BURN-001 -- Captain Frederick Burnaby

Captain Frederick Burnaby belonged to an age filled with romantic legends.

He was born in Bedford on 3rd March 1842. After his education at Bedford Grammar School and Harrow, he joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1859. He travelled with General Gordon in the Sudan during 1875 and later that year he journeyed across the Russian Steppes on horseback. This extremely hazardous equestrian journey resulted in 'A Ride to Khiva' (1876).

In 1876-78 he travelled through Asia Minor and Armenia, later writing about his journey in 'On Horseback through Asia Minor'

In 1882 he crossed the Channel to Normandy in a balloon, making him the first balloonist ever to cross the Channel alone.

Burnaby died as he had lived: he was killed by a spear at the battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan on 17th January 1885.