The telescope of Major Thomas Webb-Edge.

 Of the finest quality, a compact eight draw telescope by P.Myers of Nottingham. Engraved with the name of its owner, "T.W.Edge, Esq're" with the date, "july 9th 1829". The telescope is under six inches when closed, extending to thirty inches. Contained in its leather case also bearing the name "T.W.EDGE". The case with a mounting strap to its body, ideal for attaching to leather saddle straps or similar, perfect compact size for a mounted Cavalry Officer. It is not known if the date engraved on the telescope refers to it being presented to him, but that is the most likely scenario. Possibly a gift from his troopers, or maybe fellow officers after having been made Commander of the Wollaton Troop in May of that year. 

 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. 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. It is very likely that Captain Webb-Edge has the telescope with him as part of his equipment during this event.
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.





Popular posts from this blog

RAF STATION WATNALL

Image
  It may come as a surprise to some just how much of Watnall was covered by the RAF station in the 1940's, and equally surprising how little of it remains today. From Trough Road to the end of Common Lane was taken over by the RAF. All that remains above ground today - as far as I know, and please correct me if I am wrong, are, the covered Stanton Air-raid shelter in Watnall Spinney, "the Hut" at the back of the Royal Oak, the entrance to the underground operations block in the grounds of the HGV testing station facing the Royal Oak, and the Filter room aside Common Lane, below ground level and recently renovated and shown in the TV programme, "Restoration Man". Please examine the map of RAF Watnall dated 1949, image-2. It may be an idea to save the image to your pictures to enable you to zoom in. It is scanned from a book I have, if the details are too poor, p/m me your email address and I will send you the image in a higher resolution. It is not a brilliant ...
Read more

Sword and Firearm markings of The South Notts Yeomanry.

Image
Dertermining issue marks of weapons issued to the South Notts Hussars has been slightly complicate by the Regiment having gone through several name changes in its long history.  A 1796 Patt cavalry troopers sword is held in the Nottingham Castle collection with the blade etched "NYC" for Notts Yeomanry Cavalry. This term was also used b the Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry, although observed pieces also carry a marking for west and north with "w" nad "n". A light dragoon flintlock pistol  of private purchase / volunteer type has been observed with "NOTTS YEOMANRY" engraved to the side nail plate, and would date to pre-1826 before the regiment was divided into north, the Sherwood Rangers,  and south, the Southern Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry.  The regiment was issued with 1844 Patt Yeomanry carbines in 1844. These are likely to carry markings to the butt plate tang along the lines of, S.R.Y.C., or S.N.Y.C. In the later period, two 1853 Patt Cavalry Troppe...
Read more

THE BARBER FAMILY OF GREASLEY

Image
  Along with the Rollestons of Watnall Hall, there was another family of the landed gentry in our area, the Barber family of Lamb Close House Greasley. In close proximity to each other, there are close historic ties between the two families and similarities. Both families have memorials placed in St Mary's Church in Greasley. Both families were noted for their charitable donations to the local community. One notable comparison between the two families was the strong tradition amongst the landed gentry to give the new born sons the same name as the father. This led to a succession of Lancelot Rollestons and Thomas Barbers. The strongest tie between the two families can be found in the history of the local regiment, the South Notts Yeomanry. Both families had a long run of officers in the local unit. The Watnall Troop of the South Notts Yeomanry established in 1817, its first two officers were Lancelot Rolleston, and Thomas Barber. Several more officers were supplied through the 19th...
Read more