Library Notes: Holy Trinity Church, Maidstone; Captain Nolan and His Memorial

A new acquisition to the KAS Library is a loose leaf folder containing the results so far of the researches of Dr. Douglas J. Austin concerning the conversion of the Holy Trinity Church, Maidstone (consecrated 1828), into the Maidstone Trinity Centre (1989), and more particularly into the possible whereabouts or fate of the Memorial Plaque to Capt. Lewis Edward Nolan, of the 15th or King’s Hussars, which was one of the plaques on the walls of the Church.

The Folder brings together an interesting set of copies of photographs and existing studies of the state of the disused and vandalised Church before it began its transformation into the Trinity Centre, and includes details of the conversion plan, and lists of the monuments, restored windows and burial vaults within the Church before conversion. Dr. Austin’s main interest, however, centres on the Memorial which bears the inscription ...

In memory of Lewis Edward Nolan Captain in the 15th King’s Hussars and ADC to Major General Airey Quarter Master General to the forces in the Crimea. He fell at the Head of the Light Cavalry Brigade in the Charge of Balaclava on the 25 October 1854 Aged 35.

Captain Nolan carried Raglan’s notoriously ambiguous 4th Order to Lord Lucan, Commander of the Cavalry Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava, and according to some, gave grossly misleading directions to that Lieutenant General. The result was the Charge of the Light Brigade, which advanced steadily into a killing-ground of artillery, musket and rifle fire and opposing cavalry. The consequent losses in men and horses inflicted upon the Light Brigade are a striking force for the rest of the war. The blame for this catastrophe has been variously apportioned between Raglan, Nolan and Lucan, and the whole matter is fiercely controversial to this day. Nolan, however, remained in suffer greatly affected regard by his fellow officers - including General Richard Airey who wrote on the death of his protégé - that they set up the Memorial to him in Holy Trinity.

Alas, Nolan’s and his memorial plaque disappeared sometime during the period of transformation from Church to Trinity Centre, and Dr. Austin’s assiduous searches failed to find any trace of it. Dr. Austin would be delighted to hear from readers of this article any information of its present location or of its fate; contact can be made through me.

Dr. Frank Panton
Hon Librarian KAS.