The Battle of Kentish Knock, 28th September 1652 - General at Sea.

 

In the previous post to this one Capt. Steve laid out his plans to refight the Battle of Kentish Knock, using General at Sea, together with links to the background to this battle, and his orders of battle for the respective fleets, see the link below for that post.

JJ's Wargames - The Battle of Kentish Knock, Planning and Preparation

In the wake of the Battle of Goodwin Sands on the 19th May 1652, which Steve played in November last year, and a summer of failed initiatives and significant fleet losses due to storms in the North Sea, political pressure from his opponents, who criticized his management of the war, forced Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Tromp’s resignation, and he was replaced as commander of the Dutch fleet by Vice-Admiral Witte Corneliszoon de With.

Vice-Admiral Witte Corneliszoon de With.

The appointment was unpopular because de With was a republican whereas most of the fleet were Orangist in sympathy, and this fact together a fearsome reputation for severity likely caused the officers and crew of Tromp's old flagship the Brederode to refuse to allow de With to move his flag to it, forcing him to use the East Indiaman Prins Willem as his flagship instead.

The Brederode off Hellevoetsluis - Simon de Vlieger
Two Dutch warships are shown off Hellevoetsluis, together with other shipping. On the left is a vice-admiral's flagship, in port and stern view, flying the Dutch flag. The principal ship on the right is probably the 'Brederode', shown in port and stern view. Built in 1645, she was Maarten Tromp's flagship, in which he was killed at the Battle of Scheveningen in 1653.

Having no experience of the superiority of English firepower, de With's strategy was more aggressive than Tromp's, and thus against the advice of his officers, he decided to confront the English fleet and attempt to clear it from the Straits of Dover in order to safeguard the Channel for Dutch commerce. 

Battle sites from the First Anglo-Dutch War in the English Channel and North Sea, showing the position of the battle of Kentish Knock fought in 1652.

After joining forces with de Ruyter's squadron, the Dutch fleet of about sixty-two ships set sail from Schoonveld on 25th September to seek out the English.

A possible depiction of the battle of Kentish Knock by Abraham Willaerts (detail)
with the powerful Sovereign on the left

General-at-Sea Robert Blake's fleet of sixty-eight ships, including the powerful 90-gun Sovereign (formerly named Sovereign of the Seas ) and the 80-gun Resolution (formerly the Prince Royal ) was stationed at the Downs anchorage when de With sailed to confront it. 

General-at-Sea Robert Blake

The most powerful Dutch ships were de With's flagship Prins Willem (56-guns) and Tromp's former flagship the Brederode (54-guns). As soon as it set sail, the Dutch fleet ran into storms which continued for several days, and the Dutch were obliged to ride out the rough weather in the open sea, which scattered their fleet and damaged several ships. 

Steve's summary of the two fleets as represented in the game. Bearing in mind
that General at Sea models three to four actual ships represented by a model
stand, a more detailed order or battle showing the ships represented by each
 model stand can be found in the Prep & Planning post for this game, linked above.

On the 28th September, when the weather moderated, Blake transferred his flag from the powerful but unwieldy Sovereign to the more manoeuvrable Resolution and ordered his ships to put to sea; and the English fleet sailed north out of the Downs to confront the Dutch near the Kentish Knock, a sandbank in the Thames Estuary.

In the pictures below Steve has the English and Dutch fleets arrayed for battle as laid out in the scenario plan above - let battle commence!

The English squadrons of Blake and Penn are seen here heading north at full sail to engage whilst the daylight holds, but their speed means they are unable to take regular soundings and are thus unaware of the shoal ahead. Note Rear Admiral Nehemiah Bourne's squadron is off table to the south.

The Dutch fleet are arrayed in the their traditional formation with squadron leaders being supported on their flanks and rear to facilitate their board and burn tactics, and on a westerly heading, beating into wind.

Turns 1 & 2

Blake has the initiative in Turn 1 and moves first, which sees Penn's stand run aground as expected, but surprisingly the Sovereign does not. In the meantime the Dutch advance at their best speed into wind, but the end of the turn leaves both fleets out of engagement range.

Penn's squadron heaves to and begins to drift downwind (away from camera), as Blake's squadron sails past whilst the Dutch close.

