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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4068 Pte. H. Lane. 3rd Dgn: Gds:), dated clasps tailors copies

Harry Lane was born at St Luke's, Leeds in 1878 and was a porter also serving in the 4th Middlesex Militia upon his enlistment in the 3rd Dragoon Guards at Hounslow on 23 June 1898. Lane served with the Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 21 January 1901-25 August 1904 (QSA (5)). He was posted missing 20 March 1901 (location unknown) but newspaper reports state he had rejoined by 10 April 1901.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4589 Pte. H. T. Froude. 3rd Dragoon Gds.) suspension claw re-affixed.

Herbert Thomas Froude was born at Long Ashton, Bristol, and attested for the Dragoons of the Line at Bristol on 15 June 1900, having previously served with the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, and the Devon and Somerset Royal Engineers Volunteers. Posted to 3rd Dragoon Guards, he served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 10 August 1901 to the cessation of hostilities, before transferring to the Royal Artillery on 19 February 1904, and then to the Army Reserve on 26 June 1906. Discharged in June 1912, he rejoined the Royal Garrison Artillery for home service in the Great War, with service number 284587.

Pictures courtesy of Morton and Eden

[ KCB ]
SAGS (1) 1879 (Capt: Herbert Stewart, 3rd. Dragn. Gds.);
Egypt (5) Tel-el-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (Lt. Col: H. Stewart. 3rd. Dn. Gds. A.A. & Q. M. G.);
Turkey, Ottoman, Order of the Osmanieh, Third Class neck badge in silver and enamels;

KCB (Military): London Gazette: 20 May 1884 – ‘Aide-de-Camp to the Queen’
CB (Military): London Gazette: 17 November 1882
Turkey, Ottoman, The Order of Osmanieh: 1882



Major-General Sir Herbert Stewart (1843-1885) was born on 30 June 1843 at Sparsholt, Hampshire, the eldest son of the Reverend Edward Stewart, and the great-grandson of John Stewart, 7th Earl of Galloway. Educated at Brighton College, and then at Winchester College, he played first class cricket for Hampshire and joined the Army as an Ensign (by purchase) in 1863. After a period of service in India with the 37th Foot, and rising to the rank of Captain, he exchanged into the 3rd Dragoon Guards in 1873. He entered the Staff College and the Inner Temple in 1877, but was sent the following year in 1878 to serve as Brigade Major of Cavalry in South Africa during the Zulu War, later serving as Military Secretary and Chief of Staff to Sir Garnet Wolseley, and taking part in the capture of Sekukuni’s Town. He was promoted to Major on 13 February 1880, he was mentioned-in-despatches, and then given the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel on October that year. In January 1881 Stewart was sent to serve on special duty in South Africa as Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General, and was present at the Battle of Majuba Hill on 27 February 1881 where he and a number of other British soldiers were taken prisoner of war by a Boer patrol and detained at Heidelberg until the end of March. Upon his release, he was sent to serve in the Egypt campaign of 1882 on the Staff of the Cavalry Division as Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General. During this time he was present at the engagements of El Magfar and Tel-el-Mahuta, the two actions at Kassasin, the battle of Tel-el-Kebir and capture of Cairo, where he personally received the surrender of the city of Cairo and of its citadel. For these actions he was mentioned-in-despatches, made CB, and was awarded the Order of Osmanieh 3rd Class, as well as being appointed Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria.

In January 1884 he was sent to Suakin in command of the cavalry under Sir Gerald Graham, and took part as Brigadier in the actions at El Teb and the advance to Tamaai. For these actions he was appointed KCB and was made Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General in the South-Eastern District of England from April to September 1884. Returning to Egypt and the Soudan late that year, he was promoted to Brigadier-General on 24 November 1884, joining the expedition to relieve Khartoum under Sir Gerald Graham. When news arrived from General Gordon seeking urgent assistance, Stewart was entrusted by General Wolseley to lead the Desert Column across to Metemma.

The desert column set off from Gakdul on 14 January 1885 with 1,800 men and 2,888 camels, travelling across the desert towards Metemmeh with the intention of establishing a garrison from which a detachment could then be sent by river Khartoum. Discovering a large enemy force of 8,000 – 14,000 men near the wells of Abu Klea on the 16th, they formed a square ‘zareba’ with camels at the centre with men surrounding, and camel saddles and all nature of supplies and gear at the periphery to provide cover against long-distance enemy fire. Having formed a square, Stewart’s men moved on foot to seize the wells on the morning of the 17th, and seeing the enemy they commenced a ‘withering fire’ (as Stewart’s own despatch reported), as the enemy mounted a determined charge upon the square. Mid-manoeuvre, the British square was temporarily broken, however it held its ground and kept shape as brutal hand-to-hand fighting ensued. In the face of very heavy losses, the enemy broke and fled, all the while suffering losses from artillery and rifle fire and leaving 800 enemy dead in the immediate vicinity of the square alone, leaving Stewart and his men in possession of the Abu Klea wells.

