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| The British Light Cavalry at Waterloo |
In today's "Tale from Watnall Hall" we do a deep dive into the life of dashing hero of Waterloo Captain (soon to be Major) Skinner Hancox of the 15th. King's Hussars and future son-in-law of Watnall Hall's Colonel Rolleston, marrying his daughter Caroline at Greasley church. We can also thank him for saving Wollaton Hall from being burnt to the ground by a gang of torch-bearing rioters...
We get a rare first hand account of Hancox and his time at Waterloo from the diary of Miss Frances Rolleston, Colonel Rolleston's cousin..."Colonel Hancox is a fine military man, and likes to be led to talk a little of the campaigns; last night Caroline and I read Scott and Byron about Waterloo, with the Colonel's pocket-map before us, stained with the mud of Waterloo, which he had in his pocket and studied on the field, and which bears sufficient marks of the haste and carelessness of the battle-day. He is just such a character as Scott would have loved to draw, so gentlemanly, so soldierly in mind and manners".
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Hancox's Life Story and links to Watnall
- He was christened with the unusual name Skinner on Sept 29th 1785 in Holborn, London.
- He joins the military at an early age and in 1809 aged 24 is promoted to Captain in the prestigious 15th. King's Hussars.
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| 1825 - Officer of the 15th. King's Hussars light dragoon cavalry |
- He is soon posted north towards his future home county of Nottinghamshire to suppress Luddite activity... "the regiment was employed in suppressing the outrageous proceedings of a number of persons who were combined for the purpose of destroying machinery in the manufacturing districts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Nottinghamshire, and who were called Luddites."
"Major Griffith was killed; Lieut.-Colonel Dalrymple and Captain Thackwell were wounded, and the command devolved on Captain Hancox. The officers and soldiers of the FIFTEENTH, like all their comrades in this memorable battle, evinced the most heroic bravery, and continued the fight until the French army was driven from the field."
- Hancox's cavalry unit at Waterloo was under the overall command of Henry William Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, who was famously injured, losing a leg, while at Wellington’s side. In phlegmatic British officer style he reportedly said calmly to Wellington, "By God Sir, I seem to have lost my leg." Paget's aide de camp was a young Colonel Wildman later owner of Newstead Abbey and friend to Miss Frances Rolleston, Colonel Rolleston's cousin and tutor at Bog End School, Watnall.
- in 1823 Hancox is promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Dragoon Guards
- in 1830 he retires and is described as "Skinner Hancox, late a Lieutenant Colonel in H.M. 67th Regiment of Foot, now of Wollaton, Notts., Esq." which helps explain his next encounter with mob of Nottingham rioters...
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| 1831 Reform Bill riots - Nottingham Castle burns as Hancox guards Wollaton Hall to save it from a similar fate |
- in 1831 the now retired Hancox gallantly mans the barricades at Wollaton Hall battling the rioting townsfolk of Nottingham. The previous night, after Goose Fair, the anti-Reform Bill rioters had looted Nottingham Castle and set it ablaze. The mob had reassembled the next day and were intent on more arson. After setting fire to a Beeston silk mill they were repulsed at Wollaton Hall's gates by Hancox with several pieces of cannon and a loyal "body of colliers." The mob then headed towards Lenton where they were met by Hancox's soon-to-be father-in-law Colonel Rolleston of Watnall Hall...
"A troop of Hussars, with Colonel Rolleston, met the mob on the Nottingham side of Lenton, and the Riot Act was again read. Near the Sir John Borlase Warren, the rioters ensconced themselves behind a wall in Chimley's close, which served them as a breast-work; and from thence they threw stones and bricks at the Yeomanry as they approached, and several of them were much cut and bruised."
- 1833 Gets married aged 48 to Caroline Jane Rolleston who is 24, the eldest daughter of Col. Lancelot Rolleston of Watnall Hall. They wed on a summer's day, 22 August 1833 at Greasley St Mary's.
