The following three items came from the family of Lord Fitzroy Somerset. A FINE AND INTERESTING B

The following three items came from the family of Lord Fitzroy Somerset. A FINE AND INTERESTING BRASS MOUNTED GENTLEMAN'S DRESSING ATTIRE CASE, mid-19th century, with 'Lord Fitzroy Somerset' in gold-block letters on the lid and manufactured by Sarnsby & Co., Birmingham, with bright purple velvet-lined interior containing two trays each with a variety of compartments to house a fob or pocket watch, rings, collar studs, cufflinks, comb and bushes, razor etc.; together with an exotic bamboo walking cane with a silver band with Birmingham hallmarks for ‘1896’, engraved 'Lord Fitzroy Somerset' and topped with a carved ivory faceted pommel as well as a woven black silk wrist strap (this item must have belonged to the R.H. George Fitzroy Henry Somerset, 3rd Baron Raglan - 1857-1921); and a 19th century Campaign Trunk made of pine, leather-covered and with brass studded ornamentation over the domed lid and with two brass folding carrying-handles at each end, 24in. long x 13in.wide x 12in. tall, paper-lined interior and with an iron lock (some wear throughout). Footnote: It is believed that the above items were sold at public auction in the early 1930s. Fitzroy James Henry Somerset (1788-1855), 1st Baron Raglan, is perhaps best remembered as being the rather ineffective but ultimately successful commander of the British forces in the Crimea. His military career began during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1807 he first served on the staff of Sir Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, and accompanied him to Portugal and spent the Peninsular War as his aide-de-camp and military secretary. He distinguished himself in a number of actions and rose to the rank of brevet-major, and in the short peace of 1814-15 he married Wellington’s niece. He was wounded at Waterloo and had his right arm amputated. During the following years of peace he led a distinguished civil and diplomatic career, the title of the Baron of Raglan being created for him by Queen Victoria in 1852. In 1854 he was promoted to a full general and given the fateful command in the Crimea. He and his staff were blamed for the terrible conditions the troops suffered during the incredibly harsh winter campaign that year. Despite several tactical errors on his part the eventual allied victories at Balaklava and Inkerman resulted in him being made a Field Marshal. The winter and strains of command had taken a heavy toll on him and he died of dysentery in the summer of 1855. His second son, Richard Henry Fitzroy Somerset (1817-1884) became the 2nd Baron Raglan on his death (his first son Arthur William Fitzroy Somerset dying in 1845 of wounds received at the battle of Ferozeshah). He in turn was succeeded by George Fitzroy Henry Somerset, 3rd Baron Raglan (1857-1921).