A rare Western Australian link to the Crimean War will be revealed in the next In the Wild West lecture at the Western Australian Museum – Albany on September 13 and 14.
‘Into the valley of death rode…Henry Dyson Naylor’, presented by WA Museum history curator Stephen Anstey, will share a WA man’s first-hand account of the Crimean War’s Charge of the Light Brigade, fought on the battle fields of Eastern Europe in 1854.
The story was discovered after a local family phoned the Museum to investigate rumours a sword used at the Charge by a relative was donated to the State collection in the early 1970s.
“At the time the sword was donated, documentation standards were not as good as they are today - the sword’s use and the story of its owner were never properly recorded, it’s quite possible the person donating it didn’t know the entire story either,” Mr Anstey said.
The family’s inquiry led Mr Anstey on a detective trail, piecing together the remarkable story of its owner Henry Dyson Naylor and his horrific account of the battle he was lucky to survive.
The story is a rare Western Australian link to the famous British cavalry charge against overwhelming Russian forces which left over 270 men killed or wounded.
“Researching items in the State’s vast history collection often unearths surprising secrets, and this was certainly no exception,” Mr Anstey said.
Entry to the lecture is by gold coin donation, with bookings essential online at www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest or by calling 9841 4844.
The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West is proudly presented by the WA Museum in partnership with Chevron Australia. The series showcases the work of Museum scientists, curators and associates in the areas of natural and social sciences.
LECTURE: ‘Into the valley of death rode… Henry Dyson Naylor’
WHEN: Thursday 13 September, 6pm (drinks and nibbles from 5:30pm)
Friday 14 September, 2pm
WHERE: Western Australian Museum – Albany
Residency Road, Albany
BOOKINGS 9841 4844
ESSENTIAL: www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest
COST: By gold coin donation
Niki Comparti
Western Australian Museum
6552 7805
Niki.Comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
