W.Bro. Lieutenant-General Edward Cooper Hodge,
Worshipful Master St. Patrick's Lodge No. 295, 1835.
Edward Cooper Hodge was born on the 19th April, 1810 at Weymouth, Dorset.
He was the only son of Major Edward Hodge, 7th Hussars, who was killed at the head of his squadron in a charge against Napoleon's Polish Lancers at Genappe, the day before the battle of Waterloo. Hearing of the distraught widow's fruitless search for her husband's body, the Prince Regent, as a gesture, made young Hodge a Page of Honour, and the dress he wore at the Prince's Coronation as King George IV in 1820 is still preserved in the family. Having been educated at Eton, another royal favour followed on the 3rd August, 1826 when the Duke of York (Commander-in-Chief) arranged for the boy to be commissioned Cornet without purchase in the 13th Light Dragoons - thus saving his mother a fee of £840. At that date the 13th were stationed in India, and a little string-pulling secured Hodge's transfer to the 4th Dragoon Guards on the 30th December, 1826. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1828, and it was |
W.Bro. Lieutenant-General Edward Cooper Hodge,
Worshipful Master St. Patrick's Lodge No. 295, 1835. |
whilst the 4th were stationed in Ireland from 1832 to 1835, that in 1834 he was promoted Captain. The 4th at this time were used to control the usual rioting and disturbances, occasioned by elections, which kept individual Troops and detachments constantly on the march in aid of the Civil Power. Records show that in a single month the Regiment provided fifty-one detachments "to assist the civil power in making tithe collections, quelling riots at fairs, dispersing illegal meetings or suppressing election riots".
St. Patrick's Lodge continued working within the Regiment until May 1835 when, for reasons not recorded, the Warrant was sent in to be laid up in the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and "labours" came, temporarily, to an end. At this date the Master was Captain Edward Hodge.
On the 2nd October, 1848, upon the retirement of Colonel James Charles Chatterson he was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel, having paid £3,000 for his promotion(i), after having served with the 4th Dragoon Guards for twenty-two years.
St. Patrick's Lodge continued working within the Regiment until May 1835 when, for reasons not recorded, the Warrant was sent in to be laid up in the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and "labours" came, temporarily, to an end. At this date the Master was Captain Edward Hodge.
On the 2nd October, 1848, upon the retirement of Colonel James Charles Chatterson he was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel, having paid £3,000 for his promotion(i), after having served with the 4th Dragoon Guards for twenty-two years.
He was perhaps the most famous Commanding Offficer because he commanded the 4th throughout the Crimean War and led the regiment in the immortal "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" at Balaclava, on 25th October, 1854, which took place the morning of the "Charge of the Light Brigade". As you will see from Hodges own account below he was involved in both charges. He was a short man, nick-named 'Little Hodge' but was charismatic and fair in his dealings with the men.
The army suffered terribly in the Crimea even before hostilities began for the heavy cavalry. The 4th and 5th Dragoon Guards were at Varna for two months during which time cholera had so decimated the men that the two regiments were combined under Colonel Hodge's command. They found Little Hodge a great improvement on their own useless Commanding Officer. TSM Franks of the 5th Dragoon Guards wrote "Colonel Hodge was one of the most kindly and genial of men and he took every pains to show us that we had his sympathy." |
Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge, 1850.
This portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge was painted by F. Salabert in 1850, two years after he had assumed command of the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards. |
Charge of the Heavy Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava, 25th October, 1854.
The most appropriate way to set out the involvement of Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade and in the subsequent Charge of the Light Brigade is to use Hodges own words and those of the Earl of Cardigan, who actually led the charge of the Light Brigade. The following are extracts of speeches given by Hodge, at Leeds on Thursday, the 24th July, 1856 (where they received a heros welcome from 120,000 people) and Cardigan at Shefffield on Tuesday, the 29th July, 1856, at banquets given in honour of the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, after their return from the Crimea.
Thursday, the 24th July, 1856 at Leeds.
In reply to a toast from the Mayor of Leeds Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge replied as follows:-
"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of Leeds, I beg to thank you most sincerely for the enthusiastic manner in which you have been kind enough to receive the toast which has just been given; and I also trust that you will convey to the inhabitants of Leeds how sincerely grateful I and my brother officers feel for the manner in which we have been received in your town this day. (Applause.) No Roman triumph ever could have exceeded the scene we have this day witnessed. It came from a free people; and I did not see a single scowl upon the countenance of any one of the 120,000 persons assembled this day. (Hear, hear.) Everybody's heart seemed to greet us, and I thank them sincerely for it.