At the end of Turn 2, Penn's squadron heaves to and begins to drift downwind (away from camera), seeing Penn's stand managing to get off the shoal but leaving it disorganised, as Blake's squadron sails past as the Dutch close.

Admiral Sir William Penn - Peter Lely
Sir William Penn (1621–1670) was a prominent English admiral and politician
 who played a key role in the navy during the English Civil War, Commonwealth,
and Restoration, notably capturing Jamaica in 1655.
He was a highly successful commander in the Anglo-Dutch Wars
and father to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.

Turn 3

Battle commences as Penn's squadron remains hove to whilst his command stand recovers from disruption following the grounding, covered by Blake's squadron which has opened fire at long range, to no effect.

Blake's squadron opens long rang fire on the approaching Dutch and covers his comrade, Vice Admiral William Penn, as he recovers his disruption from the grounding on the sandbank, whilst the rest of his squadron is hove to.

Turn 4

As the lead ships of Rear Admiral Nehemiah Bourne's squadron enter the table from the south east, De Ruyter can be seen tacking his squadron south, that left him with two stands disrupted, but seeing him manage to recover his own.

Rear Admiral Nehemiah Bourne's squadron enter the table from the south east, as De Ruyter can be seen tacking his squadron south.

Blake opens fire again at de With, but again with no effect, as Penn gets control of his squadron and alters course to fall in behind Blake.

Turn 5 

De With has tacked but three stands in his squadron are disrupted by the manoeuvre. Ineffective long range fire continues between the two forces, as de Ruyter and Evertsen begin to converge on Bourne's leading stands.

De With has tacked but three stands in his squadron are disrupted by the manoeuvre, this as de Ruyter and Evertsen begin to converge on Bourne's leading stands.

Turn 6

The combat becomes general across the two fleets, as Bourne's leading stand can be seen (top centre right) having turned to starboard with the wind and raked one of de Ruyter's lead stands, causing a 'level 1' damage, but seeing it recover from the disruption.

Meanwhile Penn has turned his squadron to commence a flank attack on de With, as Blake turns in parallel to attack de With's rear.

Bourne's leading stand can be seen having turned to starboard with the wind and raked one of de Ruyter's lead stands, causing a 'level 1' damage.

Turn 7

The battle becomes fierce between de With and the now combined attack by Penn and Blake with the former delivering and receiving disruptions in a close exchange of broadsides, seeing both sides recover, but leaving one stand in de Wildt's squadron badly mauled by Blake.

Turn 7 and the battle has become general as Blake nearer to camera mauls a stand in de Wildt's squadron, as the exchanges intensify between de With and Penn in the centre of the picture and top left between de Ruyter, Evertsen and Bourne.

Ahead of the fight between de With, Penn, the clash between De Ruyter, Evertsen and Bourne intensifies as raking attacks cause further level 1 damage effects and disruptions to both sides.

Turn 8

One of de Wildt's stands is scattered by the fierce attack by Blake, but the squadron manages to pass its reaction test. In support of Blake, Penn presses his attack by stern raking de With leaving the Dutch commander disrupted. 

De Wildt's scattered stand, centre, is battered into submission by the big English ships under Blake as Penn, in the centre of the picture, bores in on the stern galleries of de With raking and disrupting the Dutch C-in-C. Top left, the other fierce close contest is well underway between Bourne, Evertsen and de Ruyter.

Bourne is now closely engaged by de Ruyer and Evertsen that has caused several stands to become damaged and disrupted.

A fierce battle has developed between Bourne, Evertsen and de Ruyter with shot splashes and wreckage markers indicating the damage and disruption to both sides caused by the close exchanges and rakes.

Turn 9

The battering of de Wildt's squadron by Blake reaches a climax as the Dutch squadron is taken apart, seeing his scattered stand forced to surrender, and his command stand disrupted and damaged.

De Wildt's squadron has been battered by Blake forcing his scattered stand to surrender, and leaving his command stand disrupted and damaged.

Meanwhile the struggle between Bourne, Evertsen and de Ruyter continues with the ferocity of the previous turns but revealing the smaller Dutch ships struggling to harm their larger English opponents.

Fierce exchanges continue between  Bourne, Evertsen and de Ruyter, but the smaller Dutch ships are struggling to inflict significant damage to their larger English opponents.

Turn 11

It's the end for de Wildt's squadron as his own command stand is scattered and so is his squadron.

The end for de Wildt's squadron, and the firing has ceased, as his own command stand is scattered and so is his squadron which is now keen to break contact.

However the Dutch fight on, just, as Evertsen manages to cause one of Bourne's stands to scatter and then surrender.

Evertsen manages to cause one of Bourne's stands to scatter and then surrender, seen here amid shot splashes and wrecked rigging, and surrounded by Dutch men-of-war.

Turn 12

With the collapse of de Wildt's squadron, the Dutch are in full retreat east and home, pursued by the jubilant English, who have recovered their surrendered stand.

Nightfall comes to the aid of the Dutch fleet as it breaks contact in the dark and limps home.

Here are Steve's observations on his re-fight of the Kentish Knock:

Overall, a historical result. De With’s change of course to attack Bourne went well at first but the Dutch ships were unable to damage the English. At one point an English stand was surrounded by four Dutchmen but its DF value of 10 outweighed their individual BF values of 8 and less.

Penn was very lucky. His stand grounded but got free the next turn whilst the Sovereign did not go aground at all. However, he could not get the Sovereign into action because she was blocked by other stands.

De With was unable to make use of his fireships because of several factors: 

• the English were upwind and fireships cannot be send directly into the wind; 
• the English were undamaged and fireships are only really effective against damaged stands;
• and finally not enough command points to initiate a fireship attack.

Now for Dungeness.

Thankyou to Steve for an enthralling game and the pictures he sent me to accompany the report, I hope like me you enjoyed the read.

The Battle of Dungeness is 30 November 1652

In the next Anglo-Dutch War post Steve will look at the planning and preparation for Dungeness, the fleet listings together with another post battle report.

As always, more anon.

JJ

The Battle of Kentish Knock, 28th September 1652, Game Plan and Preparation - General at Sea.

It was back in November last year that Captain Steve concluded 2025 with a refight of the Battle of Dover, a.k.a. Goodwin Sands, 19th May 1652, link below with links to the other AAR's by Steve, using the rules General at Sea by Iain Stanford and published by the Pike and Shot Society, with Steve incorporating some, yet to be published, updates to the rules composed by Iain since their publication.

JJ's Wargames - The Battle of Dover

Steve is now preparing to recommence his series of games with refights of the battles of Kentish Knock, 28th September 1652 and Dungeness fought on the 30th November 1652, and has sent me an outline of his plans for these games together with some historical background and I thought I would share the plans for the first of those battles, Kentish Knock, as a preamble to some forthcoming AARs.

Battle sites from the First Anglo-Dutch War in the English Channel and North Sea, showing the positions of the two upcoming featured battles of Kentish Knock and Dungeness fought in 1652.

So over to Steve and his commentary about his planning to replay the Battle of Kentish Knock.

Steve's fleets go toe-to-toe in his refight of the Battle of Dover.

The Battle of Kentish Knock

I am now getting ready for my next Anglo-Dutch game, this time featuring one of my favourite actions the Battle of the Kentish Knock. 

My interest is due to two factors:

1. This is the first time that the Sovereign of the Seas (just Sovereign under the Commonwealth) goes into battle and plays a decisive part in the English victory.

Known by the Dutch as the 'golden devil', on account of her all black and gold appearance, 'Sovereign of the Seas' was the most magnificent ship of her era. Designed in 1634 by Phineas Pett she was the first ship to have three full gun decks, carrying 102 guns on the orders of King Charles I instead of the 90 originally planned. No expense was spared in her construction. All her guns were made from bronze instead of cast iron which meant they were much lighter but four times more expensive. Most impressive was her gilded and carved decoration costing over £6600, equivalent to the cost of the hull for a two decked ship. Her first engagement was the Battle of Kentish Knock during the First Dutch War on 28 September 1652 when it is alleged she destroyed a Dutch ship with a single broadside.

 2.  I feel that Witte de With has been given a hard time by historians. Yes, he had a massive chip on his shoulder all his life and was a nightmare as a colleague and commander. However, he was an excellent tactician, second only to Tromp, and he came so close to a stunning victory over Blake with an inferior fleet.

Not an entirely satisfactory map of the battle. This is the closest I have found, but even this has a mistake – de Ruyter should be leading with de With in the centre.

His decision to tack his entire fleet when in contact with the enemy is unique to my knowledge and allowed him to come within an inch of destroying the English rear squadron. He was foiled by the English managing to get Sovereign and James off the Kentish Knock shoal and launch a devastating flank attack and the disaffection of part of his fleet because the Zealanders did not want to be commanded by an Admiral from Holland and definitely not de With and the 'Orangists', disliked by all Republicans. They were definitely not a “band of brothers”.

The accounts of the action as described on Wikipedia and the BCW Project Page.

https://bcw-project.org.uk/military/first-anglo-dutch-war/kentish-knock

Blake is an exceptional commander, but de Ruyter is not because he is only commanding the van squadron.

The English Fleet - William Penn's Squadron.
Note on the Ship Stats: Combat Value (CV). Dependent on the number and rate of ships included in the stand. Shooting Factor (SF). This is found by dividing the Weight of Broadside (lbs) by 50. Fractions of 0.5 and over are rounded up and below 0.5 being rounded down. Boarding Factor (BF).This is found by dividing the number of Crew (men) by 100. Fractions of 0.5 and over are rounded up and below 0.5 being rounded down. Defence Factor (DF). This is found by dividing the Ships Tonnage by 200. Fractions of 0.5 and over are rounded up and below 0.5 being rounded down.

In his impatience to get into action, Blake has rushed out of the Downs in no order and had to wait for Penn and the rest of his squadron to catch up. The New Englander, Nehemiah Bourne, who came to Blake’s rescue at Dover, is far behind the rest of his fleet and will start to enter on the third turn. Blake’s mistake in not concentrating his fleet gave de With the chance to destroy Bourne and he seized it. 

The English Fleet - Robert Blake's Squadron

Iain and I have agreed to amend the rules on tacking – a stand will complete its tack, but should it fail the test, it will become disorganised. This follows a game we played about twelve years ago when my poor dice throwing resulted in the whole Dutch fleet heading backwards! We agreed that this was unrealistic and the chance of becoming disorganised was a sufficient deterrent to anyone wishing to copy de With’s manoeuvre.

The English Fleet - Nerimiah Bourne's Squadron

Whilst morale in the Dutch fleet was poor, I have made them average because they were still highly competent to complete complex seamanship etc – it was that they were not particularly enthusiastic, especially those who – unlike de With - had been at Dover and Plymouth and had experienced English firepower.

The Dutch Fleet - Michiel de Ruyter's Squadron

In the accounts, although the Dutch had been divided into four squadrons before the battle, after the gale there only seems to have been only three and no mention of the Zealanders. They may have hung back and not been observed by the English or were spread amongst the other squadrons. I have chosen to keep them as a separate allied squadron with poor morale, and this should mean that they will stay to the leeward of the fleet, avoiding action, as happened in the real battle.

The Dutch Fleet - Witte Corneliszoon de With's Squadron

As the shoal is directly in front of Penn’s squadron, it is highly likely that the first and second-rates will go aground. The key to the game will be whether they can be refloated in time to launch the flank attack. Also, whilst they are stuck on the shoal, they are a tempting target for a fireship attack.

The Dutch Fleet - Gideon de Wildt's Squadron

The Dutch Fleet - Cornelis Evertsen the Elder's Squadron

The action started in the late afternoon and is limited to 12 turns before nightfall.

Steve's game plan. Note the shoal squares directly ahead of Penn's squadron, which has the potential to cause the English fleet some serious issues.

If you were following Steve's games from last year you will know he has a marvellous collection of Langton fully rigged and detailed Anglo-Dutch 1:1200 models and I am very much looking forward to presenting this and the Dungeness games in future posts together with a similar run through of Steve's plans to refight Dungeness.

As always, more anon.

JJ

Lance-Corporal Robert Kells VC, 9th Queen's Lancers in the Indian Mutiny, 1857 -1858.

 

Robert William Kells was born on the 7th April 1832, in Meerut, the son of a soldier serving in India, and was a boy soldier in the 9th Lancers at the age of 12 years and 9 months. 

