In Between Campaigning - The Peaceful Years
Summary of a Court Martial of the Horse and Dragoons held at the camp near Bouclain the Third day of October 1711 by order of his Grace the Duke of Marlborough Captain General of her Majesty’s Land Forces etc.
The Right Honourable the Lord Marquis of Harwich President:
Lt Colonel John Perry: Lt Colonel Philip Armstrong: Lt Colonel Robert Norton: Lt Colonel William Bray: Major Charles Cathcart: Captain Stephen Palmer: Captain Ebenezer Leeds: Captain Thomas Hall: Captain Wriothesly Beaton: Captain George Lord Forester: Captain George Rosse: Captain William Burroughs.
John Dod Trooper in Lt Colonel Deane’s Troop in the Queen’s Regiment of Horse commanded by the Honourable General Lumley accused of killing Thomas Watson of the same Troop in breach of the 19th Article of War.
Cuthbert Hudson Trooper in the same Troop swears that he being on command with a Squadron of the regiment at St Anan , about the middle of August last, there happened a dispute between the prisoner and the deceased, about their victuals and whetstone which the deceased carried so far, as to give abusive and provoking language to the prisoner, and then coming forward to the prisoner, with his sword in his hand, and with threatening language. The prisoner drew and gave the deceased a blow over the head, which the Surgeon that dressed it said it was no way dangerous, and about a month after there came an account that he was dead in the hospital at Donay, having first desired no punishment may be inflicted on the prisoner.
John Dabinson, Trooper in the same Troop swears the same thing with the above Deponent.
The prisoner says for himself that he gave the deceased no manner of occasion to quarrel with him, and did all that lay in his power to pacify him, but being not able to prevail, he was obliged to draw to his own defence.
The Officer of the Troop to which the prisoner belongs gives a very good character of his behaviour for several years past, and says the deceased was always of a turbulent and quarrelsome nature.
It is the opinion of the Court that the prisoner John Dod is not guilty of the breach of the 19th Article of War , and he is acquitted accordingly.
HARWICH
I do hereby approve and confirm the proceedings of this Court Martial given at the camp near Bouclain this Tenth Day of October 1711
Signed
MARLBOROUGH
August 1760: 2nd Dragoon Guards
The Lord Barrington, Secretary at War informed the House that he was commanded by the King, to acquaint the House, that Lord George Sackville, a Member of the House, was in arrest, by the Kings command, for disobedience of orders, while employed in his Majesty's service, during the last campaign, in Germany; whereupon it was resovled,
That an humble address be presented to his Majesty, returning him the thanks of the House, for his tender regard to its privileges, in the communication which he was pleased to make of the reason for putting Lord George Sackville in arrest.
March 1766: 2nd Dragoon Guards
At Hereford assizes, a trial was brought on before Baron Perrot, wherein John Davy, a soldier in Lord Waldergraves regiment, was plaintiff, and the Quarter Master and clerk to a Troop of the said regiment, defendant. While this regiment lay in Germany, his Lordship gave a pair of gaiters to each of his men: the defendant having the distribution of them without mentioning his Lordships gift, delivered them, and charged his Troop 2s a pair. About two years ago whilst the regiment was quartered at Hereford, this man, the plaintiff asked the Quarter Master to return the money he had exacted from him, who being enraged, ordered him into confinement, and three days after held a court martial of two or three inferior officers, who sentanced him to 200 lashes, one half of which were severely inflicted on him; but the gentlemen of Hereford hearing the story interposed with the commanding officer, and got his sentence mitigated to drumming out of the regiment. Upon hearing the evidence the jury gave their verdict for the Plaintiff, with 100 l. damages and costs of suit.
1798 2nd Dragoon Guards Trumpeters:
The Morning Chronicle 27th July 1789. Four Trumpeters belonging to the regiment of Queen's Bays, received their discharge yesterday for their long servitude, and four Germans were appointed in their room;the band of the regiment consists chiefly of Germans.
