“Black Troop”: The Black soldiers of the 11^th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars, 1815-1838

By John D Ellis

George Loy Smith served in the 11^th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars for over twenty years. A veteran of the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and was promoted to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major. Upon retirement, in 1859, he became a Yeoman of the Guard and died in 1888.^[1]horsepowermuseum.co.uk/the-11th-hussars-in-the-charge-of-the-light-brigade-2/ The 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars were later re-titled The 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own), and in 1969 … Continue reading

Smith’s memoirs, A Victorian RSM: A Cavalryman in the Crimea, are the ‘go-to’ for an account of the Charge of the Light Brigade. He was also one of the few former soldiers to reference serving alongside Black soldiers during the nineteenth century.^[2]Smith, GL. A Victorian RSM: A Cavalryman in the Crimea (DJ Costello Publishers, 1987).

In April 1836, George Loy Smith joined E Troop, 11^th Hussars, known as ‘The Black Troop’ (after the colour of the horses) in India.

“It also had the only three black men of the regiment, viz Trumpeter Murray, Roderick (cymbal player), and McKinley, the big drummer. Roderick had a black wife and no children; McKinley was also married with a large family. Murray and Roderick were West Indians while McKinley was an East Indian. Several men too had married half-caste and native women, so it really was a “Black Troop.”^[3]Ibid.

Smith’s memoirs were written in the second half of the nineteenth century, and the language reflects that; neither “West Indian” (meaning from the Caribbean and of African origin) or “half caste” were commonly used descriptions for soldiers of African or Asian origin – “Black” or “of colour” being used for both.^[4]Ellis, JD. “The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments during the Early Nineteenth Century”, (MA Thesis, University of Nottingham, September … Continue reading He does not refer to them as having musical ranks (such as Drummer or Trumpeter), however, the reference to trumpet, cymbal and big drum suggests that they were bandsmen. Whilst they were clearly in E Troop, they would have served there until ordered to report for duty with the band. As the rest of the band would have been White, the three Black soldiers would have been integrated and not segregated. The number of Black soldiers in the regiment (three) and their musical roles is similar to many other regiments, and that the 11^th “only” had three, tallies with what is known about the declining presence of Black soldiers by the 1830s.

George Loy Smith’s comment that “several men too had married half-caste and native women” reveals that the Black presence in the ‘regimental family’ extended beyond the men in the ranks to the partners and children of White soldiers.^[5]Smith, GL. A Victorian RSM: A Cavalryman in the Crimea (DJ Costello Publishers, 1987). However, the comment that “…it really was a “Black Troop”” was a clumsy pun.^[6]Ibid. Perhaps intended to amuse readers, the reality is that no soldier in the nineteenth century, (and beyond), would have been happy to serve in a unit with a derisive nickname based on ‘race’/ethnicity. The comment also diminishes the role and presence of Black soldiers, (and the presence of their partners and children) and the White soldiers who had “married half-caste and native women” (by whom they would have had offspring). A thought might also be spared for those White soldiers (commissioned and enlisted), who recruited Black soldiers, led them, served alongside them and counted them as comrades. What is not known is how Black soldiers were treated by their White peers. But Ambrose Roderick served for 21 years and John McKinley served for 35 years, and both must have had several opportunities to leave (or desert) during their service but did not. Whether their military service was a pro-Black, pro-regiment or pro-British choice remains unknown.

So, what of George Loy Smith? He would have served alongside thousands of men during his career, yet he accurately remembered the names of the three Black men serving in the first Troop he served in, the musical instruments they played and their individual ethnicity and marital status/family circumstances. This suggests that he was interested enough to find out about them. Partly, this would have been out of curiosity, (possibly admiration – McKinley and Roderick had seen active service, unlike the newly arrived George Loy Smith), and almost certainly self-preservation – although they were of the same rank, the Black soldiers were senior in service which would have given them a degree of authority and respect, certainly not men to be antagonised by a new arrival.

Hardly any of those who left memoirs of their service in the British Army during eighteenth and nineteenth centuries referenced the presence of Black soldiers in their regiments (perhaps because it was commonplace). It is to the credit of George Loy Smith that he acknowledged them, because without him it would not have been possible to identify them.

The 11^th Hussars

The 11^th Hussars served in the Peninsula and Waterloo campaigns, but whilst Black soldiers served in both campaigns, none has been identified in the regiment until Ambrose Roderick enlisted at London in October 1815. He joined the regiment when it was part of the Army of Occupation in France, where it served until 1818. In Kent, in 1819, the 11^th received orders for India, arriving there in October 1819. On arrival, it received the horses and 200 volunteers from the 21^st Light Dragoons, including John McKinley.

In India, the regiment served in the Jat War (1825-1826), the participants receiving the retrospectively awarded Bhurtpoor (now Bharatpur, India) clasp to the Army of India Medal (1851).

Both Ambrose Roderick and John McKinley served in the Jat War.