A trooper of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, c1822

He was at the battles of Chillianwallah and Gujrat when aged 17, and he fought throughout the Indian Mutiny as a lance-corporal, and gazetted for the Victoria Cross on the 24th December 1858, but did not receive his medal until 1860 when it was presented to him at Allahabad. 

Charge of the 3rd Kings Own Light Dragoons at the Battle of Chillianwala on the 13th of January, 1849, the first major battle of Second Sikh War (1848-49).

At the Battle of Chillianwala, the first major battle of Second Sikh War, the 9th Lancers first saw significant action, where they formed part of Brigadier Richard Pope's cavalry brigade on the right flank of the British line. 

The Battle of Chillianwallah on 13th January 1849 during the Second Sikh War: map by John Fawkes.
The 9th Lancers can be seen deployed on the extreme right flank of the British line.

Amid the dense scrub and jungle terrain, the lancers advanced in support of the infantry assault against entrenched Sikh artillery and infantry positions held by Sher Singh's army of around 30,000 troops, and as a trooper, Kells participated in the disordered cavalry manoeuvres that followed the initial British advance, contributing to efforts to counter Sikh cavalry counterattacks and protect the brigade's horse artillery, though the engagement ended inconclusively with heavy casualties on both sides. The regiment suffered losses but earned the battle honour "Chillianwala" for its role in the fierce fighting.

British 3rd King’s Light Dragoons at the Battle of Gujerat on 21st February 1849 during the Second Sikh War.
The 3rd KLD were brigaded alongside the 9th Lancers on the British left flank.

Following the tactical draw at Chillianwala, the 9th Lancers pursued the retreating Sikh forces and played a pivotal role in the decisive Battle of Gujrat on 21 February 1849. 

The Battle of Goojerat (Gujrat) on 21st February 1849 during the Second Sikh War: map by John Fawkes. The 9th Lancers are on the British left flank facing the bulk of the Sikh cavalry.

Positioned in the cavalry reserve, the lancers executed a successful charge against the Sikh right wing, breaking through enemy infantry squares and artillery batteries defended by approximately 20,000 troops under Sher Singh. Kells, still a teenager, took part in this mounted assault, which helped shatter the Sikh line and contributed to the rout of their army, effectively ending the Second Anglo-Sikh War and leading to the annexation of the Punjab.

A 1912 map showing the centres of the 1857 Indian Rebellion

The Indian Mutiny, also known as the Sepoy Rebellion, erupted in 1857 as a widespread uprising against British rule in India, beginning with sepoys of the Bengal Army and spreading to civilian populations. 

Hot climate uniform for the 9th Lancers was all white, trousers,
shell jacket and cap cover. Illustration by Pierre Turner,
based on the watercolour sketches made by Captain Roger Dawson Upton
 of the 9th Lancers during the Indian Mutiny.

The 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, stationed in India, played a key role in suppressing the rebellion, participating in major operations including the siege and capture of Delhi, the relief of Lucknow, and pursuits into the Doab region between the Yamuna and Ganges rivers. 

The year 1858 marked the final, decisive phase of the British suppression of the Indian Rebellion (or Indian Mutiny) in the crucial, heavily contested region of Oudh (Lucknow) and Cawnpore (Kanpur). Following the shocking massacres at Cawnpore in July 1857 and the initial, costly relief of the Lucknow Residency in November 1857. The year 1858 saw the systematic recapture of these areas by British forces under Sir Colin Campbell.

One eye witness of the 9th Lancers during these actions was Bugler Johnson of the 52nd LI, writing in 1901, and says that khaki uniform became general throughout the British troops during the Mutiny…except for the 9th Lancers. ‘Sir Hope Grant brought them into action in white when I lay before Delhi’. Mounted men carrying lances, it seems, were conspicuous enough, so dressing them in white would have made no difference.

Under Colonel Edward Greathed's flying column, the regiment advanced southeast from Delhi to confront rebel forces, engaging in skirmishes that helped secure British control over key territories.