With the wounded left under guard, Stewart continued on 18 January towards Metemma, some 23 miles distant, and it was the next morning at 10.15am on 19 January, under intermittent enemy fire, that Stewart was mortally wounded. Passing command to Colonel Sir C. W. Wilson, he wrote a final letter to Wolseley asking him to look after his wife and family, making the stoic comment that his wound was ‘bad luck but glorious’. Stewart fought for survival for almost a month and received a final promotion to MajorGeneral on 19 January 1885 before finally succumbing to his wounds on 16 February during the return journey to Korti from Khartoum, being buried near the wells of Jakdul.

In the telegram reporting his death, Lord Wolseley summed up both Stewart’s character and career with the words: ‘No braver soldier or more brilliant leader of men ever wore the Queen’s uniform.’ Continuing in his despatch of 20 March 1885, General Sir Garnet Wolseley wrote that his death: ‘…deprived Her Majesty of one of Her bravest soldiers and most brilliant leaders and has caused amongst all ranks of the Army of the Soudan the most genuine and heartfelt sorrow… His death is felt by all here at once as a private and national loss. Leaders such as he are rare in all armies. It may be long before the service or the country can fill that gap which his death has caused.’

A bronze cenotaph was erected in his honour at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and so moved was Queen Victoria by his death, that she privately commissioned a portrait of him by Caton Woodville (after an earlier painting), for her own private collection.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3662 Pte W. E. Roberts, 3rd Dgn: Gds:) last two clasps loose on riband as issued;
British War and Victory Medals (32116 Pte. W. E. Roberts. S. Lan. R.)

William ‘Bill’ Roberts was born in London, and resided in Wandsworth. In between service during the Boer War and the Great War, Roberts was employed at Young’s Brewery, Wandsworth. He is believed to have been invalided out of service due to frostbite (entitled to Silver War Badge), and returned to employment at the brewery. Roberts died in 1953.

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QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3533 Pte G. N. Hughes, 3rd Dgn: Gds:), unofficial rivets for the last two clasps on the QSA;
1914 Star (3533 Pte G. N. Hughes. 3/D. Gds:);
British War and Victory Medals (3DG-3533 Pte. G. Hughes. 3-D.Gds.)

George Napoleon Hughes was born at Birmingham and enlisted at Canterbury on 26 January 1892. he was service in South Africa between 21 January 1901-16 June 1902. He was discharged on 24 January 1908 at Canterbury, but re-enlisted on 5 August 1914 and served in France from 6 October 1914 until 22 January 1915, he returned home serving until he was discharged on the 24 January 1917.

1911 Coronation Medal (unnamed as issued), Queen’s South Africa Medal, 5 clasps, CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902 (impressed ‘3431 SERJT: M. STEWART. 3RD DGN: GDS:’); Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, E.VII (impressed ‘3431 S.MJR. M. STEWART 3/DGN. GDS.’).

Regimental Sergeant Major Mungo Stewart, 3rd Dragoon Guards

Mungo Stewart was born in 1875 in Glencorse, Midlothian, Scotland, the only child of Peter and Marion Stewart. His father was a veteran of the China War of 1860 and, at the time of Mungo’s birth, was serving as a Color Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots, whose depot had moved to Glencorse Barracks in 1873. The senior Stewart was promoted to Sergeant Major of the 62nd Brigade at Glencorse in 1876 and was discharged in 1879. Stewart’s father died soon after his discharge, leaving Mungo to be raised by his mother and maternal grandfather, George Graham, a mail carrier in Glencorse.

Stewart attested in the 3rd (Prince of Wales) Dragoon Guards on 28 April 1891 in Edinburgh when he was only 15. At the time of his enlistment, the regiment was stationed in India, with only a recruiting troop in Scotland. Consequently, Stewart did not join the regiment until they deployed to Fort Napier, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa, in October 1892, where they remained until November 1895. From there, the regiment returned to England with stations at Shorncliffe, Woolwich, Colchester, and York before deploying to Ireland in 1899. In Ireland, they were called on to help quell rioting soon after they arrived, but otherwise served a quiet tour.

Stewart rose steadily through the ranks and was a sergeant by the time the 3rd Dragoon Guards returned to South Africa in January 1901. During the Boer War, the regiment spent most of their time sweeping the Veldt, first chasing after Boer General Christian de Wet and his forces, and later moving to Natal and Zululand, chasing after General Louis Botha and his forces. Despite clashing numerous times with the enemy, they never captured either general or engaged in an all-out battle. By the time peace was declared on 1 June 1902, regimental loses for the war were 2 officers and 61 other ranks killed.