1805: 1st Dragoon Guards, Trumpeters Horses:-
8th April 1805. To General Sir William Pitt. His Royal Highness approves your ordering Colonel Fane to purchase as many grey horses as are necessary to mount the Trumpeters of your regiment at present mounted on horses of differant colour.
''The Abergavenny Advertiser'' The Voice of Free Wales. Stop Press October 1823
Abergavenny Tollkeepers Defy 2nd Dragoon Guards Captain.
An acrimoniuos dispute has arisen between Captain Charles Middleton, officer commanding a Troop of the 2nd Dragoon Guards quartered in the town and the keepers of the four Toll Bar Gates. The Captain claims that he is being unfairly charged a toll fee whenever he rides out on the local roads and that this contravenes the Mutiny Act which exempts officers and their Bat (Baggage) Men while on duty and wearing uniform. On submitting this case to the Commissioner of Turnpikes however, he was aggrieved to learn that the Turnpike Act is interpreted differantly and officers are required to pay Toll duties unless actually at the head of their Troop and their Bat Men dressed in uniform.
''Duty'' Captain Middleton told me ''Often requires my individual presence beyond the town limits. In such a case i have no option but to pay the tax or take the Toll Keeper before the local Magistrate to divulge the nature of my duty, which may not always be appropriate or advisable''. The unhappy Captain has written to the Deputy Secretary at War in Horse Guards for a ruling on this differance of interpretation between the military forces and the civilian administration
Mr Powell the Acting Magistrate for Monmouthshire has now entered the fray and he to has written to the War Office-'' I have consulted the Turnpike Act and it clearly states that provided they are on the march or on duty the toll will not be charged for officers or soldiers. The Captain contends that he is stationed here on full time duty and he must recce the local roads, thus claiming exemption whenever he passes through the gates. The Gatekeepers maintain that the officer is only on duty when at the head of his Troop, because otherwise they cannot judge if he is riding for duty or for pleasure and are therefore liable to be defrauded (!). Captain Middleton claims that it is not for the Gatekeepers to decide. Within the meaning of the Turnpike Act, i am inclined to take the side of the Gatekeepers. I hope that the Secretary at War will clarify the position with the Attorney or Solicitor General so that i can make a final decision''.
Clearly the two sides are a long way from agreement and this in part reflects the unpopularity of the military being employed in a policing role during these times of civil unrest. We now await a ruling from Horse Guards which hopefully will enable this affair to be settled amicably.
1st KINGS DRAGOON GUARDS BAGGGAGE TRAIN c1824
The painting depicted here shows the Regiments baggage wagons outside St Nicholas Church (now the Cathedral of Newcastle) and depicts an incident in regimental life that must have been all too familiar to men of all cavalry regiments in the first half of the nineteenth century. In the troubled times of the Industrial Revolution cavalry regiments were constantly moving from station to station since they were frequently needed in support of the Civil Power to quell riots and overawe trouble makers. Most regular and yeomanry regiments had some experience of these troubles and the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards were so often required to operate in this role. That an old nickname of the Regiment was ‘’The Trade Union’’.
A brief outline of the Regiment’s movements after returning from Ireland in 1822 well exemplifies this continuous activity. Landing at Liverpool, they afterwards occupied quarters at Manchester, Sheffield, and Nottingham. Shortly after midsummer of 1823 they proceeded to Scotland and were quartered at Piershill barracks, Edinburgh and Perth. In 1824, the Regiment returned to England, where detachments were stationed at Carlisle, Leeds and Newcastle-on-Tyne from whence it marched in 1825 to Hounslow to be reviewed by H.R.H The Duke of York on 28th June. In July it marched to Canterbury, Deal and Shorncliffe. In February two Troops were removed to Norwich and in March the remainder of the Regiment proceeded to Leeds, Blackburn and Burnley. It became actively engaged in suppressing riots and preserving property from destruction in the manufacturing districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire and so urgent were the requisitions of the magistrates that the troops occasionally marched between fifty and sixty miles in one day.
