King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Lancaster

HOME
Museum & Collections
Sales
Donations
Events
Contact Us

REGIMENTAL HISTORY
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
First World War
Second World War
Actions & Movements
Battle Honours

FAMILY HISTORY
Resources
Further Reading

PHOTO GALLERY
ENQUIRIES
FURTHER READING
LINKS


Captain James Paton, 4th King's Own, at Chatham, 1862
Accession Number: KO2590/394


Soldiers of the Regiment

Major James Paton

Letters from the Crimean War

 

Camp near Sevastopol. 9th May, 1856

My dearest Ellen,

Your letter of the 24th Ult. came yesterday, for which my best thanks.

I can easily imagine you all very anxious to know the destination of the K.C.R.; well, it is generally believed to be Home, for this reason, that the names of the Regts going to Gib: Corfu, Malta, &c have appeared in orders, and ours is not amongst them. I think that if we return home, the Regt. is almost due to be Quartered in Ireland, for it had 5˝ years of English Service.

I would sooner have gone to Canada & then got six months leave. The Regts. destined for service there have all gone, the 9th about a week ago. I saw Willie a couple of days before he sailed; in high spirits, & sure of getting leave to be in time for the 12th – About that date I hope myself to be not very far from Crailing.

I do not write so often now, there being little to tell.

Yesterday morning about 11 a.m. W. Cadell & Mr. Laird walked into Camp, they came by the same steamer that brought the Mail. I took ‘em over the Karabelnaia, Redan, Malakhoff &c. in the afternoon. They have the great advantage of fine weather for this trip. At present they are living with me; one sleeps in my Tent, t’other in the Mess Tent. Unfortunately for them I am on duty today, & cannot therefore accompany them in their wanderings, but I sent them over to John Dunlop of the 88th who will guide them I hope. Mr. Laird brought a letter of introduction from John Cadell, he has been a month travelling in Algeria & met Willie at Marseilles.

I am sorry that the James’ are not going abroad, it would have been such a nice trip to Genoa.

The Colonel has received seven French military medals for distribution amongst the non-Commissioned Officers & men; it is not an easy matter to pick out that number from among so many. We hear nothing of any medal or decoration to be given to the English Officers. General Trollope is ordered home & Colonel Adams 28th assumes Command of the remains of the 3rd Division. No one ever thought it would be the first to be broken up. Sir Colin Campbell is going home too; his Aide de Camp Sir D. Baird has gone away sick.

With best love to Father, Mother & Willie.
Ever dear Ellen Your very affect. brother,
J.Paton
 

Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time.  Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions.  An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.

© 2012 Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum