Few today, especially in the States, have heard of him but Colonel Frederick Burnaby was legendary in Victorian England as a hero. And no wonder, standing at an athletic 6.4", this son of a clergyman was famous for being able to vault over billiard tables, bend pokers with his bare hands and much more besides.
Joining the Horseguards in 1859 at the age of 17, Burnaby fast secured a reputation for strength, intellect, good humor and a restless spirit. This drove him to take lengthy periods of leave in adventurous pursuits and that's exactly what they were.
He worked as a war correspondent for the Times in the Carlist civil war in Spain, went political (intel officer) in Egypt, the Balkans and most famously Central Asia, riding in the latter case some 900 miles on a pony to Khiva. Read the book, if you haven't already, Road to Khiva.
Taking time out from the Army, our adventurous Life Guard went into politics as an old skool Tory in league with Winston Churchill's father, Lord Randolph Churchill. They set up the Primrose League and Burnaby ran unsuccessfully for office in Birmingham.
Undaunted, he rejoined the Colours to serve against the Mahdist uprising in the Sudan where he initially distinguished himself for using a shotgun against the Moslem fanatics, and was mentioned in Dispatches for his bravery, returning home to yet more heroic accolade. But the Sudan wasn't a done thing and Burnaby returned to the fight as part of General Gordon's rescue mission, only to meet his end at the battle of Abu Klea.
He was stabbed through the neck by a Mohammedan spear whilst rescuing wounded men from outside the Square. He died as he lived, a hero, and the soldiers under his command wept at his death. He spoke seven languages, was the first man to cross the English Channel by balloon, authored several books (read Kiva) and was loved by the men he bravely served.
On hearing of his death, Queen Victoria wrote in her diary of "poor, strange Burnaby." Yes readers, there were giants in those days.
Honi Soit,
LSP
