Cardwell Road, N7

Place Name

Edward Cardwell (July 24, 1813 – February 15, 1886) was a leading Victorian politician. Working in the Colonial Office he sent instructions to Captain William Hobson that would ultimately lead to the foundation of New Zealand but it was his work as Secretary for War in 1869, when this road was named that would have a bigger impact closer to home. His introduction of sweeping and popular reforms in the army meant that senior posts would be filled on merit not the ability to pay for commissions. In 1868 he abolished flogging, raising the private soldier status. In 1870 Cardwell abolished “bounty money” for recruits, and discharged known bad characters from the ranks. He pulled 20,000 soldiers out of self-governing colonies like Canada, which learned they had to help defend themselves.

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