Sebastopol Cannon

Sebastopol Cannon. . This is a replica of a Russian cannon captured during the Crimean War (1853-56). It commemorates the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment's role in that conflict., A cannon was captured at the siege of Sebastopol and brought here as a war trophy. It was melted down during the Second World War to support the war effort. This replica was installed in 1990, cast from another original cannon that is outside Ely Cathedral., The Crimean War broke out in 1853 between Russia and the allied powers of Britain, France, Turkey and Sardinia, over disputed territories around the Black Sea. Fighting took place in the Crimea, with the allies targeting the key port of Sebastopol., The war is famous today for the battles of Balaklava, Alma, Sebastopol and Inkerman (all listed on the monument); the 'Charge of the Light Brigade' and the role played by the nurses Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole., The 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment served in the Crimea from 1854 until the end of the war, taking part in the siege of Sebastopol. The soldiers often endured appalling winter conditions, as well as the dangers of battle.