In 1827 The KDG returned to Scotland, to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth and in April 1828 again marched south to York, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Carlisle and Beverly. In October they were stationed in Manchester where they were once again repeatedly used to aid the ‘Civil Power’ at Macclesfield, Rochdale and Manchester. The next year (1829) they returned to Ireland but not to rest as they were once more continually used to quell riots.
We remember today isolated incidents such as the ‘’Peterloo Massacre’’ but as this recital shows rioting and unrest were wide spread especially in industrial areas and troops had to learn how to exercise then, as now, a judicious show of force when necessary tempered by patience and good humour. That serious injury and loss of life were so rare is a tribute to the skilful way in which the Regiment handled these occasions for which they received numerous commendations form the authorities.
It is clear from this that the scene depicted must have been a commonplace occasion in Regimental life, but one of which few pictorial records survive. From the above list it would seem that the Regiment was twice stationed at Newcastle in this period, once in 1824-25 and again in 1828. From internal evidence there would have been little to show which occasion was recorded as there was no change in uniform in these years, however an old label on the back of the painting states ‘’The 1st Dragoon Guards shifting their baggage near St Nicholas Church Newcastle from a sketch taken on the spot by H. Parker 1825’’ and this can be taken fairly definite of the Regiments first visit to the town.
Shown are four baggage wagons piled mountainously high and a considerable number of wives and children are sitting on the baggage or obviously intending to do so and though, rather strangely for British soldiers, no dogs are in evidence there is a bird cage near the summit of the wagon in the centre of the picture. Also recognisable in the bottom left of the picture is the coloured face of Loveless Overton an officers servant. Loveless Overton was born in St Thomas, Bridgetown, Barbados and enlisted for unlimited service in the King’s Dragoon Guards in Manchester 25th March 1800 aged twenty years old. Previously he had served as a Trumpeter in the Ayrshire Fencibles from 1799-1800. He was discharged as a trumpeter from the King’s Dragoon Guards to a pension of 9d per day due to a shortness of breath. On discharge he is described as illiterate, of good character, 38 years old. 6ft tall, black hair, black eyes, a black complexion and was a joiner by trade. (Although he served in the Regiment during the Waterloo campaign he does not appear on the medal roll. Also his age given does not seem to fit in with his military service).
The Standing Orders of the KDG issued by Lt Colonel G B Mundy in 1804 have a number of points to make about baggage. The Quartermaster had to attend to the packing and proper loading of the wagons. Spare arms were to be packed in the arms chest and accoutrements of every kind wrapped with some covering for their preservation. When four Troops marched together an officer, sergeant, corporal and two men per Troop formed the baggage guard. When only one Troop marched, an NCO and three men sufficed. Only the sick were entitled to ride on baggage trains and an NCO obliging a driver to carry women against his will incurred a penalty of £5-a very severe one in those times. No woman on the baggage train was permitted to wear a dragoon’s cloak unless she was unwell, when an old cloak may be ordered to her by the baggage officer.
In 1840 Standing Orders of the KDG also stated that no soldiers wife or other person could expect to be allowed to travel on any Regimental baggage carts and any NCO’s or soldiers wives who might hire a cart for their conveyance were required to march with the baggage and were not allowed to precede them on any account. The march of the baggage had to be regulated so that it would arrive at the end of the days march with the Regiment always moving off a sufficient time before the main body to ensure this.
In spite of all the regulations it would seem that in practise a blind eye was turned by authority and the majority of the wives or at any rate those with young children were allowed to ride on the baggage.
Lt Colonel George Teesdale in Levee Dress and medal.
Amongst the items waiting to be loaded are two officers trunks. One bears the name Lt Colonel G. Teesdale, the Commanding officer. He had a remarkable long tenure of command even at this period. First commissioned in 1793 he was promoted Captain in 1795, Major in 1805, and Lt Colonel in the Army 1st January 1812. he was employed away from the Regiment but after the death of Lt Colonel Fuller while leading the Regiment at Waterloo he was appointed to take over command on the 7th September 1815, and remained in command until the 11th May 1838. He was apparently a somewhat corpulent officer and is so shown in a portrait by Digton. He also figures in three caricatures published in Ireland in 1822. One of these shows him on one balance of a pair of scales with seven Hussars officers well outweighed on the other, with the caption ‘’One Heavy Son of Mars ‘gainst Seven Light Hussars’’ and another, entitled ‘’ Military Prodigies-or the Fattest (sic) the Tallest and Smallest’’ identifies him with two of his Cornets Richard Heaviside who was well over 6ft and Richard Martin who was diminutive. Teesdale was made a Knight of the Royal Guelphic Order by William IV.
One heavy Son of Mars 'gainst 7 Light Hussars
The second trunk is inscribed Cornet (sic) Wilson. He obtained his commission 28th August 1823. and was promoted Lt 23rd January 1825. So this information confirms the dating of the picture to the first Visit to Necastle.
All the items of Kit shown, and a detailed examination shows many are of known pattern and would be as expected, with one exception. This is a black leather undress sabretache lying on the ground in the centre of the picture. This has a yellow metal badge which cannot be quite clearly made out but looks like a crest or badge over a scroll. The only pattern so far known has a brass star badge with crown on top and a KDG monogram in the centre and this pattern is clearly shown in the print from Spooners Upright Series of officers of the British Army No 45 by Mansion and Exchanzier showing an officer in marching order published c1832. It would therefore seem that this is an earlier pattern previously unrecorded and it is a great pity that it is not a little clearer in the picture.
The artist. Henry Perlee Parker was born at Devonport 15th March 1795, but moved to Newcastle in 1817 where he had a studio at Pilgrim Street. About 1840 he was appointed drawing master at Wesley College, Sheffield, but in 1845 moved to London where he died on 11th November 1873. He was popularly known as ‘Smuggler Parker’’ from his partiality for painting fishermen, smugglers and beach scenes, but he as also painted landscapes and other historical pictures. The only other of his listed with a military subject is ‘’Securing a Deserter’ exhibited at the British Institution in 1829. It would seem that this painting which also shows the KDG and was painted on a panel was at some time cut down from the original 2ft.10ins x 3ft 10ins to 9ins x 7½ins. That it is the same picture seems probable by reason of the fact that on the back of the panel is painted ‘’Serter’ on one line below ‘’P Parker’’ and the size spread of this lettering seems to fit with a picture of the size quoted. The picture shows a corporal fitting handcuffs on the wrists of a young man whose relatives crowd around while a Trooper holding a carbine stands by his side. The uniform which is carefully drawn is the same as that portrayed in the Baggage Train picture, although from the date of the exhibition this was probably done the on regiment’s second visit to Newcastle. It is noted that the corporal’s gloves are carried in the swivel of the carbine belt. The Standing Orders of the KDG under the heading ‘’ Dress of Sergeants and Sergeant Majors’’, says ‘’On duties on foot and under arms they are dressed with sashes, with knots hanging on the right side, pouch belt, carbine and sword belt, with gloves hanging on the swivel’’ Another regulation of the same Standing Order states ‘’When corporals and privates are ordered to escort deserters ect, they will parade with arms as on all foot parades, flints and ammunition complete and in trousers. Unfortunately this picture is not in the regimental collection.
Securing A Deserter by Henry Parlee Parker
Captain Frederick Polhill 1st King's Dragoon Guards 1825
Captain Frederick Polhill in Review Order 1823
On November the 9th 1825, this officer, for a wager, rode ninety-five miles in four hours and seventeen minutes. On the 17th April 1826 Captain Polhill, having undertaken for a match of 100 sovereigns to walk 50 miles, to drive 50 miles, and to ride 50 in the space of twenty-four hours, commenced his arduous task on Monday morning at one o'clock on Haigh Park Racecourse. As his feat had excited much interest in the town, it occasioned the attendance of a numerous and respectable concours of equestrians and pedestrians. At five minutes past eight p.m. the Captain completed his undertaking, having four hours and fifty-five minutes to spare. He immediately stepped into a coach, and amidst respected cheers was drawn to the barracks (a distance of upwards of four miles) by the assembled multitude. Upon arriving at the Barracks, the coach was drawn up at the officers' door, and after the Captain had alighted, the company sang the National Anthem. The whole distance was completed in 186 rounds of three quarters of a mile and 104 yards each. He commenced by walking 19½ miles at the rate of 5¾ an hour. He then drove 10½ miles and so proceeded, walking, driving and riding in succession. The whole time occupied in walking being 10 hours and 21 minutes, at the rate of 4 5/6ths miles an hour; in driving 4 hours and 24 minutes, at 11⅓ miles an hour; and in riding 2 hours and 42 minutes at 18½ miles an hours. Mr Polhill ran the last round, and appeared very little the worse for the exertion.
