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Friday 12th March 2010

History and Research

Regimental Museum

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Recent Acquisitions

Below are some recent acquisitions that have either been purchased, or donated to the museum.

A pair of cased antique pistols. (Purchased)

The pistols have 8.25’’ barrels of 0.65’’ (carbine) bore engraved along the top flap JA’S WILKINSON&SONS LONDON GUNMAKERS TO HIS MAJESTY. There is a single gold line at the breech and the barrel tang has engraved decoration. A steel ramrod is secured by a stirrup for security. The stocks are walnut with a horn for-end cap and finely chequered butts inlaid with an escutcheon engraved with the crest SAYER. The trigger guard has engraved decoration, retaining some original blued finish. Lockplates with a sliding safety catches, engraved decoration and signed JA’S WILKINSON&SONS.

The pistols are contained in their original green baize lined mahogany case with illustrated trade label and with various accessories including powder flask, nipple wrench, screwdriver, loading/cleaning rod and 18 bore bullet mould.

The brass carrying handle/ escutcheon is engraved J R S Sayer ESQr THE KING’S DRAGOON GUARDS. The serial number 3065 is stamped beneath the barrels which gives a date of manufacture of 1824. The pistols were subsequently returned to Wilkinsons who converted them to the percussion system and modernised the case by applying a current (VICTORIAN) trade label.

1st King's Dragoon Guards officers full dress Coatee c1820. (Donated)

In scarlet cloth with navy facings, having gold-coloured thread embroidered chevrons to the sleeves and front, gilt brass buttons, with detachable epaulette, aiguillette and picks.

This frock coat was originally worn by Lieutenant John Nembard Hibbert who served in the regiment from 1813 to 1826. The museum Trustees are extremely grateful to Lt Colonel J F Hibbert (Ret'd Light Infantry) who so generously donated this fine piece of regimental history to the museum

1st King's Dragoon Guards officers bicorn hat. (Purchased)

The bicorn hat was worn in levee dress with silk breeches. With red and white feather cockade, by Moore, Old Bond Street, London. Contained in a wooden hat box, the box inscribed 'Captain Hibbert, 1 Drn Gds'. This exquisite and very important piece of regimental history was purchased by the trustees for the museum. The trustees are extremely grateful to the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund for their assistance in helping us to achieve the purchase of this hat.

A rare Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) officers patrol jacket. (Purchased)

In black cloth with black piping and sheep's wool collar and cuffs, with scarlet quarter tunic liner. This jacket was once worn by Lieutenant R F Hibbert of the Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) who served in the regiment from 1879-1886. He also served in the Sudan campaign of 1882.

Lt R F Hibbert. Enlisted 13th August 1879.

Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) officers stable tunic c 1880. (Purchased)

In scarlet cloth with brass buttons. On the left sleeve is a cloth Bays badge.

Queen's Bays Officers Mess dress c1880 worn by Lieutenant R F Hibbert. (Purchased)

Set of five medals to Captain J T North Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) (Donated)

Order of The British Empire (Military)

Queen's South Africa Medal clasps. Cape Coloney, Orange Free State, Transavaal, SA02

1914-15 Star. British war Medal. Victory Medal

Set of three medals to 6473 Shoe Smith R W Sims King's Dragoon Guards. (Donated)

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Also includes Regimental Badge

Set of eight medals to Captain J Cumming Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) (Donated)

Military Cross

1939-45 Star. Africa Star. Italy Star

Britis War Medal 1939-45. Victory Medal oak leaf MID

General Service Medal bar Palestine 1945-48

Bronze Star (American)

Set of six medals to D-8815 Farrier/Sgt John Fisher King's Dragoon Guards. (Donated)

1914-15 Star . British War Medal. Victory Medal.

Indian General Service Medal bar Afghanistan 1919. General Service Medal bar Iraq.

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

A very fine portrait of Lieutenant Robert Blair. Victoria Cross. (Donated)

Robert Blair exchanged his commission into the Queen’s Bays on the 20^th December 1856 coming from the 9^th Queen’s Royal Lancers. He served in the Indian Mutiny and was present at the siege of Delhi where is horse was killed under him. On the 28^th December 1857 Lt Blair was in charge of a serjeant and twelve men sent out to bring in an empty ammunition wagon. On nearing the wagon Blair’s troop was surrounded by up to sixty rebels. Without a moments hesitation Blair formed up his Troop and charged the enemy cutting their way through without loss and killing nine of the enemy in the process. Blair personally killed four and was about to engage a native officer with his sword when he was struck across the shoulder by his desperate victim almost severing the shoulder joint. Blair was in some difficulty at this point when Private Patrick Donohoe, 9^th Lancers, came to his assistance, and with the help of others managed to extract Blair and themselves to safety.

Blair was taken to Meerut Hospital where he appeared to make a full recovery.

Medals of Regimental Sgt Major James Barry. 1st Dragoon Guards (Purchased)

MEDAL GROUP: South Africa Medal 1877-1879 clasp 1879: Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal: King's South Africa Medal 1901-1902 clasps SA1901, SA1902: LS&GC Medal Victorian Issue, 2nd Type with swivelling scroll suspension: Bravery Medal Austria 1st Class, in Silver. Inscribed 'Der Tapferkeit' on reverse.

