ABOUT THIS PAGE
Although this web site/page is aimed at those interested in
the 35th regiment of Foot/French and Indian War, where the entry may be worth
a visit, on its own it may not fulfil a full days outing, from, for instance
London. In this case a few ideas/gems have been suggested.
A CAUTIONARY TALE.
It is also worth pointing out to overseas visitors especially
first time visitor friends from the U.S.A. that while the U.K. may only be
a fraction of the size of the U.S.A. some places may take far longer to reach
than you would think. This is especially true when "getting off the beaten
track" where you will encounter those wonderful winding roads (as seen in
postcards) with a "real gem" worth visiting around every corner.
LONDON
GREENWICH
TOMB OF JAMES WOLFE St Alfege's Church http://www.st-alfege.org/, Greenwich,
London---The tomb itself is in the Crypt under "Canadian Corner" where an
inscription marks the location of the actual tomb, the church also has a
number of paintings and rather fine stained glass window of General Wolfe
Above- the plate below which rests the
body of Major general James Wolfe. We would like to thank the custodians of St Alfege's Church
for their help in obtaining this photograph.
A large statue to this Great British
General stands on Observatory Hill, while Wolfe's London home is nearby (not
open to the public). Greenwich on its own has a vast amount of interest for
the visitor, including the recently opened to the public Royal Naval college
(where Nelson rested in state before his funeral) with its magnificent painted
ceilings,the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark (Clipper
ship), to Britains great white elephant the Millennium Dome (now closed
and looking for a buyer).
WESTMINSTER
Monument to JAMES WOLFE
(by Joseph Wilton) Westminster Abbey. A whole day could be spent exploring
this magnificent building and its surroundings, however please remember it
is not a museum but is principally a place of worship.
THE SOUTH EAST
The South East--Surrey, Kent, Sussex
and Hampshire like other parts of the U.K. probably deserves an "Historically
based" holiday all on its own. Not only does it house many French and Indian
War connections but a vast array of historic sites and picture postcard towns
and villages, liberally dotted with real ale and good food establishments.
Gatwick airport lies almost central to the area and I cannot think of a better
entry/exit point for a holiday based upon London and/or the South East.
KENT
Westerham
Quebec House, home of General JAMES
WOLFE. Now owned by the National Trust, is situated at the east End
of Westerham on the North Side of the A25 facing the Junction with the B2026.
Wolfe's home houses many pieces of memorabilia (including Wolfe's own journal
of the siege of Louisbourg). It also houses many fine paintings depicting
the death of the General. The annex houses a small exhibition on the campaigns
against New France.
Squerryes Court home of George Wade a close friend of James Wolfe. A cenotaph marks the spot in Squerrys park, where James Wolfe received notice of his first commission while visiting his friends.
Two other Monuments to James Wolfe
in Westerham are---
Westerham Church where a simple marble
tablet, erected by some of Wolfe's friends carries the following inscription----
While George in sorrow bows his laurell'd head
And bids the artist grace the soldier
dead,
We raise no sculptur'd trophy
to thy name,
Brave youth! the fairest in
the list of fame.
Proud of thy birth, we boast th' auspiscious year,
Struck with thy fall, we
shed a general tear,
With humble
grief inscribe one artless stone,
And from thy matchless honours date our own.
Another and most predominant is the
statue of James Wolfe on the village Green. The village green is perhaps an ideal place
to begin and finish a visit to Westerham as it has a couple of traditional
"Olde English" tea shops plus pubs with reasonably good food.
NEARBY or certainly within
easy reach are Chartwell House--Home of Sir Winston Churchill and a real
gem of a castle both in history and beauty--- Hever Castle (http://www.hevercastle.co.uk).
SUSSEX
EastbourneTheRedoubt
Fortress, a Napoleonic bastion built during
the threat of a french invasion. Now home to a number of Regimental museums
including that of The 35th Regiment of Foot/Royal Sussex Regiment.
Eastbourne is one of the more Genteel English seaside resorts and has more
than a good few superb restaurants and eating places both inside the town
and in the surrounding countryside.
The surrounding area has a wealth of history from the pre
history "long man of Wilmington" (a giant chalk carving on the hillside),
Castles such as Pevensey (with fortifications from Roman to 1940) and within
easy reach of the SENLAC battlefield of Hastings (BATTLE), and something of
a gem-BODIAM. Eastbourne like much of the corner of England is blessed with
the wonderful countryside of "THE SOUTH DOWNS"--rolling hills which terminate
with in a spectacular sea scape at BEACHY HEAD within easy reach of the town.
FIRLE HOUSE, and Firle Church, near Lewes
(also close to EASTBOURNE) Home and Resting place of General Thomas Gage.
Thomas Gage is of course more well know
as the British Commander during the early days of the American Revolution
(Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill 1775) Less well known is that he was an
able and inventive leader of light infantry during the French and Indian Wars.
In 1751 became lieutenant colonel of the 44th Regiment, one of two regiments
of regulars sent to America under General Braddock late in 1754. Gage
led the advanced detachment on Braddock's march toward Fort Duquesne and
was wounded in the rout of that expedition. Subsequently he was employed at
Oswego.
In 1758 he raised a regiment of light infantry, designated
the 80th.He served under Abercromby in the attack on Fort Ticonderoga and
later was stationed at Crown Point as a brigadier general. After the capture
of Fort Niagara in 1759, Gage succeeded Sir William Johnson as commander in
that region and led the rear guard of the army under Amherst which moved on
Montreal and forced the capitulation of Canada in 1760.he was also one of
the British Army officers to bring back to the U.K. a New England bride.
Although most of the papers concerning this General are no
longer at the house, it still has a number of artefacts linking the man to
his home. The house is set in the pleasant countryside of East Sussex and
houses a particularly fine Restaurant. Nearby is Lewes which has a wealth
of both history and fine eating establishments. If a visit is planned for
the Autumn then try to fix the dates for visiting Lewes around the 5th of
November as this is the date of the World renowned spectacular Lewes bonfire
celebrations (book your Hotel early).
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