TYNE MERCURY NOVEMBER 22 1831: Queen's Bays
A Board consisting of Lt Colonel Holloway, C.B. Royal Engineers. Major Kearny, Queen’s Bays. Major Drought 15th Foot. Captain Bellairs, Barrack Master. And Doctor Bain 15th regiment of Foot, last week came to the resolution of representing in the strongest terms to Head Quarters, that the health and comfort of the Garrison at Newcastle called for the removal of the great manure heap which is accumulated near to the Soldiers’ Quarters at the Barracks, and is no doubt a very offensive nuisance.
NEWCASTLE JULY 13TH 1832: Queen's Bays
MILITARY DEGRADATION:- On Monday the whole regiment of the Queen’s Bays were drawn up in line in the barrack square at Piershill, in order to witness the ceremony of the ignominious dismissal of Private Lockwood from the Corps. Every means had been resorted to reclaim this individual from his abandoned habits; at length, after having been convicted of felony, he, by the sanction of the Commander-in-Chief, was sentenced to be flogged, and dismissed the service with ignominy.
The former part of the sentence was delivered some weeks back, and the latter on Monday.- He was led to the front of the Corps, where Trumpeters cut off his facings, lace, and buttons; he was then paraded in the centre of six Trumpeters, who played the Rogues March down the line and then to the barrack gate, where he was dismissed. The heartened vagabond then took off his coat threw it at the Trumpeters, and ran off.
Captain Little Mounted on 'Chandler'
Captain James Lockhart Little; born Shabden Park, Reigate 14th November 1821. He was commissioned Ensign in the 40th Regiment of Foot 7 August 1840. Cornet 1st King’s Dragoon Guards on the 15th December 1840. Lieutenant 16th August 1842. Captain 31st March 1848. He was a small, dark, finely-built man, reputed to have a way with the women, and beautiful ‘hands’. Whilst serving in the King’s Dragoon Guards, he lost money in a bank failure and transferred to the less expensive 81st Foot Regiment 22nd March 1850. Retired from the service 20th June 1851
He was coached in the art of Steeplechase riding by Tom Olliver and lack of funds did not prevent him from acquiring a half-share in the horse ‘Chandler’ whom he rode to victory in the 1848 Grand National, beating the ‘Curate’ (ridden by Tom Olliver) by one and a half lengths in a driving finish. Later he bought the horse ‘Peter Simple’ from Finch Mason and with Tom Olliver up, the gritty Bay stayed home best to win the 1853 Grand National. Captain Little’s other good racing successes included the Worcester Grand Annual in 1847.
Steeplechasing at Liverpool dates from 1836 and a Grand National Steeplechase, sometimes styled the first Grand National was run at Maghull from 1836-1838. The Aintree course, which Mr William Lynn leased from the 2nd Earl of Sefton, was first used in 1839. The first National was a level-weights affair over 4 miles for gentlemen riders. There were 29 fences and the course was chiefly plough. The two great brooks were christened by riders who fell into them. Captain Becher was disunited from his mount ‘Conrad’ at Brook Number One in 1839 while Brook Number Two was named after Mr Power’s Irish horse ‘Valentine’. In 1843 the race became a Handicap and in 1847 was for the first time styled ‘The Grand National’.
