Remembering The Crimean War 169 Years On
Fought between the Russian Empire and allied forces of the British Empire, Ottoman Empire, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia, the alliance claimed victory on 30th March 1856 after a two-and-a-half-year conflict.
When hostilities began, few could have predicted the outcome of the war. Initially, historical records depicted the Russian army as an unbeatable force. However, low troop morale and insufficient supplies hampered efforts, which ultimately failed against determined allied resistance.
The conflict took a devastating toll on all sides – with the allies and Russia losing over 250,000 soldiers each. The former British Empire alone suffered more than 22,000 casualties. Perhaps most tragically, many perished not from combat wounds, but from inadequate medical care in field hospitals. This crisis gave rise to pioneering figures in medical history. This includes British nurse Florence Nightingale, whose introduction of sanitary practices reduced healthcare-related mortality rates, and Mary Seacole, whose British Hotel became a sanctuary for sick and injured soldiers.
The Veteran Experience After The Crimean War
For many returning veterans, the war’s aftermath presented significant challenges. Soldiers who had endured the harsh conditions found themselves facing limited employment prospects upon their return home. Sir Edward Walter, a retired officer of the 8th Hussars, recognised this injustice and was determined to create meaningful change.
Having retired from active service in 1853, Sir Walter established the Corps of Commissionaires and became the organisation’s first commanding officer. The official inception of Corps is recorded on 13th February 1859, as Sir Walter noted in his diary:
“The Commissionaires will parade at 10am tomorrow morning and attend Divine Service at Westminster Abbey, after which they will dine together. The undermentioned men have been appointed to the Corps.”
Sir Walter championed the capabilities of ex-service people, advocating for their transition into crucial security roles to protect London’s financial institutions, then the world’s commercial hub. This pioneering resettlement initiative provided employment to the ‘Original Eight’ – one sailor and seven soldiers who became the foundation of our organisation.
The Corps of Commissionaires quickly established a reputation for exceptional service standards, attracting requests from an expanding client base. Within its first year, the Commissionaires secured rented accommodation at Exchange Court in The Barracks, which became the official headquarters for permanent staff.
Under Sir Walter’s leadership, the organisation expanded to include reservists alongside ex-service people. By 1880, the Corps of Commissionaires had established operations in London, Belfast, and Liverpool, with a membership exceeding 1,000.
The company’s growth continued globally, with Corps of Commissionaires establishing offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I
In 1915, HRH the Duke of Connaught, the Governor General of Canada, approached Sir Walter to help Canadian veterans of the First World War. The Canadian Commissionaires was initially established in Montreal, before expanding to Toronto and Vancouver. Now, the Canadian Commissionaires celebrates 100 years of supporting Canadian veterans.
In 1901, His Majesty King Edward VII consented to chair the Corps of Commissionaires’ board of governors. More than a century later in 2008, the company evolved into Corps Security as we know it today, with King Charles III as our Royal Patron.
Supporting Ex-military Personnel in 2025
The Crimean War represented a challenging chapter in British history, leaving many veterans with insufficient support upon their return. Sir Edward Walter’s vision, and the mission of the Corps of Commissionaires, helped countless former service members to apply their military expertise in civilian roles.
In 2025, Corps’ founding principles continue to resonate throughout our organisation. We maintain our commitment to supporting ex-military personnel in their transition to security careers, and actively fundraise for veteran charities including the SSAFA (the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association), Blind Veterans, BLESMA (formally known as The Limbless Veterans) and Combat Stress.
We’re proud to highlight the work of our Corps Veterans Association, which provides additional mentoring, and camaraderie for those who have served their country. The Association’s regular events and outreach programmes help strengthen the bonds between generations of veterans and ensure that the unique experiences of military service are understood and valued within our organisation.
Providing support and opportunities for veterans remain at the heart of Corps Security’s ethos: delivering specialist security services that ensure the safety of both property and people while remembering those who have served.
Read more about Sir Edward Walter and our history here.
