General Alfonso Ferrero La Marmora (1804-78)

Photograph of a three-quarter length portrait of General la Marmora (1804-78) standing, facing towards the camera. He turns his head to the left, his face captured in profile. He wears an Italian military uniform with his bicorn hat and gloves on the table beside him.

General La Marmora commanded the Sardinian force which fought on the side of the Allies in the Crimean War. He had a distinguished military career, and held the post of Minister of War before and after the campaign. In 1856, during a visit to England, he had several conversations with Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle. They discussed the troops and the conduct of the war, and the situation in Italy. The Queen found him 'so gentlemanlike, sensible, agreeable & amiable' and on 24 January 1856, she invested him with the Order of the Bath