The Relief of the Light Brigade (1897)

The charge of the Light Brigade on 25 October, 1854, at the Battle of Balaklava, has to be one of the most infamous episodes in British military history. The tragic charge of the British light cavalry regiments along the 'valley of death' under murderous fire from the Russian guns scandalised British society and shamed the military leadership of the world’s most powerful nation.

Richard Caton Woodville's 1897 depiction The Relief of the Light Brigade is unusually close-up, and captures the climax of the charge, when the battered British troopers finally meet their Russian adversaries rather than their ammo. Two individuals face each other, sabres about to swing down, momentarily catching his opponent’s eye. One, or probably both of them, are about to die; the Russian’s face will be the last thing that the Briton sees, unless he is one of those fortunate enough not to be counted among the 110 fatalities.

What is the last thing we see before we die? The A&E ceiling or the hard, motorway tarmac? Loved ones’ faces, tearfully crowding round? A nonchalant staff member at the local care home, coldly anticipating the additional work required by a change of occupant? Might the unbeliever see Satan, gleefully ticking off another prized trophy of his horrid rebellion? It would be foolish to speculate further. We do know, however, that young Stephen, when faced with imminent death in Acts 7:54, beheld the Lord Jesus Himself. We imagine, nay hope, that He will be the first we see when we get to the other side, but He may also, perchance, be standing at our place of dying, gently holding our hand, smiling encouragement, as the spirit takes its leave of the body.

“and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:20b