The action at Bulandshahr, fought on 28th September 1857, at which corporal Robert Kells, 9th Lancers was awarded the Victoria Cross, for gallantry above and beyond. The charge of the 9th Lancers drove the mutineers into the streets of the city behind the mutineers line, in which Captain Drysdale's horse was shot, leaving Drysdale disabled with a broken collarbone.

On the 28th September 1857, during the action at Bulandshahr (also spelled Bolundshahr), approximately 50 miles southeast of Delhi, Lance-Corporal Robert Kells of the 9th Lancers acted as orderly to Captain William Drysdale, who led a charge against rebel positions held by Nawab Walidad Khan's forces. 

Lieutenant Colonel William Drysdale in the field officer’s uniform of
the 9th Lancers (blue tunic with a small red plastron on the upper chest)
with an embroidered crown badge on each side of his collar,
denoting the rank of lieutenant-colonel at that time. He has medals
for each of the Sikh Wars, the Punniar Star and a medal for the Indian Mutiny
 with two clasps. Also he has the insignia of a Companion to the Order of the Bath
 (CB, later elevated to KCB).

As the British columns fought at a crossroads outside the town and within its streets, Drysdale's horse was shot from under him, throwing him to the ground with a broken collarbone and leaving him vulnerable amid advancing mutineers. 

Kells, along with Private John Jordan, immediately halted their horses, dismounted, and defended Drysdale against the enemy sepoys closing in, holding them at bay with sword and pistol until reinforcements arrived; Jordan was mortally wounded in the effort. This act of bravery occurred amid intense street fighting that ultimately secured Bulandshahr, allowing Greathed's column to press onward to Agra.

The 9th Queen's Lancers were awarded fourteen Victoria Crosses in the Indian Mutiny. Alongside Robert Kells was sergeant Henry Hartigan VC awarded the Victoria Cross for two actions of daring and distinguished gallantry in the following instances: 

At the battle of Budle-ke Serai, near Delhi, on the 8th June, 1857, in going to the assistance of Serjeant H. Helstone, who was wounded, dismounted, and surrounded by the enemy, and at the risk of his own life, carrying him to the rear. On the 10th October 1857, at Agra, in having run unarmed to the assistance of Serjeant Crews, who was attacked by four rebels. Hartigan caught a tulwar, from one of them with his right hand, and with the other hit him on the mouth, disarmed him, and then defended himself against the other three, killing one and wounding two, when he was himself disabled from further service by severe and dangerous wounds. Hartigan recovered from his wounds and was presented with his Victoria Cross by Lady Hersey at Fort William, Calcutta on Christmas Eve, 1860.

Kells' heroism was recognized in a despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, dated 8th April 1858, which detailed the valour shown by British troops in the Mutiny campaigns. The official citation, published in The London Gazette on 24th December 1858, stated: 

"For conspicuous bravery at Bolundshahur, on the 28th of September, 1857, in defending against a number of the enemy his commanding officer, Captain Drysdale, who was lying in a street with his collar-bone broken, his horse having been disabled by a shot, and remaining with him until out of danger."

Trumpet Major R.W. Kells VC, 9th Lancers
These are his miniatures, worn on mess dress, bought for me quite a few years ago at auction by my Dad. The VC at centre, the Indian Mutiny medal with the red and white ribbon carries the clasps "Delhi" - "Relief of Lucknow" - "Lucknow", whilst the Punjab medal with the blue and yellow ribbon carries the clasps "Chilianwana" - "Goojerat".

The 9th Lancers had returned to England but Kells stayed in India, having transferred to the 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry, and this regiment became the 19th Hussars which he served in with the rank of sergeant until he had a fall from his horse, and being sick from disease, was discharged at Benares on the 14th November 1868, after more than two decades of service since enlisting as a boy soldier in 1844, moving to England, a country he had never visited, and lived in Blackfriars Road, London.

Robert Kells as a Yeoman of the Queen's Bodyguard, with his 
VC proudly displayed with the Punjab medal to its left and the Indian Mutiny
medal to its right.

Following his retirement from active military service in 1868, Robert Kells was appointed as a Yeoman of the Queen's Bodyguard on 1st January 1881, serving under Queen Victoria. This prestigious role was part of the Yeomen of the Guard, an ancient ceremonial bodyguard unit based at the Tower of London, reserved for retired warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of distinguished service. 