The regiment left India in early 1838, being replaced by the 3^rd Light Dragoons. The 11^th’s horses and over 100 men transferred to the incoming regiment – including Ambrose Roderick and John McKinley.^[7]Cannon, Richard (1842). Historical record of the Eleventh, or the Prince Albert’s Own Regiment of Hussars: containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1715 and of its subsequent … Continue reading

The 3^rd had employed Black soldiers between 1772 and 1829.^[8]www.historycalroots.com/henry-mcgilchrist-kettle-drummer-of-the-3rd-kings-own-dragoons/ For much of that time, the role of Kettle-Drummer had been filled by Black soldiers: John Downs of Jamaica (1772-1774). Henry McGilchrist of Jamaica (1774-1811). George James from the Coast of Guinea (1811-1825).^[9]Ibid. Since 1772 Black Kettle-Drummers had worn a silver collar presented to the regiment specifically for them. It is not known if the collar was simply an ornate neck-stock, or something which referenced the iron collars worn by enslaved peoples, and the silver collars were worn by both dogs and (sometimes) by Black servants in Georgian Britain.^[10]Ibid. When the last Black soldier of the 3rd Dragoons left the regiment in 1840 (see Ambrose Roderick), the silver collar was worn there-after by White kettle drummers, with the link to the original … Continue reading

The Black Soldiers. (In the order remembered by George Loy Smith: Trumpeter Murray, Roderick (cymbal player), and McKinley, the big drummer

Trumpeter Murray: There were two Murrays serving in E Troop when George Loy Smith joined it in April 1836: No.569 Private Henry Murray and No.90 Private Thomas Murray.^[11]The National Archives (TNA) WO 12/1002.

Neither soldier has any reference in their records to them having a musical role. Unfortunately, the physical descriptions recorded make it difficult to ascertain which of the pair, if either, was the “West Indian” known to George Loy Smith. Henry Murray was described as having a fresh complexion and Thomas Murray a sallow complexion. The latter, if George Loy Smith’s memory was correct, was more likely to be ‘West Indian’, as sallow is often defined as being yellow or light brown. It was also a description frequently given to White soldiers, and therefore unless other information comes to light George Loy Smith has taken to his grave which of the Murrays was ‘West Indian’.

Henry Murray was born at All Saints, Southampton, Hampshire c.1808. He enlisted in the 11^th Hussars at Queen’s Square, London in March 1829. He appeared in the ‘Defaulter’s Book’ once; in 1839 when he was absent from check in barracks. Despite this he was promoted to corporal in 1837, and then to sergeant in 1844. Discharged (whilst the 11^th were stationed at Dublin), as a sergeant on a pension of 2s per day, November 1853, being considered unfit for further military service. He had served 7 years and 7 months in the East Indies. On discharge he was 45 years and 7 months old, 5/9 and 1/2″ tall with light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. A carpenter by occupation, his character had been very good. He settled at Southampton and died in 1857.^[12]TNA WO 22/100. TNA WO 97/99/68.

Thomas Murray was born at Navan, Dunmo (Dunmore/Dunmow), County Meath c.1793. He enlisted in the 17^th Light Dragoons at Dublin in November 1811, with whom he served as a private in the 17^th until August 1822 when he transferred to the 11^th Light Dragoons. He served in the East Indies from May 1813 to October 1837 and was present “at the Siege of Bhurtpore and in the Deccan Campaign”. Discharged as a private (whilst the 11^th were stationed at Cawnpore), on a pension of 1s/7 and 1/2d per day, October 1837 “no longer being equal to active duty”. On discharge he was 44 years of age, 5/5 and 1/2″ tall with sandy hair, grey eyes and a sallow complexion (also described as freckled). A baker by occupation, his character was variously described as good, regular and indifferent.^[13]TNA WO 97/97/85.

Roderick (cymbal player): Ambrose Roderick was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire c.1793. Nothing is known of his life before he joined the 11^th Hussars. A labourer by occupation, he enlisted in the 11^th Hussars at London in October 1815. He served in India between 1819 and 1840, including the siege and capture of Bhurtpoor during the Jat War, (1825-1826). Transferring to the incoming 3rd Light Dragoons in November 1837, he was discharged as a private on a pension of 1s/6d per day in August 1840, being physically unfit for service suffering from “debility arising from age and long service in the Indies”. All of his service had been in the rank of private. On discharge he was 47 years old, 5/9″ tall with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion. His character had been good and he settled in Bengal, India. He was still in receipt of pension in 1866.^[14]TNA WO 23/13, 52, 62 and 149. TNA WO  97/115/12.

McKinley, the big drummer: John McKinley was born at Tanjour (Tanjore, now Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India), in the East Indies c.1788.^[15]TNA WO 22/228. TNA WO 23/10. TNA WO 25/301. TNA WO 97/87/45. He was baptised as John Campbell McKinley at Tanjore in May 1788, to John McKinley, (a Private in the 72^nd Regiment) and Rosannah.^[16]BIO. Parish Registers from the Presidency of Madras. Baptisms.N-2-11/51&52. findmypast.co.uk. The 72nd (Highland) Foot are an antecedent of The Highlands (Seaforths, Gordons and Camerons), now … Continue reading It is probable that his father was Scottish and that his mother was either Eurasian or Indian.

He enlisted in the 75^th Foot in India in April 1802 where he served as both Private and Drummer until May 1806 when he transferred to the 24^th Dragoons. He then served as both private and trumpeter until July 1818 when he transferred to the 21^st Dragoons, with whom he served as trumpeter until September 1819 when he transferred to 11^th Dragoons. He served with them until he was discharged on a pension as a private in October 1837 “on account of no longer being equal to active duty from length of service

On discharge he was of very good character, 5/7″ tall with hazel eyes and grey hair. His complexion was described as being dark and also as black.^[17]TNA WO 22/228. TNA WO 23/10. TNA WO 25/301. TNA WO 97/87/45. He marked, rather than signed his records suggesting that he was signature illiterate. He was present at the sieges of Broadah, Sungar, Ahmeedahbra, