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John Bambrick (b1791)

bambrick genealogy

Of my "Bambrick" ancestors, the earliest we know anything about is John Bambrick, born 1791 in Windsor, England. His parents were possibly Valentine Bambrick (b1770, in the parish of Longford) and Frances Bambrick (b17__, nee Logan). I haven't been able to trace further details about his parents.

What we do believe about his early life is that he had at least two younger brothers and a younger sister: Robert Bambrick (b1798), Valentine Bambrick (b1802) and Mary Bambrick (b1805).

John fought at The Battle of Waterloo, on 18 Jun 1815, in the 11th Light Dragoons as a Sergeant in Captain Thomas Binney's Troop. John's younger brother Robert Bambrick (later "Captain Bambrick") also fought at Waterloo, as a Private in Captain. J.A. Schreiber's troop. Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in that famous battle. Had Napoleon realised he would be coming up against two Bambricks, we can only assume he would've called in sick that day.

Here's a picture of Captain Thomas Binney.

11thltdragoonsbinney.jpg

Here is a quote describing the 11th light dragoons in the battle of Waterloo, it is from this page: 11th Light Dragoons

Waterloo

With the return of Napoleon in March 1815 the war with France resumed and the 11th arrived at Ostend on 2nd April. They were in Vandeleur's brigade with the 12th and 16th and had an unprecedented strength of 947 men. They came under heavy attack at Quatre Bras but did not suffer badly. On the 18th June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo began after a terrible night of torrential rain. It was a frustrating morning for the British cavalry who had to stand and watch an infantry battle. Against Wellington's wishes, the heavy cavalry made a brilliant charge that was spoiled by it's failure to re-form. The 11th under the command of Lt Col Money were sent into action when it looked as if the enemy were breaking up. They broke a French infantry square and carried on with the pursuit of Naploeon's fleeing soldiers.

Wellington entered Paris in triumph on 7th July escorted by the 11th and others. The regiment bivouacked on the Champs Elysees and became part of the army of occupation in France and Belgium. On 20th November they eventually arrived home after 3 years on the continent. A new regimental depot was set up at Maidstone.

— 11th Light Dragoons

After Waterloo, we know John and his younger brother Robert were stationed with the 11th Light Dragoons in India and both served at the siege and capture of Bhurtpore. (Sometimes spelt Bhurtpoor).

Why were the 11th Light Dragoons in India, sieging and capturing Bhurtpore? Well that's a pretty long story. And this was the "second siege of Bhurtpore". So the simplest reason they were there — because the first siege didn't succeed, and nobody holds a grudge like the British.

Before getting into the history of the second siege of b., I want to answer the question "What is a dragoon?" and more specifically, "What is a light dragoon?"

Answer: A light dragoon is basically the same thing as an Hussar. So similar in fact that the 11th Light Dragoons were later renamed the 11th Hussars.

So we're good now and I can move on, correct?

Oh, you don't know what an Hussar is? I thought I answered that already. It's like a dragoon, but lighter.

A dragoon is a class of "Mounted Cavalry". Mounted implies "Mounted on a Horse" — so dragoons (and hussars) ride horsies (Or they did in the time of JB-b1791). But what does "Cavalry" mean? It's from the French word "cavalerie" which derives from cheval meaning horse. So a dragoon is a horse-riding horse-rider. This is not going well, we've left out the other aspect — they are military fighting people, and they have specific weapons and armor. Do you care about that stuff? You do. Ok, let's get into it.

Heavy cavalry have heavy armor and significant weapons. Light cavalry (such as Hussars and light dragoons) have less armor, lighter weapons, and are more versatile, manoeuvrable.

From the same source as above, here is a description of the 11th Light Dragoons in Bhurtpore.

Bhurtpore

They did not have much time to enjoy their home country because in February 1819 they were shipped off to India Sorry to interject, but I feel it's worth mentioning that the 11th Light Dragoons were put forward for this role by a chap named Wellington. You may remember Wellington from such famous battles as 'Waterloo', so the fact he's giving the 11th Light Dragoons the nod, just a few years after W.L. implies to me, at least, that he was well chuffed with their showing in that memorable battle and thought he'd spread them around as it were; sorry where were we. They were stationed at Cawnpore and Meerut and did not see serious fighting until 1825 when they took part in the siege of Bhurtpore ...second siege, that is?. This was an apparently impregnable fortress garrisoned by 15,000 anti-British Indians under the leadership of Doorjun Saul. The British, led by Sir Stapleton Cotton, now Lord Combermere, had 30,000 men. The enemy were aided by a British deserter, Bombadier Herbert, who instructed the Indian artillery making them more effectiveIs it me, or do the British give themselves extra credit at every turn?. The cavalry was commanded by General Sleigh, an ex-11th officer, the brigade was commanded by Col M Childers, also ex-11th, and the regiment itself by Major Bellingham Smith.

After a five week siege, the mining endeavours of the engineers and bombardment by the artillery had weakened the defences enough for Combermere to order an attack. Bellingham Smith led 80 men and 2 Lieutenants We must assume then, that the Lieutenants were not men? Probably women, possibly horses? into the fortress after an enormous explosion had created a breach big enough to storm through. The explosion killed many inside and some outside the walls. Enemy resistance did not last long and large groups fled on horseback pursued by the 11th Light Dragoons. They took many prisoners and captured the unfortunate Herbert who was hanged from the nearest tree. The regiment's casualties were 2 men killed, one officer and 12 men wounded and 4 horses killed.

— 11th Light Dragoons

If you've ever thought to yourself — and I imagine we've all thought this at times — "What did it look like, that moment when they captured Doorjun Saul?" — you'll be pleased to know that there is a very accurate and not at all romanticised illustration here:

Capture of Doorjun Saul

But this isn't Doorjun Saul's story, it is John Bambrick's story — and we're coming to the rather romantic part of the narrative, so get ready for that I suppose.

Romance!

John married Harriet Ann Bambrick (nee Villars, widow of William Reddan (d. 1821)) and together they had at least six children (3 girls and 3 boys), to wit:

A number of the children were born in Cawnpore, India. (Possibly all of the children.)

If you're thinking, "Where have I heard that name 'Cawnpore' before?", there was a "mutiny" in Cawnpore in 1857, but the family had departed almost twenty years prior to that. Here's a depiction of Cawnpore, pre mutiny. Youngest son, Valentine, fought (for the British) in response to that mutiny.

cawnpore1814.jpg

This is an engraving from 1814. It shows the hustle and bustle of a normal barracks town.
—source

On the 12th of September 1838, "after long and faithful services" John was discharged from the 11th Hussars, and retired to Windsor.

His sons and younger brother meanwhile, went on to do a bunch of things.

Retirement

The churchwardens of Windsor have received a letter from the War-office, stating that troop serjeant-major, John Bambrick, a native of this town, who was discharged from the 11th Hussars, on the 12th of September 1838, after long and faithful services, has been awarded the gratuity which is granted by her Majesty to discharged soldiers who have conducted themselves meritoriously while in the army; and the authorities of the War-office notify that fact to the churchwardens with the object of making it generally known in the parish to which he belongs.
—Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express, 25th June 1842

Grave

Grave of Harriet Ann Bambrick, John Thomas Bambrick and Maria Bambrick

Sacred to the memory
of
Harriet.
The beloved wife of
John Bambrick.
Who Departed this life at Hounslow
On the 10th of May 1871
Aged 76 Years
. . .
Also of the above named
John Bambrick
who departed this life march 17th 1879
in the 89th year of his age
. . .
Also
Maria Rawson-Turner
Daughter of the Above
Who died October 9th 1882

— via Harriet Ann Gale/Lawrence/Villers/Reddan Bambrick

Note: I am unsure what the significance of the words "Gale/Lawrence/Villers/Reddan" are in the above page. I believe Reddan was Harriet's "maiden name." What then is "Gale/Lawrence/Villers" ? I doubt she remarried, as her grave is clearly paid for by JB.

Her place of birth is listed as "Chelsea, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London, England".

Reference re medals

John's medals were sold, in an online auction, for £2,500 in 2014.

John Bambrick
Medal Location: Unknown
British 11th Light Dragoons
Sergeant
Sold: Online June 2014 • £2,500 the pair
1970
October 1966
Notes: Served in Captain Thomas Binney's troop. Sold originally in group with Bhurtpoor A of I and L.S.G.C. Medals in 1966. Sold with just A of I medal in 1970. The Waterloo has clip and ring suspension and the naming is stated as being dubious. Sold on a non return basis.

Rank Surname Forename Troop
Sergeant Bambrick John Cpt. Thomas Binny's
Private Bambrick Robert Cpt. J.A. Schreiber's

...from Waterloo Medal Rolls -- 11th Light Dragoons

Lot 103
Date of Auction: 5th April 2006
Sold for £950
Estimate: £200 - £25
Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 1st issue, large letter reverse (J. Bambrick, Troop Serjt. Major 11th >Hussars. 1838) fitted with original steel clip and rectangular bar suspension, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine £200-250
Footnote
John Bambrick was born at Windsor, Berkshire, and attested for the 11th Light Dragoons at Bedfort, Sussex, on 20 August 1814, aged twenty-three. He fought at Waterloo in the rank of Sergeant, and at Bhurtpoor as Troop Sergeant Major. He served a total of eighteen years 332 days in the East Indies, returning to England in June 1838, where he was discharged on 12 September 1838. His Army of India medal was in the Needes Collection of 1940, and sold at Glendining’s in November 1903 and May 1970. Sold with copy discharge papers and other research.
via Lot 103, 2006-04-05

Mary Ann Bambrick, 1805 - 1883
Mary Ann Bambrick was born in 1805 to Valentine Bambrick and Frances Bambrick (born Logan).
Valentine was born in 1770, in Parish of Longford.
Mary was baptized on month day 1805, at baptism place.
She had 4 siblings: Frances Bambrick and 3 other siblings.
Mary married Unknown in month 1861, at age 56 at marriage place.

— Regarding Mary Bambrick

References

See also