Sgt Major James Barry. 1st Dragoon Guards

Subject: Sgt Major James Barry. 1st Dragoon Guards Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:34 pm

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"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 sympathy, 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."

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.

your sincerely devoted brother
Francis Josef

Source: 1st Dragoon Guards
http://www.qdg.org.uk/pages/Recent-Acquisitions-133.php

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