- 1835 and the newlyweds seem to be happily ensconced at Woodborough Hall, Notts where they stay until at least 1842. We get a rare first hand account of Hancox and his time at Waterloo from the diary of Miss Frances Rolleston, Colonel Rolleston's visiting cousin...
"Colonel Hancox is a fine military man, and likes to be led to talk a little of the campaigns; last night Caroline and I read Scott and Byron about Waterloo, with the Colonel's pocket-map before us, stained with the mud of Waterloo, which he had in his pocket and studied on the field, and which bears sufficient marks of the haste and carelessness of the battle-day. He is just such a character as Scott would have loved to draw, so gentlemanly, so soldierly in mind and manners".
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| Married home of the Hancox's (with a slightly later model of carriage parked outside) |
- his death in 1843 is a little mysterious. The London Morning Herald reports "Died on Friday the 27th [Jan 1843] aged 55, Skinner Hancox, Esq., late lieut.-colonel 7th dragoon guards." Death district was Oswestry, Shropshire. This seems odd as he is also listed as a Chelsea Pensioner in 1845 and his age is incorrect.
- in 1829 his wife Caroline remarries and nothing more is heard of the gallant Lt-Col Hancox. His marriage to Colonel Rolleston's daughter was a rare success for the Colonel. Scandal clouded Rolleston's other daughter's weddings ending in financial and reputational disasters.
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Notes and Sources
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| Officer of Kings 15th Light Dragoons 1825 |
Source is mostly his regiment's military history. See below. We also look at his Waterloo connection to Thomas Auckland the 1831 "rioter" who was accidentally shot on the streets of Nottingham.
Born Sept 1785 - of Bedford St, Holborn - from his christening record, son of Herbert and Elizabeth
although his 1843 obit says "aged 55" below.
1804 - 15th Dragoon Guards - Skinner Hancox to be Cornet, without purchase. Edinburgh Gazette July 3rd 1804 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/1150/page/193/data.pdf
1809 - Made Capt. in 15th - Skinner Hancox 11 May 1809.
1811 - During the following winter, and the summer of 1812, the regiment was employed in suppressing the outrageous proceedings of a number of persons who were combined for the purpose of destroying machinery in the manufacturing districts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Nottinghamshire, and who were called "Luddites."
1812 - The contest in the Peninsula had, in the meantime, been carried on with varied success, and during the winter, six troops of the FIFTEEΝΤΗ Hussars were withdrawn from the north of England to proceed on foreign service. They embarked at Portsmouth in the middle of January, 1813, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Grant", and landed at Lisbon in the early part of February. Names of the officers of the FIFTEENTH Hussars, who embarked for Portugal, in January, 1813:-
Colonel Colquhoun Grant; Major Edwin Griffith; Captains Honourable W. E. Cochrane, Joseph Thackwell, Skinner Hancox, Philip Wodehouse, Thomas Dundas, William Booth; Lieutenants J. Buckley, Lewis During, John Carr, Edward Barrett, Ralph Mansfield, Isaac Sherwood, Honourable John Finch, Honourable Richard P. Arden, William Bellairs; Adjutant Charles Jones; Surgeon John Griffith; Assistant Surgeon Samuel Jeyes. Six troops of ninety men and horses each.
1813 - Capt Hancox embarks with the 15th for Portugal and the Peninsular War. The regiment were ordered to support Sir Arthur Wellesley’s Army on the Iberian Peninsula and landed at Lisbon in February 1813. It took part in the Battle of Morales in June 1813 and the Battle of Vitoria (Hancox is wounded) later in the month. It then pursued the French Army into France and supported the infantry at the Battle of Orthez in February 1814 and at the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814. On the road to St Gemier in 1814 16th March... "The regiment had one horse killed; six men and four horses wounded; one horse missing. Lieut.-General Sir Stapleton Cotton expressed in orders, "his best thanks to Lieut. Colonel Dalrymple, Captain Hancox, and the officers and "men of that part of the FIFTEENTH Hussars "which was engaged with the enemy, for their "gallant and soldier-like conduct.""
