Today marks the 152nd anniversary of the death of Charles Agnew “by the hand of assassin” in Egypt on Saturday 22nd March 1873, the tragedy that became the catalyst for researching and writing Avarice of Empire.

It’s been a privilege to spend the day at Canterbury Cathedral, where I’ve paid my respects to Charles at the memorial “erected to his memory in token of their regard by his brother officers of the Sixteenth Queen’s Lancers” at the far east end of the nave’s south aisle. It’s nearly a decade since I was last here and the unique turn of phrase inscribed in white marble first sparked my curiosity. Seeing it again after all this time, during which Charles Agnew has become rather like an old friend, was a humbling and emotional moment.

The visit has also been an opportunity to meet Ian Osterloh from the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society, to present him with a signed copy of the book, and to answer his many interested questions about the historical research behind it.

Ian Osterloh (left) and C.Q. Turnstone at the memorial to Captain Charles Agnew in Canterbury Cathedral, 22nd March 2025