Beschreibung:

WATERLOO MEDAL, 1815, with replacement steel clip and ring suspension (Tr. Serj. Maj. F. Kinkee, 10th Royal Reg. Hussars.), officially impressed. Toned, good very fine. ex Sotheby, February 1892 H Gaskell Collection, 1908 DNW, 6th of July, 2004, lot 26 Cornet Frederick Kinkee was born c.1787 in St. James, Piccadilly, London, and attested for service with the 10th Hussars in July 1803. He was promoted to Corporal in December 1805, to Sergeant in December 1810, and to Troop Sergeant Major in June 1812. He served in the Peninsular War with the 10th Royal Hussars, where his regiment performed admirably, being present at the action at Morales de Toro (where under Major Robarts they confronted and routed the French 16th Dragoons, taking 2 officers and two hundred soldiers captive), and also at the Battles of Vittoria, Pyrenees, and Orthes. Whilst serving in Spain, he showed courage and experience on the 23rd of May, 1813, as mentioned in the ‘Memoirs of the Tenth Royal Hussars’ by Colonel R S Lidell: “In passing the Douro, a feat accomplished by Graham’s force in six hours, three horses of the Tenth fell out of the boats, but were brought safely to the shore by Troop Sergeant-Major Kirkee, who jumped into the water after them.” Frederick Kinkee was present with the 10th Hussars at the Battle of Waterloo, serving as Troop Sergeant-Major in Captain Charles Wood’s Troop (No. 5). The 10th Hussars, under the command of Colonel Quentin, formed part of Major General Sir Hussey Vivian’s Hussars Brigade. Initially placed far to the British left near Ter-la-Haye and Frischermont, whereby they still received steady cannonade. Later in the day, the Hussars were moved along the main road to support the British & Allied centre, which was under increasing pressure from cavalry attacks as Napoleon sought to break the British squares. Having helped to repulse the cavalry, the 10th Hussars faced galling fire as the Hussar Brigade (with the 18th Hussars and the hussars of the King’s German Legion) formed lines, with the 10th in front. At this point they were ordered to charge the French Imperial Guard. As recorded in the account written by Private John Marshall “After advancing one hundred yards we struck into a charge, as fast as our horses could go, keeping up a loud and continual cheering, and soon we were among the Imperial Guards of France… we got into their columns and like birds they fell to the ground. We took sixteen guns and many prisoners.” Additionally, It has been noted that in comparison to the bold enthusiasm of the Union Brigade (including the Scots Greys & Inniskilling Dragoons, neither of which had served on the Peninsula), the Hussars Brigade performed with cold discipline, maintaining their order and helping to turn the tide of the battle at a key juncture. This achievement was not only due to the experience of their rank and file, but must also have been the result of the bravery of the Senior NCOs, such as Kinkee. After Waterloo, Troop Sergeant Major Kinkee was promoted to Regimental Quartermaster, 19th Light Dragoons, on the 1st July 1824, retired to half pay on the 18th of August 1825. He was soon after promoted to the commissioned rank of Cornet & Acting Adjutant (without purchase) on the 19th of October 1827, where he latterly served with the Cavalry Riding Establishment in St Johns Wood, but finally retired in 1832. He married one Mary Kinkee (nee Johnston) in the Church of St Andrew by the Wardrobe (near Blackfriars) on the 3rd of January 1815, and died on the 17th of November, 1863, at 14 Victoria Road, Kentish Town, at the age of 77. Sold with copy death certificate, copy Waterloo Roll mention, and copy MGS roll mention, showing his entitlement to an MGS with 2 clasps (although his papers record him as being present at Vittoria), copy mention in the Waterloo Roll Call, showing him as an NCO (later commissioned), and some useful research.