The regiment returned to England in July 1814. The regiment was recalled for the Hundred Days and landed at Ostend in May 1815: it took part in the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 and returned to England in May 1816.
1815 Waterloo Roll - #408 Hancox, Skinner 15th Hussars (The King's), Captain, Final rank - Lieutenant Colonel, Honours for Waterloo - Brevet Major
"1815 Capt Hancox at Waterloo [aged c.27] - 15th Hussars - Arriving at the range of gentle heights in front of Waterloo, which was destined to be the theatre of one of the most important contests recorded in the history of the world, the regiment bivouacked in a rye-field exposed to torrents of rain.
On the morning of the memorable 18th of June, the regiment took its station in the first line, at the angle in the rear of Hugomont, from which the right squadron, and part of another troop, were detached to the right of the Nivelles road, and the Thirteenth Light Dragoons were added to the brigade.
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| The British Light Cavalry at Waterloo |
While the battle raged along the line with incredible fury, the regiment suffered some loss from the fire of the enemy's artillery; and in the afternoon the brigade advanced to charge ten squadrons of Lancers posted beyond the Nivelles road; but as the FIFTEENTH were moving to their right to cross a ravine, a large body of Cuirassiers and other Cavalry were seen carrying all before them on the open ground between Hugomont and La Haye Sainte, and their Lancers were shouting in triumph. The brigade instantly moved towards its former post, and the Thirteenth and FIFTEENTH charged and drove back the Cuirassiers, with the most distinguished gallantry, for some distance. While pursuing its steel-clad adversaries, the regiment became exposed to superior numbers on both flanks, and was obliged to rally behind the line of Infantry. From this period, until the French army was overpowered and driven from the field, the regiment made various charges upon the enemy's Infantry and Cavalry of every description. At one moment it was cutting down musketeers; at the next it was engaged with Lancers; and, when these were driven back, it encountered Cuirassiers.
Major Griffith was killed; Lieut.-Colonel Dalrymple and Captain Thackwell were wounded, and the command devolved on Captain Hancox. The officers and soldiers of the FIFTEENTH, like all their comrades in this memorable battle, evinced the most heroic bravery, and continued the fight until the French army was driven from the field; about seven o'clock they halted; and the Prussians urged the further pursuit.
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| French armoured Cuirassiers at Waterloo. "The noise of the combat between the cuirassiers and dragoons he compared to a number of tinkers "a-mending their pots and kettles."" |
In this battle the power of Buonaparte was destroyed, and the fate of Europe decided. The British troops received the thanks of Parliament; the expressions of the approbation of the Prince Regent; and the commendations of the Duke of Wellington. Their conduct was admired and applauded by the nations of Europe, and grate- fully acknowledged by their own country. Every officer and man received a silver medal, and the privilege of reckoning two years service for that day; and the word "WATERLOO" was added to the honorary distinctions borne by the regiment. Lieut.-Colonel Dalrymple was further honoured with the dignity of Companion of the Bath; Captain Thackwell was promoted Major of the regiment, in succession to Major Griffith; and Captain Hancox was rewarded with the rank of Major in the army." From Cannon, Richard. Historical record of the Fifteenth, or the King's Regiment of Light Dragoons, Hussars containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1759, and of its subsequent services to 1841. London : J.W. Parker, 1841. (Historical records of the British Army) https://archive.org/details/cihm_48491/page/n15/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater
