Burnley at the 1868 general election, but was narrowly beaten by the Liberal candidate. Later life Scarlett died at his Bank Hall estate in Burnley, Lancashire, in December 1871, aged 72. He is buried at Church of St John the Divine, Holme Chapel, Cliviger, near Burnley. An estimated 60,000 people lined the streets of the Lancashire town for his funeral procession. Character While lacking direct military experience at the outbreak of the Crimean War, Brigadier Scarlett selected his aides-de-camp from able officers who had seen active service in India, and followed their advice. This was in marked contrast to other generals such as Cardigan, who for reasons of social snobbery looked down on "Indian officers". Described as being brave, modest and sensible, Scarlett won popularity amongst the Heavy Brigade. An officer of the Light Brigade of Cavalry commented "Good kind old fellow that he is, they are all very fond of him and will follow him anywhere". Memorials A memorial to Scarlett was installed in the Royal Garrison Church at Aldershot. It includes a marble bust of Scarlett flanked by two full-size marble cavalry troopers of his former regiments, the 18th Hussars and 5th Dragoon Guards, wearing VCs, four-bar Crimean War medals and Long Service and Good Conduct medals. The brewery tap at Burnley's Moorhouse's Brewery is named in his honour. In fiction Scarlett, appears as a character in Flashman at the Charge by George MacDonald Fraser, which includes a fictionalised version of the Charge of the Heavy Brigade. He is portrayed as an inexperienced military commander, yet none-the-less charismatic and effective. References Citations Bibliography External links |- 1799 births 1871 deaths People educated at Eton College Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies British Army generals 5th Dragoon Guards officers Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath British Army personnel of the Crimean War UK MPs 1837–1841 Younger sons of barons People from Burnley