For his Boer War service, Stewart received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with five clasps for CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, and SOUTH AFRICA 1902, the most common combination of clasps for soldiers from his regiment.

The regiment remained in South Africa until 31 July 1904, when they sailed for home, eventually being stationed at Ballincollig, Ireland, where they served an uneventful tour until 1908.

Stewart was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major on 28 April 1902 and Regimental Sergeant Major on 11 January 1909. He earned his 1st Class Education Certificate on 10 November 1905, while his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was sanctioned on 1 July 1909.

As the 3rd Dragoon Guards’ Regimental Sergeant Major, Stewart was awarded the 1911 Coronation Medal for King George V’s coronation. In accordance with the regulations for its distribution, the medal also was awarded to the regiment’s commanding officer, second-in-command, riding master, and senior private. At the time that Stewart received his medal, coronation and jubilee medals represented personal gifts from the sovereign and had precedence ahead of campaign medals. It was not until 1918 that this was changed and these medals were given precedence after long and meritorious service medals.

Stewart was an outstanding athlete, competing in the Royal Tournament several years, even winning the Sword vs. Lance competition in 1911. (The event was included in the tournament from 1881 to 1920.) Stewart was one of only two soldiers from the regiment ever to win a Royal Tournament event.

After returning to England in 1908, the regiment was stationed in Aldershot before sailing for Egypt in September 1912, where they were quartered at the Abbassia Barracks near Cairo.

A 1914 group photo of the 3rd Dragoon Guards sergeants in Cairo shows Stewart seated in the front row, wearing the ribbons for his 1911 Coronation, Queen’s South Africa, and Long Service & Good Conduct Medals. On the right forearm of his jacket is a Crown, the insignia worn by regimental sergeant majors from 1902 until replaced by the Royal Arms in May 1915.

The 3rd Dragoon Guards still were in Egypt at the start of World War I. Concerned that the Turks might attack the Suez Canal, the regiment proceeded by rail to Ismailia in order to defend it, arriving on 3 September. They remained until replaced by colonial troops from India, sailing for home on 29 September and arriving at Liverpool on 18 October.

The regiment left Liverpool on 31 October, disembarking at Havre, France the next morning. The First Battle of Ypres was at its climax and officially continued until 22 November, even though the Germans launched their final assaults on the 17th.

The 3rd Dragoon Guards joined the 6th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, southeast of Ypres on the 5th, and promptly were shelled upon their arrival, resulting in their first casualties, 3 men wounded. That evening, they dismounted and entered the trenches near Heronthage Wood at 10 PM, being exposed to severe rifle fire and shelling until relieved by the 5th Fusiliers at 2 AM on the 7th. Casualties during their first 28-hour stint in the trenches were 20 killed and 37 wounded.

Over the next few days, the regiment was moved several times in support of those at the front until being sent to the trenches near Zillebeke at 5:50 PM on the 12th. They remained only briefly, until relieved by the Household Cavalry at 9 PM on the 13th. Casualties were another 6 killed and 12 wounded.

The 3rd Dragoon Guards returned to the trenches at Zillebeke at 7:30 PM on the 15th, relieving the Household Cavalry. That night passed quietly but the regiment was shelled almost constantly throughout the next day, followed by heavy rifle fire that continued until nearly midnight. They remained in the trenches on the 16th, being shelled again that morning and evening.

Starting at 9 AM, the 17th of November was another day of heavy shelling in the trenches. RSM Stewart was killed by the enemy bombardment at 9:30 AM. The shelling continued throughout the day, only halting when the Germans launched ground assaults, which were turned back. The regiment was relieved by the 2nd Life Guards at 7:30 PM. The Allies didn’t know it but the Germans had launched their final assaults, effectively ending the First Battle of Ypres.

Including RSM Stewart, total regimental casualties over the three days were another 13 killed and 42 wounded. Over the course of the entire war, the 3rd Dragoon Guards sustained heavier casualties than any other British regular cavalry regiment, with 324 killed and 626 wounded, out of a total formation of approximately 550 officers and men. From the start of the war through 30 November 1914, total British Expeditionary Force loses were 89,864. For the First Battle of Ypres, the small British cavalry incurred 3,608 casualties.

On the 20th, the regiment were relieved and spent the rest of the year at their winter billets, far from the front. Ultimately, Stewart was one of the regiment’s last casualties of 1914.

For his World War I service, Stewart received the 1914 Star with 5TH AUG. – 22ND NOV. 1914 clasp, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal Medal.

Stewart’s body was buried at the local field hospital near Zillebeke on the 18th and later was moved to Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, where it remains today. Stewart was highly regarded and the regimental history reported, “The Regiment sustained a great loss in the person of Regimental Sergeant-Major Stewart.”