I wish, Gentlemen, that the task, the pleasing task, of responding to this toast had fallen on one who felt himself more able to perform it—(no, no)—and I feel before me that line of steel [the reporters] which it is most difficult to overcome, and I hope those gentlemen will be merciful tome. (Laughter and cheers.) Gentlemen, the Mayor has kindly mentioned the manner in which the heavy brigade conducted themselves at the battle of Balaklava, and I hope you will excuse me if I endeavour to set you right on one thing. You have given me credit for what I do not deserve; you have given me credit for leading the heavy brigade on that occasion—the credit is due to Sir James Scarlett. The letter which has been read by the Mayor refers to two regiments: those regiments Major Scarlett led into the very thickest of the Russian columns. Two other regiments were equally engaged, and I flatter myself that the services rendered that day by the 4th Dragoon Guards —(cheers)—were in no way inferior to those rendered by the Enniskillens and the Greys. It so happened that a space of at least 500 yards intervened between the column led by Sir Jas. Scarlett and the column led by myself. Immediately that Sir Jas. Scarlett saw a column of Russian Cavalry cross the ridge, he formed his two regiments into line, supported by the 5th Dragoon Guards, and charged into the middle of them, and no men or set of men could have behaved more gallantly. We were, as I told you, at a distance of 500 yards behind them. I saw that an advantage could be gained and took it. We charged at the right flank of the Russian column. That column contained, we calculated—and it has never been stated otherwise—at least 8500 men, whereas the whole amount of British Dragoons engaged on that day did not exceed 700 men. (Vehement cheering). Gentlemen, our charge had such an effect that the Russians fled and broke before us to a man, and it pleased Providence (and most thankful have I been for it) that our loss was but small on that occasion. The chief loss that we sustained was afterwards in supporting the noble charge of the light brigade, when that brigade was nearly annihilated. (Hear, hear.) We were called upon to support them, and were thus necessarily put under the fire of the Russian batteries; and there our chief loss was sustained. Nevertheless I cannot but return thanks to Providence that in the whole of that war the 4th Dragoon Guards did not lose a single officer."
Thursday, the 24th July, 1856 at Leeds.
In reply to a toast from the Mayor of Leeds Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge replied as follows:-
"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of Leeds, I beg to thank you most sincerely for the enthusiastic manner in which you have been kind enough to receive the toast which has just been given; and I also trust that you will convey to the inhabitants of Leeds how sincerely grateful I and my brother officers feel for the manner in which we have been received in your town this day. (Applause.) No Roman triumph ever could have exceeded the scene we have this day witnessed. It came from a free people; and I did not see a single scowl upon the countenance of any one of the 120,000 persons assembled this day. (Hear, hear.) Everybody's heart seemed to greet us, and I thank them sincerely for it.
I wish, Gentlemen, that the task, the pleasing task, of responding to this toast had fallen on one who felt himself more able to perform it—(no, no)—and I feel before me that line of steel [the reporters] which it is most difficult to overcome, and I hope those gentlemen will be merciful tome. (Laughter and cheers.) Gentlemen, the Mayor has kindly mentioned the manner in which the heavy brigade conducted themselves at the battle of Balaklava, and I hope you will excuse me if I endeavour to set you right on one thing. You have given me credit for what I do not deserve; you have given me credit for leading the heavy brigade on that occasion—the credit is due to Sir James Scarlett. The letter which has been read by the Mayor refers to two regiments: those regiments Major Scarlett led into the very thickest of the Russian columns. Two other regiments were equally engaged, and I flatter myself that the services rendered that day by the 4th Dragoon Guards —(cheers)—were in no way inferior to those rendered by the Enniskillens and the Greys. It so happened that a space of at least 500 yards intervened between the column led by Sir Jas. Scarlett and the column led by myself. Immediately that Sir Jas. Scarlett saw a column of Russian Cavalry cross the ridge, he formed his two regiments into line, supported by the 5th Dragoon Guards, and charged into the middle of them, and no men or set of men could have behaved more gallantly. We were, as I told you, at a distance of 500 yards behind them. I saw that an advantage could be gained and took it. We charged at the right flank of the Russian column. That column contained, we calculated—and it has never been stated otherwise—at least 8500 men, whereas the whole amount of British Dragoons engaged on that day did not exceed 700 men. (Vehement cheering). Gentlemen, our charge had such an effect that the Russians fled and broke before us to a man, and it pleased Providence (and most thankful have I been for it) that our loss was but small on that occasion. The chief loss that we sustained was afterwards in supporting the noble charge of the light brigade, when that brigade was nearly annihilated. (Hear, hear.) We were called upon to support them, and were thus necessarily put under the fire of the Russian batteries; and there our chief loss was sustained. Nevertheless I cannot but return thanks to Providence that in the whole of that war the 4th Dragoon Guards did not lose a single officer."
Lt.Col. Hodge is standing in the middle of the photograph in profile.
The photograph was taken by one of the first war photographers, Roger Fenton in 1855.
The photograph was taken by one of the first war photographers, Roger Fenton in 1855.
Tuesday, the 29th July, 1856 at Sheffield.
