The dispatch satchel of Major Thomas Webb-Edge

 Thomas Webb - Edge was part of Nottinghamshire's landed gentry, living at Strelley Hall to the West of the County. Not too far away from both Watnall and Wollaton.

With the reorganisation of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry in 1817, the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry was divided into four Troops including two new Troops, Watnall and Wollaton. The commanding officer of the new Wollaton troop was Captain Henry Willoughby, 25-8-17, with Thomas Webb Edge as its Lieutenant. The Coronet being W.Pepper. The Wollaton Troop was given the title, "The Wollaton Yeomanry Cavalry". The bill to equip the troop came to £824, which was to be met by Lord Middleton, the owner of Wollaton Hall, along with the officers incharge including a £48 payment by Thomas Webb-Edge.

The Wollaton was called out in June 1818 when disorder occurred in Nottingham, the Watnall Troop arriving the following day. As the threat dissipated, the Wollaton Troop were dismissed on June 25th, and the Watnall Troop on June 27th. The pay sheet for the Wollaton troop for this occasion included the three Officers, which included Thomas Webb-Edge.

December 1819 saw political unrest in Nottingham. Rumours were rife about potential rioting in the City. In response to potential outbreaks of trouble, troops were gathered in the City including on the 13th, both the Watnall and Holme Troops arriving, and on the 14th, the Wollaton troop arriving in Nottingham. On this occasion, the Wollaton Troop was under the command of Lieutenant Webb-Edge who had mustered 64 troops. The threat on this occasion came to nothing and the troops were dispersed, but it led to the forming of a Nottingham based Troop for any similar events in the future.

Lieutenant Webb-Edge appeared on the Officers lists for 1820, and again for 1825, still as Lieutenant.

In August 1826 the Regiment was reorganised, including a division which resulted in the Northern part of the County forming the Sherwood Rangers. and for the Southern half, the title of "Southern Regiment of Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry" With this reorganisation Captain Willougby was promoted to the Regiments Lieutenant - Colonel, and gazetted as such. This gave space for a new Commanding Officer of the Troop, and Thomas Webb-Edge was promoted to Captain of Wollaton Troop. In the Officers lists for 1828, Captain Webb-Edge is shown as Wollaton Troops commander.

In May 1829, the Regiment was assembled in Nottingham for the annual duty. A strange set of coincidental occurrences occurred for this event relating to the Officers. Several Officers were absent for this event. Captain Webb-Edge himself was listed as "Affected with lameness but was present at the review in a gig".

1831 saw the Reform Bill Riots. In October, the Regiment was on duty to assist in suppressing the riots. During this, late on Sunday 9th October, Major Rolleston, who was also the Chairman of the County Magistrates, sent an express message to Captain Webb-Edge (possibly in this very messenger's satchel below). Major Rolleston instructed Captain Webb-Edge to assemble the Wollaton Troop in Wollaton Park at nine the next morning, and at the same time, appraise the other four troops of the Regiment. On Sunday night, the Reformer, Mr Wilkins addressed the crowds and asked them to disperse. In precaution, Major Rolleston had the Wollaton Troop under arms at Wollaton Hall in readiness, and not to be dispersed until dismissed by the Town Clerk. After rioting and skirmishes, the mob on Tuesday 11th headed for Wollaton Hall. The Wollaton Yeomanry under Captain Webb-Edge were ready and stationed near the entrance. The mob attacked the gate and forced it open. The Wollaton Troop charged at the mob, and seventeen prisoners were taken. The mob then pulled back, and were dealt with by the 15th Hussars.

On the Officers list for 1833, Captain Webb-Edge is still shown in command of Wollaton Troop. On the 26th of November, 1835, Major Thomas Moore was gazetted as the Regiments commanding Officer at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Webb-Edge was promoted to the rank of Regimental Major, the command of Wollaton Troop passing onto the newly promoted Captain Sherwin.

On the 24th of July 1837, Major Webb-Edge entertained his former Troop, the Wollaton Troop, for dinner, presumably at Strelley Hall. The bill for this event shows plates for 80 people at the cost of around £8, and malt liquors and other spirits at around £27, around £32 in with all in total. Either drink at the time was a very expensive commodity, or Thomas Webb-Edge's guests were very thirsty !

Thomas Edge-Webb passed away on the 20th of August 1844.

The images, the Webb Family Crest. a picture of Strelley Hall, used today for meetings, events, etc which has thankfully saved it in well preserved condition.

A lockable leather messenger's satchel with brass name plaque engraved, "For Thos Webb Edge Esqr. Strelley Hall near Nottingham", dating from around 1830.

From Facebook

"Another link to Watnall was Col. Rolleston's future son-in-law and Waterloo veteran Col. Skinner Hancox who was with the Wollaton Troop in 1831 defending Wollaton Hall as you stated. Webb-Edge was perhaps under Col. Hancox's command? "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".

"The attack on Wollaton Hall was instigated because the 7th Baron Middleton was an opponent of the Reform Bill and a staunch Tory. After the Yeomanry had put to flight the mob who had broken down the gates they proceeded with their prisoners towards Nottingham, meeting up with the Hussars near Lenton. As they passed the Sir John Borlace Warren a hostile group of citizens showered the troops with stones from behind the wall of Chimley’s Close. The Yeomanry tried to deflect the attack by firing their pistols into the air but the skirmish continued until a trooper shot the lock off the gate and sections of both troops rode into the Close and dispersed the mob. Afterwards the prisoners were herded into town but on Bridlesmith Gate again were stoned by the mob. At this time one of Thackwells officers discharged his pistol at the crowd. The bullet hit Waterloo veteran Thomas Auckland and passed through his shoulder before striking another man close by."