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 20th December 1856 coming from the 9th 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 28th 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, 9th 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
