Page 91 - Mercian Eagle 2017

Drummer John Freeman’s Military General Service Medal
In recognition of the important role play by the 29th Foot in the Sikh Wars, the Museum was one of three Regimental Museums approached to lend material for an important exhibition: ‘Anglo-Sikh Wars: Battles, Treaties and
Major Frederick Kneebone’s medal group
For many years (1759 - 1843), the 29th Regiment of Foot was distinguished by its corps of Black drummers. The Regiment arrived in Portugal at the outset of the Peninsular Campaign and served in many of
The Museum would like to thank all
those who have donated items to us in
the past year and we would also like to thank everyone for their continued support. Should you wish to donate anything to the museum, or indeed volunteer please get in touch with the Curator on 01905 721982 or email museummercian@btconnect.com
Next year and following on from the acquisition of the medals of John Freeman the museum will commence a project on the Black Drummers of the 29th Foot, which will look at not only BAME minorities in the Army historically but exploring the current experience of soldiers serving today. This is to be funded by the Arts Council England, through the AMOT Army Museums in the Future Initiative. The results of this work will be incorporated into a new display on the Black Drummers in the Museum.
Relics’. This was held at Newark Houses Museum, Leicester, from 11th March to 4th June 2017 and was developed by the Sikh Museum Initiative and hosted by Leicester City Council. The items lent include the uniform coatee known as the “Sikh jacket” picked
up by Lieutenant Lyle on the battlefield of Ferozeshah, in 1845.
During the year, the Museum has continued to make important acquisitions for our exhibitions and displays including
the medals, death plaque and memorabilia of Private Frederick Hedges which
were donated to the museum by his granddaughter, Mrs Sheila Ward. Hedges was aged 35, married with three children, when he joined the 1st Battalion in Flanders. On the 16th August 1917, during the battle of Passchendaele, the battalion occupied a position on the Westhoek Ridge to secure
if against a counter attack. Sadly, Private Hedges was killed by a sniper’s bullet and has no known grave.
However, without doubt our most significant acquisitions of the year were
two important medal groups; the Military General Service Medal (1793-1814) of Drummer John Freeman and the Sikh Wars and Indian Mutiny medals of Major Frederick Kneebone, both men of the 29th Foot. The Museum was fortunate to secure a grant from the V&A Purchase Fund towards both groups and a further grant from the Army Museums Ogilvie Trust towards the MGSM of the John Freeman.
the major engagements, three of the Black drummers survived to be awarded the Military General Service Medal, when it was instituted
in 1848, but only Freeman’s medal now exists.
Likewise groups of three consecutive Indian Campaign Medals issued to members of the 29th Foot are very scarce, and Frederick
‘The Museum has continued to make important acquisitions for our exhibitions and displays including the medals, death plaque and memorabilia of Private Frederick Hedges’
Kneebone’s is unique as he is the only 29th Foot officer so awarded.
Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Mark Jackson OBE chats to Fred Dancox, the grandson of the Pte Frederick Dancox VC at the VC plaque unveiling
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