Another account of Hancox at Waterloo comes from a book on Peterloo "Peterloo: The Story of the Manchester Massacre" cowritten by the film director Mike Leigh "Earlier that morning, the 5th Brigade of Cavalry, including the 15th The King’s Regiment of Light Dragoons (Hussars), had formed up less than half a mile to the rear of Hougoumont, tasked with protecting the Allied army’s right wing, while one and a half squadrons were watching the valley leading from Braine-L’Alleud.¹² The entire cavalry was under the command of Henry William Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, who was famously injured, losing a leg, while at Wellington’s side. Major-General Colquhoun Grant was at the head of the 5th Brigade, with the 15th Hussars under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leighton Cathcart Dalrymple and Major Edwin Griffiths, ‘officers’, according to the regiment’s medical officer, William Gibney, ‘who had distinguished themselves at Vittoria [sic], Tarbes and Toulouse, and had for commanders of troops, officers second to none in the service’, including Captains Joseph Thackwell, Skinner Hancox and Lieutenant John Whiteford.¹³ Despite being considered, most notably amongst themselves, as the elite of the British cavalry, the 15th had had a few rough nights in advance of the battle. The day before, according to Captain Thackwell, as the rain thundered down, his regiment was ‘bivouacked in a field of rye on the right of the village of Mont St Jean’, which they endured as best they could, despite having ‘No rations or supplies of any description’.¹⁴"
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| Paget at Waterloo |
Telegraph obituary 7th Marquis of Anglesey - The marquisate had been created in 1815 for George Paget’s great-great-grandfather, William Paget, Lord Uxbridge, an outstanding cavalry commander, in recognition of the crucial part he played in the victory at Waterloo, in which he famously lost a leg. According to tradition, Uxbridge exclaimed to the Duke of Wellington: “By God, Sir! I’ve lost my leg,” to which the Duke is supposed to have replied: “By God Sir! So you have.”
After the battle, he had the leg coffined and buried under a commemorative plaque, and was fitted with the first articulated wooden leg ever made. Later he distinguished himself as an able and liberal administrator. He served two terms as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, showing impartiality to Catholics and Protestants and inaugurating and fostering a comprehensive education scheme in a country which had hitherto possessed virtually no schools at all. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Paget,_1st_Marquess_of_Anglesey#cite_note-tele-21
About a month after the battle Walter Scott toured the battlefield and the towns and hospitals around... "While walking about the street, we met a private of the 95th, or rifle corps, who had been servant to Major M. The regiment carries its ammunition in a sort of leather purse, which is strapped round the waist. This he took off, and showed us the marks of two shots which fortunately had struck him on this strong belt. The noise of the combat between the cuirassiers and dragoons he compared to a number of tinkers "a-mending their pots and kettles.""
1823 - Commanded the regt. at the close of Waterloo day. Bt. maj. for Waterloo. Appointed Lt.-col. of 7th Dgn. Gds. 18th December, 1823. Commanded the latter regt. until June, 1830. M., 23rd Aug., 1843[? must be earlier] , Caroline, eldest dau. of Lancelot Rolleston, of Watnall Hall. Resided at Woodborough Hall, co. Notts. D. before 1849. Source - THE WATERLOO ROLL CALL. WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES AND ANECDOTES. BY CHARLES DALTON, F.R.G.S., https://www.gutenberg.org/files/51143/51143-h/51143-h.htm#f13.4
WAR-OFFICE, June 11,1830 - 7th Dragoon Guards—Major Alexander Kennedy Clark to be Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase, vice Hancox, who retires.
"On the 11th of June Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Kennedy Clark was appointed to the lieut.- colonelcy of the regiment, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Skinner Hancox, who retired from the
service." - Historical record of the Seventh, or, Princess Royal's Regiment of Dragoon Guards [microform]
June 1831 - Hancox is mentioned in deeds of the Earl of Dudley "Skinner Hancox, late a Lieutenant Colonel in H.M. 67th Regiment of Foot, now of Wollaton, Notts., Esq. (brother and heir of Rev. George Hancox, decd and nephew of Edward Hancox surviving trustee of James Turvey)"
1831 Reform Bill Riots - "After burning down a silk mill at Beeston some rioters attacked Wollaton Hall which was defended by Col. Rolleston's future son-in-law and Waterloo veteran Col. Hancox "Colonel Hancox had garrisoned the Hall with a body of [loyal] colliers, and several pieces of cannon, and the Wollaton Yeomanry were stationed near the entrance. The mob, however, attacked the gate, which was forced open; the Yeomanry immediately charged, and sixteen or seventeen prisoners were taken. The mob then retreated, and the Yeomanry soon afterwards escorted the prisoners to the Barracks, and delivered them to the keeping of the Hussars". " Was Hancox living at the hall at this time?]