Medal entitlement of Sergeant Robert Kells, 9th ( Queen's Royal ) Lancers.

Victoria Cross
Royal Victorian Medal ( RVM )
Punjab Medal ( 1848-49 )2 clasps:
"Chilianwana" - "Goojerat"
Indian Mutiny Medal ( 1857-58 )3 clasps:
"Delhi" - "Relief of Lucknow" - "Lucknow"
Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal ( 1887 )clasp:
"1897" ( Diamond Jubilee )
King Edward VII Coronation Medal ( 1902 )
Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal ( LSGC )

Kells' duties primarily involved ceremonial protection of the monarch and participation in state events, including attendance at coronations, jubilees, and other royal occasions during the later years of Victoria's reign and the early part of Edward VII's. He served in the rank of Yeoman Bed Hanger, contributing to the guard's traditional responsibilities of escorting the sovereign and upholding courtly protocols

In recognition of his long and faithful service, Kells received the Royal Victorian Medal (silver) from King Edward VII in June 1901 during an inspection of the Yeomen at the Tower of London. This honour, instituted in 1896, was awarded to select members of the royal household for personal service to the Crown, highlighting Kells' dedication in his post-military role.

Trumpet Major Kells' Regimental History of the 9th Lancers, 1715 - 1903

Robert Kells married his first wife, Christina Bond, on 8th March 1859 in Allahabad, India; she was the widow of Edward Harper, a trumpeter in the 9th Lancers, and the couple had no children.

Following his retirement from the military in 1868, Kells returned to Britain and remarried on 23rd June 1869 at St Mary's Parish Church in Lambeth, London, to Sarah Ann Mathews, the daughter of Samuel Mathews, a printer.

A good conduct testimony for Kells service with the band in the Territorials, dated 24th September 1912.

With Sarah Ann, Kells fathered eleven children—three daughters and eight sons—settling into family life in London after years of service abroad. One of their sons, Sergeant R. Kells, later served in World War I and received the Military Medal.

Kells died on the 14th April 1905 at the age of 73 in Lambeth, and was buried in Lambeth Cemetery in an unmarked grave (Section F2, Grave 391), with a simple funeral befitting his modest circumstances; a commemorative plaque was later added to the site in 2009 by Lambeth Borough Council.

I was prompted to compose this account of just one of Queen Victoria's soldiers for two reasons, first, my owning Kells' miniatures and regimental history and secondly from my attending a recent Pink Floyd tribute evening at Exeter Cathedral, during which I entertained myself during the interlude by inspecting many of the regimental colours and memorials housed in the cathedral.

I was pleasantly surprised to spot the following memorial to the 9th Queens Lancers as seen above, a monument I had seen on many occasions before but never recognised its unique significance.

A nearby plaque and scroll explained the establishment of the memorial in the cathedral;

'This memorial was erected to the memory of five officers and one-hundred and forty-three other ranks of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers who gave their lives during the Indian Mutiny.

During this campaign the regiment won no less that fourteen Victoria Crosses.

The 9th Lancers were known throughout India as 'the Delhi Spearmen' for their prowess with the lance in capturing that city. On May 1st 1850, the regiment embarked at Fort William, Calcutta, en route for Exeter. By a special order of the day, the Governor General of India directed that a salute of twenty-one guns be fired and offered his thanks not only for its services before the enemy but for the admirable example which it has presented to the young soldiers of the Indian Army by its perfection of discipline, conduct and efficiency. 

On several occasions prior to 1861, the Regimental Depot was stationed in Exeter. On its arrival in Exeter in the summer of 1859, a special service of thanksgiving was held in the Cathedral for the safe return of this MOST DISTINGUISHED REGIMENT.'

Commemorating men of the 9th Queen's Lancers who died in India, the Lancers Memorial was carved by Carlo Marochetti in 1860, the favourite sculptor of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

One of the fun and interesting aspects of being an historical wargamer is that you can combine the interest with just about any other activity you might find yourself doing and most any time, and the pure serendipity and pleasure at discovering the link between a treasured antique of mine, and my local Cathedral, whilst enjoying the delights of Pink Floyd and reliving my salad days only reminded me at how lucky I am.

I hope you found this post interesting and as always, more anon.

JJ