Martin Clunes pays tribute to Welsh war horse Sir Briggs

It was part of the Battle of Balaclava when British light cavalry took on Russian forces, and is remembered in detail partly because of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s popular poem of the same name.

In it, the poet praised the bravery of the men as they rode into the “valley of death”.

Due to a miscommunication of orders, on 25 October 1854, the Light Brigade, which included the 17th Lancers led by Captain Morgan on Sir Briggs, was ordered to attack, and charged directly into Russian artillery fire.

Captain Morgan is quoted by the Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum, external describing the battle, as saying: “Our pace increased amidst the round shot and shell, whistling and cracking overhead.

“Horses and men dropped by scores every yard.”

Describing riding Sir Briggs during the charge, he added: “Digging my spurs in my horse’s sides he went at it as he has often gone at the big fences in Monmouthshire.”

Despite reaching Russian positions, the Light Brigade had to retreat, making their way back through the “Valley of Death” before reaching safety.

The British Army Museum described it as “one of Britain’s most spectacular military disasters”.