James Barry served as a Lance Corporal with the 1st Dragoon Guards in the Zulu War of 1879, and went on to become the RSM circa 1898. During his term as a senior rank he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by Emperor Franz Josef of Austria who was Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment (1896-1915). In 1901 he was appointed to command the Arborfield Remount Depot. He was subsequently employed on remount duties in South Africa during the Boer war.

In 1914 Captain Barry is believed to have gone to America as a remount purchasing officer. The King's South Africa Medal is very rare to the 1st Dragoon Guards, and there are thought to be only two Austrian Silver Bravery Medals awarded to the KDG by Emperor Franz Josef

Letter Dated 4th February 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 symapthy, 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

A series of twelve letters signed by Thomas Barlow, Regimental Sgt Major 1st King's Dragoon Guards (Purchased)

Letters to his ''Dear and Loving Wife'' Betsey who was residing at Bradford in Yorkshire. In some of the letters RSM Barlow gives a detailed account of the campaign (some of the letters are cross-written) and of the Battle itself on the 18th June. Thomas Barlow was one of only 15 men left in action at the end of the day out of a total of 570 men who had paraded on the morning of the battle. The Barlow letters are a significant part of our regimental history and will greatly compliment material already stored in the archives that has come to light and been collected over the years, in the form of a series of medals, documents and letters written by members of the regiment who served during the campaign. They range from Captain James Naylor’s Troop diary, to letters written home by Lt Hibbert, Troop Sgt Major Page, Sergeant John Adams, Corporal Stubbings, Private Charles Stanley, and a poem written by Trumpeter Samuel Wheeler. However the Barlow letters from his standing as Regimental Sgt Major, will for the first time will give us an insight to what happened to the regiment in the days prior to the battle. More importantly we will also to for the first time be able to read a detailed account of the regiment’s involvement throughout days of the 16th-18th June. The Trustees are extremely grateful to the Friends Of The National Libraries for their assistance in helping us to achieve the purchase of the letters.

A photograph album dated 1857-1868.

The album contains many photographs of King’s Dragoon Guards officers, their wives, and officers of several other regiments during this period. The album belonged to Major J E Edlmann who served in the regiment from 1851 to 1868. The album was donated by his 95 year old grandson Lt Colonel E L C Edlmann on the 6th August 2009.

From L to R: H Baring 17th Lancers: G Tompkinson 8th Hussars: J E Edlmann KDG: R Hale 7th Hussars. Canterbury 1857

From L to R: G Dowbiggin 7th DG: W Babington 7th Hussars: R Renshaw Queens Bays: A Gooch 17th Lancers: Canterbury 1857

Canterbury 1857 Canterbury 1857

Arthur Gooch 17th Lancers Chas bis Royston 7th Hussars

Canterbury 1857 Canterbury 1857

Charles Baillie 7th Hussars Arthur Vincent 7th D G

Canterbury 1858 Canterbury 1858

R Elliot KDG That Scoundrel Goodmark 'Horsedealer'

Canterbury 1857 Canterbury 1857

Hume Nichole 7th D G Robert Hale 7th Hussars

Canterbury 1857 Canterbury 1858

Richard Renshaw Queen's Bays Robert Thomson KDG

Canterbury 1857 Bangalore 1860

Chas Chichester Newton 7th DG L to R: HM Sidney. E Bradbury. R H Crewe KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

Doctor and Mrs Jephson KDG RAL Grews KDG: Sir Thos Gresley Bt KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

George Paynter KDG W C Wingfield KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

Charles Hubback KDG Colonel Thomas Pattle KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

H Alexander KDG H M Sidney KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

James Gunter KDG Moonshee and Captain H D Slade KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

Walter C Wingfield KDG E Bradbury KDG

Bangalore 1860 Ootacamund 1860

F Delany KDG A Hickman 60th Rifles

Bangalore 1861 Bangalore 1861

Colonel ???? Madras Artillery R H Crewe KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

Robert Burton Madras Fusiliers Brigadier Pole 12th Lancers

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

A B Hankey 83rd Regiment B B Forsyth 60th Rifles

Ootacamund 1860 Bangalore 1860

A Hickman 60th Rifles Major and Mrs Nesbit KDG

Bangalore 1860 Bangalore 1860

H D Slade KDG W Artuthnoh Rifle Bge. G A Artuthnoh 8th Madras Lt Cavalry

Coventry 1868 Bangalore 1860

Sergeant Brewer KDG Bankes 7th Hussars KIA

Cricket Team Bangalore 1863. L to R: Cleland 102nd REgt: Edlmann KDG: Woors KDG: Henderson Dr: Rogers 102nd Regt: Kenney Madras Cavalry: Logan Staff Corps: Cox 60th Regt: Ashe KDG: Day 66th Regt: Holyoake KDG: Beckett KDG: Nutting KDG: