A Professional Soldier

The son of a gardener, James Duncan enlisted in the 17th Lancers in 1842. Promoted from the ranks during the winter hell of the Crimean War, he went on to fight in the Indian Mutiny, before becoming the Fort-Major of Edinburgh Castle, and retiring as an Honorary Colonel. ’A Professional Soldier’ examines the everyday existence of a 19th century cavalryman, as he rises through the ranks from Private to Colonel. Exploring the routines, drills, tactics, and ideals, which would have made up Duncan’s daily life, and defined him as a career soldier, at peace and at war. Along the way, hopefully proving that many Victorian soldiers were not blunderers, but professional soldiers.