Review Sgt Bruse 11th Hussars From Mitches Military Models

[Ron Tamburrini]

Great review Kev on what looks like a must have addition to my very small grey army but one that will not languish in the resin prison to long

ron

 

[Jimmy S]

Mine just arrived yesterday and I concur with Kev it is a great sculpt and extremely great value for money.

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Ron ,

Steady now mtae don't want to starin that storage shelf !!!!!! ....hope you do get one as I am interested how folk paint this one .

Jimmy S,

Thanks for the comments glad you found the review of help in deciding


Nap

 

[Zastrow.cuirassier]

Great review.
Can somebody explain to me why Sgt Bruse (on the photo) wear the Turkish Crimean medal First in place of the British Crimean one's.
I thought that the rules where to wear first british medal in order of importance, and after the foreign one's ?

 

[Nap]

Great review.
Can somebody explain to me why Sgt Bruse (on the photo) wear the Turkish Crimean medal First in place of the British Crimean one's.
I thought that the rules where to wear first british medal in order of importance, and after the foreign one's ?

Hi ZC ,

Glad you liked the Review regarding the positioning of medals , the precedence was not set till much later , looking at many photographs medals are being worn in all styles and ways and seeminly in no order of precedence .

Hope this explain this which is seen in many references/pictures of the period

Nap.

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

Hi ZC ,

Glad you liked the eview regarding the positioning of medals , the precedence was not set till much later , looking at many photographs medas are being worn in all styles and way and seeminly in no order of precedence .

Hope this explain this which is seen in many references/pictures of the period

Nap.

Well thats sorted the medal police

 

[PhilinYuma]

"regarding the positioning of medals , the precedence was not set till much later , looking at many photographs medals are being worn in all styles and ways and seemingly in no order of precedence ".
Helpful point. So far as I know -- does anyone have an earlier date? -- the first order of precedence for medals on British uniforms came out with the 1900 regulations, so, for example, from its inception in 1856 to 1899, the Victoria cross was not automatically given precedence over campaign and gallantry awards and was not given precedence over orders of chivalry until 1904.
Cheers, Phil

 

[Nap]

"regarding the positioning of medals , the precedence was not set till much later , looking at many photographs medals are being worn in all styles and ways and seemingly in no order of precedence ".
Helpful point. So far as I know -- does anyone have an earlier date? -- the first order of precedence for medals on British uniforms came out with the 1900 regulations, so, for example, from its inception in 1856 to 1899, the Victoria cross was not automatically given precedence over campaign and gallantry awards and was not given precedence over orders of chivalry until 1904.
Cheers, Phil

Hi Phil ,

I believe that the "precedence " started with the 1881 regulations and I quote from the excellent book relating to the VC by Peter Duckers (from Shire page 17) :

"Only in 1881 did Queens Regulations lay down the position of the VC when worn with other decorations and not till 1902 when King Edward directed that it must be worn before all other decorations and medals" ...

The dress regulations of 1904 relected this

My understanding is that before 1881 medals were worn virtually in any order or way as in Sgt Bruse's picture ...at times it seems an individuals choice perhaps

If anyone wants to have some fascinating reading and reference materials then there are others from Peter Duckers covering both Campaign and Gallentry medals



Nap

 

[Konstantin S.]

Many thanks for such informative review and historical research!

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Following on from this review and my WIP of the bust I have been contaced by th family of Sgt Bruse , he is known as Sgt Breese by them , they sent me some details and pictures ....amazing stuff .

Additional info about John Breese (my greatx4 uncle):

We discovered that John Breese's medals were sold in Dec 2002 for £7000 (alas not to a family member).
The catalogue read "An outstanding Crimean War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant-Major John Breeze, 11th Hussars and Yeoman of the Guard, who lost his arm at the battle of Inkermann

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Serjt. John Breese, 11th Hussars); Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Sergt., 11 Hussars) contemporary engraved naming; Jubilee 1887, bronze; Turkish Crimea, British issue, unnamed, the first two with contact marks and edge bruising, and sometime silver plated, otherwise nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine (4) £6000-8000"

We know that Sergeant Breese was successfully recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 10 January 1855, with a gratuity of £10. His was one of eight D.C.M.’s awarded to men of the 11th Hussars for services in the Crimea. Invalided home, he was presented with his Crimea medal by Queen Victoria, on Horse Guards Parade, on 18 May 1855. He left the Army that same month and was appointed to the Queen’s Body Guard as a Yeoman in the same year.
Breese rose to become Sergeant-Major of the Fourth Division of the Guard, and was reported to have been a favourite of Queen Victoria, attending the 1887 Jubilee for which he received the bronze medal. He died at Battersea on 11 October 1889, and was buried two days later in Battersea Cemetery. His gravestone states ‘formerly of the 11th Hussars and one of the Balaklava Six Hundred.’ We've never been able to prove he was part of the charge of the Light Brigade - the research continues

As to photos/portraits we have gathered a few copies which I attach
We have a copy of the photo from which I am assuming the bust was sculpted


The National Portrait Gallery has a painting of Queen Victoria visiting wounded soldiers at Brompton Hospital, Chatham on 3 March 1855. John Breese is shown standing on the right-hand side. I attach an image downloaded from the npg site. It shows John's distinctive curly hair and him wearing a grey/blue coat(?)

The Royal Collection (Windsor) has a sketch book by Queen Victoria which includes John Breese sketched after her visit to the hospital

He has very ginger/brown hair in her sketch. I attach a copy of the page

There is also a less than clear image of John Breese after he joined the Queens Body Guard (Yeoman). Difficult to make out but he appears to be wearing three medals and his uniform has been adapted for his missing limb.

Hope you find this interesting

Nap

 

[Dennis]

Kev, I do find this very interesting all your reviews are very good value for money mate. When my wallet and I recover from the expense of the darling daughters wedding I may be allowed some models tokens to purchase this little beauty. I hope that your legs are back in full working order now and that we me meet at Figureworld, (I'll be wearing charity shop hand me downs by then and eating from bins at this rate).
Thanks again Kev.
See you soon.
Dennis

 

[Wings5797]

Hi Kevin,
What a great addition to your review. Facinating additions from his family too.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
All the best,
Keith

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Just for interest here is what the DCM looks like for the period :

Johns Regimental number was 1102 , wounded at Inkerman (5th November) which was classed as "Dangerous" , he lost his arm !!!...invalided out of the Army in 1855 joining the Yeoman in the same year ...a favourite with the Queen .


Nap

 

[Geoff Charman]

Super review, this will certainly help me, many thanks.