The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The Indian Mutiny V.C. group of seven awarded to Trumpet-Major Robert Kells, 9th Lancers, later Yeoman Bed Hanger of the King’s Body-Guard at the Tower of London

(a) Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar inscribed ‘Lance. Corpl. R. Kells, 9th Lancers’, the reverse centre of the cross dated ’28 Sep 1857’

(b) Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat ([Tru]mpr. R. Kells, 9th Lancers) first three letters of rank obscured through contact wear

(c) Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 3 clasps, Delhi, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Tpt. Major Robert Kells, 9th Lancers)

(d) Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (65 Trumpt. Major Robt. Kells, V.C. 19th Hussars)

(e) Royal Victorian Medal, Silver, V.R., unnamed as issued

(f) Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, bronze, unnamed as issued

(g) Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed as issued, the two campaign medals with a good amount of contact wear, otherwise very fine and better (7) £80000-100000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Collection

Ex Needs Collection 1939 and Sotheby, November 1986.

Robert Kells was born in the parish of Meerut and attested for the 9th Lancers at Cawnpore at the age of thirteen years and nine months on 22 October 1844. He took part in the Second Sikh War being present at the Passage of the Chenab and at Chilianwala. He was appointed Trumpeter on 1 February 1849 and accordingly served in that capacity at Goojerat three weeks later. The outbreak of the Mutiny found the 9th Lancers at Ambala where its four squadrons were divided between the 1st and 2nd Brigades of the Delhi Field Force, which, having effected a junction with Brigadier Archdale Wilson’s Meerut Brigade, routed the mutineers at Badli-ki-Serai, and established itself on Delhi Ridge. After three months gruelling service on the Ridge culminating in the Fall of Delhi, the 9th Lancers, reduced from 500 to 320 men, were detailed to join the Flying Column under Colonel Edward Geathed (see Lot 51) which on the 24th moved out to scour the Gangetic Doab.

Early on the morning of the 28th, the forward elements of the Flying Column arrived at a crossroads, leading in one direction to Boolundshuhur, and in the other to Maolghur. At dawn, gunfire was exchanged between Greathead’s vedettes and rebel skirmishers, and it was soon confirmed that a strong body of the enemy intended to make a stand at Boolundshuhur where the 9th Lancers were to win no less than five Victoria Crosses. At the advance of the column, the enemy’s artillery opened fire and the rebel cavalry fell back. The 75th Regiment pushed forward, capturing two 9-pounder guns, and drove off the enemy holding a strong position in the gaol and a walled serai in front of the town. Greathed’s cavalry, comprising the 9th Lancers and Punjab Cavalry detachments under Lieutenants Probyn (qv), Watson and Younghusband, captured a third gun, and then took up the pursuit through the narrow streets of Boolundshuhur.

Captain William Drysdale, commanding the Lancers, had his horse shot under him at full speed and crashed to the ground, breaking his collar bone. Trumpeter Robert Kells and Private Robert Jordan immediately closed around their stricken commander and successfully defended him against a number of the enemy before carrying him out of danger. Jordan and Kells were subsequently mentioned in despatches by Brigadier Hope Grant (Ritchie 1-110), on 10 January 1858 (London Gazette 23 April 1858), and awarded Victoria Crosses (London Gazette 19 December 1858). Drysdale was recommended for the V.C. for courageous leadership on this occasion by Major Henry Ouvry, 9th Lancers, who was in overall command of the cavalry. This award, however, was not approved.

Kells continued with the Flying Column, and took part in the battle at Agra on 10 October 1857, and was afterwards present with his regiment at the Second Relief of Lucknow, the Siege and Capture of Lucknow, and throughout the campaigns in Rohilkhund and Oudh. He was appointed Trumpet-Major of his regiment on 24 May 1858. On 1 March 1859 he joined the 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry (retitled the 19th Hussars in 1861), having taken up the usual offer open to men whose regiments were leaving India to volunteer for another corps. His Cross was one of fifteen forwarded by the Secretary of State for War on 19 February 1859 for presentation in India. But by the time the Victoria Crosses arrived the 9th Lancers had been several months at sea on their way to England, and, in error, Kells’ V.C. was returned to London along with those of Privates Patrick Donohoe and John Freeman of the 9th Lancers. The last mentioned were both decorated by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle on 1 January 1860. Kells, himself, had to wait a while longer before receiving his coveted and much travelled award at Allahabad sometime later in 1860.

Kells was discharged from the 19th Hussars at Benares on 14 November 1868, as the result of a fall from his horse and disease ‘due to climate’. He was then described as being thirty-eight years of age, six foot one tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light hair. He told the discharge board he intended to reside at Blackfriars Road, London.

On 1 January 1881 he was appointed a Yeoman of the King’s Body-Guard at the Tower of London, and as such attended all the great state occasions of the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods, including Kaisar Wilhelm’s visit to London in 1891. On the occasion of Edward VII’s first inspection of his Body Guard on 25 June 1901, Yeoman Bed Hanger Kells, V.C., and Yeoman Messenger Sergeant Rule were both presented with the Royal Victorian Medal in silver. Robert Kells died in London on 14 April 1905 and was buried in Lambeth Cemetery.

Refs: WO 97/1290; Lummis VC Files (NAM); The Ninth (Queen’s Royal) Lancers 1715-1903 (Reynard); The History of the King’s Body-Guard (Hennell); The Yeomen of the Guard 1823-1903 (McInnes).