Major Thomas Egerton and a sentry, 77th (The East Middlesex) Regiment, Portsmouth, 1849 (photograph of...

Major (later Colonel) Thomas Graham Egerton and a sentry of the 77th (The East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot, on the King’s Bastion, Portsmouth, 1849. Over-painted photograph after Daniel Cunliffe, 1849. Egerton was killed on the night of 19 April 1855 leading an attack against the defences of Sevastopol. Lord Raglan described his capture of the Russian rifle pits, known from then on as ‘Egerton’s Pit’, as a ‘brilliant achievement’, which was ‘dearly bought by the sacrifice of Colonel Egerton, who was one of the best officers in the army, and looked up to by all’. The sentry is reputed to be Private Alexander Wright (1826-1858), Egerton’s soldier servant, who was later awarded the Victoria Cross: 'for conspicuous bravery through the whole Crimean War. Highly distinguished on the night of 22 March, 1855, in repelling a sortie. Highly distinguished at the taking of the Rifle Pits on the night of 19 April, 1855; remarked for the great encouragement he gave the men while holding the Pits under a terrible fire. He was wounded. Highly distinguished on 30 Aug. 1855.'