''The Edinburgh Investigator'' Stop Press February 1841
Septuagenarian Trampled by 2nd Dragoon Guards Horse
An unfortunate accident took place on the 26th of September last when Robert Carfrae was badly injured by a Troop horse of the 2nd Dragoon Guards. The Commanding Officer of the regiment Lt Colonel Charles Kearney, told me: 'While the regiment was returning to barracks from watering exercise on Portobello Sands, one of the Troop horses became highly agitated and accidently knocked down and injured Mr Carfrae. He was taken back to Piershill Barracks by A Troop Sgt Major and his wounds were dressed at the regimental hospital. In addition, the Orderly Officer gave him a gratuity of five shillings. I should also add that the acccident was unavoidable and that the soldier who was leading the horse could not be held to blame'.
Major General Lord Greenwich the GOC, has been in correspondence with the War Office over the question of compensation as Mr Carfrae (70 years old) who was earning 25 Shillings per week, is now unable to work. I understand that a twenty pound annuity for the remainder of his life has been recommended by the War Office, but a decision is being held up by uncertainty in Whitehall as to which department should pay it.
Letter Dated February 4th 1899:
The Emperor, at Schonbrunn, to Queen Victoria:
Honoured and Dear Sister,
Your 1st Regiment of the King's Dragoon Guards has, through Colonel Wardrop, expressed the wish that the Austrian Eagle which in accordance with your gracious decision is worn by the regiment on their coat collars might hence forward also be worn by the non-commissioned officers on their sleeves. As i see in this desire of the glorious Regiment a most gratifying proof of sympathy, I may perhaps venture to recommend it for your glorious consideration.
I would add that, as the Regimental Sgt Major of the 'Greys' wears a Russian Medal and the Regimental Sgt Major of the 'Royals' a Prussian one, the King's Dragoon Guards have expressed a wish that their Regimental Sgt Major might also be decorated. Should you condescend to make an exception to the existing regulations, I should have the pleasure in conferring on that non-commissioned officer my 1st Class Silver Medal For Bravery.
With invariable attachment and veneration
Your sincerely devoted brother
Francis Josef
February 13th 1899:
Sir Arthur Bigge, The Queen's Private Secretary, to Commander-in-Chief
My Dear Lord Wolseley,
The Queen desires me to send you the enclosed copy of a translation of a letter received from the Emperor of Austria. Her Majesty has replied that she has much pleasure in granting permission asked for by the Emperor.
February 14th 1899:
Military Secretary to Sir Arthur Bigge
My Dear Bigge,
Lord Wolseley desires me to say that the necessary action will be taken without delay to give effect to Her Majesty's desires about the King's Dragoon Guards. I return the translation of the Emperor of Austria's letter, having kept a copy with which to work.
Yours sincerely
Coleridge Grove.
February 15th 1899:
Memorandum by M.S.
The Regulations respecting Foreign Medals would not allow of permission being granted for Sergeant Major James Barry, 1st Dragoon Guards, to accept and wear a Foreign Medal. Such permission is only given when a British subject has been employed by a Foreign Army by the commmand or sanction of Her Majesty's Government.
Nothing is known here, or in the Adjutant Generals Office, of permission having been granted to the Regimental Sgt Majors of the 2nd Dragoons and 1st Dragoons to wear Russian and Prussian medals respectively. It was proposed to confer a decoration on the Sergeant Major of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Scots Greys) as well as other members of the Deputation which proceeded to St Petersburg when the Emperor of Russia was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of that Regiment, but the Sergeant Major, being a Warrant Officer, was held to be ineligible for a Foreign Medal, vide 01 37/523.
Her Majesty, however, occasionally granted private permission to individuals to accept and wear Decorations though their cases did come within the Regulations, it is presumed that such permission was given in the cases referred to.
February 18th 1899:
General Paar (Vienna) to Colonel Wardrop
Honoured Colonel.
