by Alan Smith
ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

This small-scale model is the first glimpse of a statue in tribute to Maidstone’s Crimean War hero, Captain Lewis Edward Nolan.

The full-size statue, costing £50,000, will stand on a plinth outside Trinity Foyer in Church Street.

It has been commissioned by Maidstone council and is being made by The Stone Shop in East Farleigh.

The statue will honour the gallant Captain, the first to be killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854.

Nolan was initially blamed for the disaster, in which 600 men were ordered to charge into the wrong valley and found themselves fired on by Russian artillery from three sides.

But another historical view has shared the blame between Nolan’s commanders Lord Raglan and Lord Cardigan both showing a remarkable degree of incompetence. Hundreds were killed or taken prisoner, and the tragedy has become, like the evacuation of Dunkirk, one of those British defeats turned into triumph.

The original plaque disappeared during the church’s conversion to become Trinity Foyer.

During his life in Maidstone Capt Nolan lived in the barracks in Staceys Street, and also in Lion House in Church Street, now home to ACT Publishing.

Gordon Newton, owner of The Stone Shop, pictured above, who produced the design model, said: “It’s been almost 18 months since we received the commission. After much historical research and design we are now at a position to commence the construction of the tribute to Nolan.”