In reply to a toast in his honour, Lord Cardigan amongst other things replied (in regard to Lt.Col. Hodge and the 4th):-
"Gentlemen, I can say something from my own personal knowledge of the services of this regiment. Having been present on the 25th of October, 1854, I witnessed the attack of a large force of Russian cavalry on the heavy brigade. I saw, from the heights I occupied as commander of the light cavalry brigade. The Greys and Enniskillens as it were for a moment surrounded by the Russian cavalry, I believe the 4th Dragoon Guards were at that moment under the guidance and command of Colonel Hodge. (Loud cheers.) A most judicious and effective charge was made on the left flank of the Russian cavalry, which in conjunction in some degree with a simultaneous movement on the other flank by the 5th Dragoons Guards, led in a great measure to the discomfiture and total rout of the Russians. (Loud cheers.) I may say this, gentlemen, that your guests on the present occasion - your chief guests, the 4th Dragoon Guards, under the gallant command of Colonel Hodge, performed a most important duty on that occasion. Gentlemen, it was after this - later in the day - when it came to the turn of the light cavalry to attack. Some of the regiments of the heavy brigade were moved forward in the way of a demonstration and as a support. That support was not in any way effective, owing to the intensity of the flank fire of those batteries through which the light cavalry had to pass for the purpose of attacking the battery in front. It therefore happened that this regiment, the 4th Dragoon Guards, and other regiments of the heavy brigade, were greatly exposed for a very considerable time; they had a great many men wounded and some killed; they lost a great number of horses; and they had many gallant officers severely wounded...."
Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge commanded the Regiment throughout the Eastern Campaign. Apart from the "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" at Balaclava he was also on board H.M.S. Sans Pareil in the naval attack on Sebastopol on the 17th of October, 1854, and was present at the battle of Inkerman, the siege of Sebastopol, the night-attack on Russian outposts on the 19th of February, 1855, and the battle of Tchernaya on the 16th of August, 1855.
In August 1859 Colonel Edward Hodge retired from the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards on half-pay. Hodge, who had served with the Regiment for thirty-three years and commanded it for eleven, was evidently in high favour with the Commander-in-Chief, for on learning of his imminent retirement the Duke of Cambridge wrote “I would myself prefer your continuing at the head of your very fine regiment."
In January of 1863 he was promoted Major-General. He was made Colonel of the 18th Hussars in 1870, a position he held until January of 1874. In January 1874 the death of the Colonel of the 4th Dragoon Guards, General Sir James Chatterton Bt., GCB., KH., occurred. General Hodge took over as Colonel of his old Regiment on the 6th of January. Now Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Hodge KCB, he had devoted much of his retirement to welfare work for ex-servicemen, being concerned with the Corps of Commissionaires which had been founded in 1859 to provide employment for deserving old soldiers.
Regarded by all who knew him as a confirmed old bachelor, Hodge confounded everyone by taking a 31-year-old bride in his fifty-first year - and fathering a daughter when he was sixty-one. She died at the age of seven, but three sons had already been born. Bro. Hodge was promoted full General in 1877. The three sons all followed their father into the Services.
In August 1859 Colonel Edward Hodge retired from the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards on half-pay. Hodge, who had served with the Regiment for thirty-three years and commanded it for eleven, was evidently in high favour with the Commander-in-Chief, for on learning of his imminent retirement the Duke of Cambridge wrote “I would myself prefer your continuing at the head of your very fine regiment."
In January of 1863 he was promoted Major-General. He was made Colonel of the 18th Hussars in 1870, a position he held until January of 1874. In January 1874 the death of the Colonel of the 4th Dragoon Guards, General Sir James Chatterton Bt., GCB., KH., occurred. General Hodge took over as Colonel of his old Regiment on the 6th of January. Now Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Hodge KCB, he had devoted much of his retirement to welfare work for ex-servicemen, being concerned with the Corps of Commissionaires which had been founded in 1859 to provide employment for deserving old soldiers.
Regarded by all who knew him as a confirmed old bachelor, Hodge confounded everyone by taking a 31-year-old bride in his fifty-first year - and fathering a daughter when he was sixty-one. She died at the age of seven, but three sons had already been born. Bro. Hodge was promoted full General in 1877. The three sons all followed their father into the Services.
In January 1878 when the Warrant of Lodge No. 295 was resuscitated and the Warrant was reissued to the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, then at Newbridge, Bro Edward Hodge was, as you can see from above, the Colonel of the Regiment and the only surviving member of Lodge No. 295.
General Hodge received his GCB on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee in 1887 and died at his London residence, 26 Cornwall Gardens, on 10th December, 1894 in his eighty-fourth year. He was buried at Brompton Cemetery, London, and his obituary was published in the Times on the 12th of December, 1894.
General Hodge received his GCB on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee in 1887 and died at his London residence, 26 Cornwall Gardens, on 10th December, 1894 in his eighty-fourth year. He was buried at Brompton Cemetery, London, and his obituary was published in the Times on the 12th of December, 1894.
(i) This represented the regulation £1,600 for the step from Major to Lieutenant-Colonel, plus £1,400 "over-regulation", which went into Chatterton's pocket. As Hodge later noted, his services to his country as an officer had so far cost him £9,620 in purchase of rank.