Her Majesty, The Queen of Great Britain, has been pleased to sanction the wearing of the Austrian Eagle on the sleeve ornaments of the non-commissioned officers of the 1st King's Dragoon Guards. Further His Royal and Imperial Apostolic Majesty has, with the sanction of Her Majesty, conferred the accompanying Silver Medal for Bravery, of the 1st Class of the Eagle, on Regimental Sgt Major James Barry, of the above regiment. In having the honour to inform you of this, I beg you to accept the expression of my most perfect respect.
Paar, General
VIENNA
February 20th, 1899
Sir :-
I have the honour to forward, herewith, for the favour of transmission to the Secretary of State for War, a letter which I have received from His Excellency General Graf Paar, personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty, stating that Her Majesty, the Queen, has sanctioned the wearing of the badge of the Austrian Eagle on the arm of the non-commissioned officers of the King's Dragoon Guards, and further that the regimental Sergeant Major James Barry, may accept and wear the "Silberne Tapferkeits Medaille " (1st Class) which I herewith enclose.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) F.M. Wardrop,
Colonel, Military Attaché
March 10th 1899:
Foreign Office to Under Secretary of State, War Office,
With referance to your letter of 20th ultimo, I am directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquess of Lansdowne, a copy of a despatch from her Majesty's Ambassador at Vienna, enclosing the ''Silberne-Tapferkeits-Medaille'' which has been conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, upon James Barry, Sergeant Major, 1st King's Dragoon Guards and i am to request that you will move Lord Landsdowne to cause the medal to be forwarded to Mr Barry.
March 16th 1899:
M.S. to Adjutant General.
Please say whether this medal is to be worn on the left breast and regarded as a 'Foreign Medal'
C Crutchley
March 23rd 1899:
A.A.G. to O.6.
Medals are worn by soldiers in the manner prescribed for officers in dress regulations, i.e. worn on the left breast and in the order shewn on enclosed list-recently sanctioned by the Prince of Wales. I think it may be taken as a 'Foreign Decoration'.
C.S. Beckett
Buletin Military Historical Society. February 1972:
An Award From The All-Highest, by Major A.F. Flatow
During the latter years of the reign of Queen Victoria, the foreign custom of appointing ruling Sovereigns as Colonels-in-Chief to British regiments was introduced. Both the Queen and the Prince of Wales had for a number of years been Colonels of the German 1st Dragoon Guards and the 5th Blücher Hussars respectively. Queen Victoria appointed Tsar Nicholas II of Russia Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys on 8th December, 1894 and on 25th March, 1896, His Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and King of Hungary became Colonel of the King's Dragoon Guards.
The Emperor kept in close touch with his regiment and there were numerous official excursions to Vienna by officers of the unit from that date up to 1914, when of course the appointment was abruptly terminated. As was the custom of those days, the visitors were usually decorated by the Emperor – generally with a grade of Iron Crown – for which Royal permission to wear was always granted.
The group which we show here, however, is to a warrant officers and without research a collector would be justified in thinking that the foreign medal could not possibly belong to this typical late Victorian group. The Zulu and Long Service and Good Conduct Medals are named respectively to Corporal and Squadron Sergeant Major J. Barry, KDG. Barry left the regiment as Regimental Sergeant Major in 1899 on being commissioned Lieutenant Quartermaster in the Remount Establishment, with whom he earned his two South African Medals. The Austrian Silver Medal, with the head of Franz Josef and the words Für Tapferkeit on the reverse, is the First Class Medal for Bravery.
In order to try to confirm the award of this latter medal recourse was made to the Austrian War Archives in Vienna, their comprehensive and helpful reply exceeded all expectations. They confirmed that this medal had been awarded to R.S.M. James Barry "... following a decision of the All-Highest on the 18th February, 1899." And they went on to add "...it is not however possible to ascertain as to why on that particular date the award was decreed but the reason for a bravery award is made quite clear: in the submission of the Adjutant-General to the Military Chancery of His Majesty it is stated, 'Took part in the campaign against the Zulus.' Similar cases are known where Emperor Franz Josef awarded bravery medals to foreign N.C.O's (and men) where previously they had only received campaign medals."
