that families would be distraught. I found out that your first war could be your last. I thought being in the army was fun but all that changed.