Soon afterwards, Col Rolleston's Watnall troop of Yeomanry were set upon by a mob and stoned. One rioter/bystander called Thomas Auckland was shot. Ironically he had served at Waterloo like Hancox albeit in different regiments. Hancox was in the 15th (or the KING’S) REGIMENT OF LIGHT
DRAGOONS (HUSSARS) at Waterloo, later in 67th Regiment of Foot, Auckland was 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) Regiment of Foot.
"Auckland was taken to the General Hospital, and after a long confine- ment, recovered. He had served many years in the 33rd Foot, and was severely wounded at Waterloo."
In the 18th century the 33rd were led and named by Lady Maud Rolleston's grandfather (1730 – Dalzell’s Regiment). https://www.dwr.org.uk/the_regiment/brief-history/
"A troop of Hussars, with Colonel Rolleston, met the mob on the Nottingham side of Lenton, and the Riot Act was again read. Near the Sir John Borlase Warren, the rioters ensconced themselves behind a wall in Chimley's close, which served them as a breast-work; and from thence they threw stones and bricks at the Yeomanry as they approached, and several of them were much cut and bruised. The Yeomanry fired their pistols, but without effect, as the mob, as soon as they had thrown, covered themselves behind the wall. This skirmish occupied some time, and soon afterwards the Hussars guarded the prisoners into the town. Whilst crossing the Market-place, the throng pressed upon them, and turning into the Poultry, much abusive language was used, and stones were thrown. The officer who brought up the rear was greatly insulted, and struck by a stone, and finding the mob press upon him, he deliberately returned his sword to the scabbord, drew his pistol from the holster, and fired in the direction of High-street. The ball struck a man named Thomas Auckland, in the chest, passed out at the shoulder, and then grazed the forehead of Joshua Hopkinson, of Arnold. The prisoners were lodged in the County Gaol, and the consequences of the firing produced a very sensible effect on the conduct of the mob. " Source - Nottingham Date Book.
1833 - Gets married [aged 48] to Caroline Jane Rolleston b.1809 (aged 24, eldest daughter of Col Lancelot Rolleston of Watnall Hall). He is named as Lieut-Col J Hancox Esq. Marriage 22 August 1833 at Greasley St Marys.
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| Pelisse as worn by the 15th Hussars |
1842 Poll records for Nottingham show Skinner Hancox still at Woodborough Hall. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2410/records/3377292
1843 "Died on Friday the 27th ult., aged 55, Skinner Hancox, Esq., late lieut.-colonel 7th dragoon guards."
Death district was Oswestry, Shropshire
Published: Wednesday 01 February 1843
Newspaper: Morning Herald (London)
County: London, England and the Limerick local studies newspaper archive below.
Which seems odd as he is listed as a Chelsea Pensioner in 1845
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| Limerick Local Studies newspaper archive obituaries 1843 |
https://limericklocalstudies.ie/wp-content/uploads/obits/1843/02%2004%2043.pdf
1849 his wife Caroline remarried.
What did he wear? - Pelisse (above), 15th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars), 1820 (c)
Both officers and men of hussar regiments wore the pelisse, or over jacket, which reflected the Hungarian origins of the hussar's style of dress. To enable the pelisse to be worn over the left shoulder, there was a yellow cord loop fitted at the collar.
The 15th was raised as a light dragoon regiment in 1759 and saw service in Europe during the Seven Years War (1756-1763) and the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802). After a period of home service the regiment was reconstituted as a hussar regiment in 1807. It served in the Peninsular War (1808-1814) and fought at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. When stationed back in England the unit was involved in a number of operations to suppress civil unrest, including the notorious 'Peterloo Massacre' in Manchester in 1819.
https://www.woodborough-hall.co.uk/our-story/
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