Hodson of Hodsons Horse

WILLIAM HODSON, 1821-58 (Major W.S.R. Hodson - Hodson of Hodson's Horse)

William Stephen Raikes Hodson (1821-1858), a Victorian cavalry commander of distinction, is remembered for various notable military achievements in his lifetime. Moreover, his military career won him respect and praise from many quarters. This included recognition from the Minister for India, the Prime Minister, and the Sovereign.

Contemporaries described Hodson (in their letters and memoirs) as an outstanding cavalry officer. Among the descriptions recorded, the following was made by General Hugh Gough in his memoirs about Hodson: 'A finer or more gallant soldier never breathed. He had the true instincts of a leader of men; as a cavalry soldier he was perfection; a strong seat, a perfect swordsman, quick and intelligent'. Another friend and colleague General Sir Henry Daly added: 'Hodson was, as I always thought, a wondrous compound; ability high and strong; great capacity of mind; power and energy, physical and mental. He is a great loss to the service, for doubtless he had done great soldiership'.

The army's Commander-in-Chief, Lord Roberts ( in his memoirs: 'Forty-One Years in India') praised Hodson's many accomplishments and exploits (with only one reservation/exception, made with the benefit of hindsight). He also made a point of defending Hodson's reputation against the false rumours and the views of detractors.

Among Hodson's closest friends were Sir Henry Lawrence (Resident of Lahore and Chief Commissioner of Oudh, India) and fellow officer Lord Napier of Magdala. In a letter to the Rev. George Hodson (author) Lord Napier writes in 1883: 'I am much obliged for the perusal of the preface to the new edition of your memoir of your brother Major WSR Hodson. I am now - as I have always been - fully convinced of his honour and integrity'. Lord Napier was also at Hodson's bedside at the time of his friend's death in 1858, and (in a letter he later sent Mrs Hodson) recorded Hodson's last words as "I hope I have done my duty".

Sir Colin Campbell, commander-in-chief in the East Indies, wrote the following to Hodson's widow: 'I attended your husband's funeral yesterday in order to show what respect I could to the memory of one of the most brilliant officers under my command'.

Added to the many tributes from his friends and colleagues, Hodson received special recognition after his death from HM Queen Victoria and her Prime Minister.

In parliamentary speeches made on 14th April 1859 the Prime Minister Earl of Derby, and the Minister for India Lord Stanley, singled-out Major Hodson for his unique services to the country. In a shortened account Lord Stanley is quoted as saying: 'Especially distinguished is Major Hodson who in his short but brilliant military career displayed every quality which an officer should possess. Nothing is more remarkable than the variety of services in which he was engaged...He crowded into the brief space of eleven years the services and adventures of a long life. He died when his reward was assured - the consciousness of duty done and the assurance of enduring military renown'.

And from the Prime Minister: 'Doubtless many have fallen who, if they had been spared, might have risen to greatest eminence and have held the highest stations in public service. I allude to Hodson a model of chiefs of irregular forces. By his valour, his rigid discipline, and careful attention to his men's real wants, comforts, desires, and even prejudices, he had obtained an influence which was all but marvellous. This enabled him to lead his troops so formed and disciplined into any danger and into any conflict as if they had been British soldiers. He has met a soldier's death. It will be long before the people lose the memory of Hodson'.

This recognition of Hodson by the Prime Minister was reflected in the special pension granted his widow by the Secretary of State for India in Council, who declared it was 'testimony of the high sense entertained of the gallant and distinguished services of the late Brevet-Major W.S.R. Hodson'.

Some months after the Prime Minister's speech Her Majesty Queen Victoria honoured Major Hodson posthumously by granting his widow private apartments at Hampton Court Palace "in consideration of the distinguished service of your late husband in India".

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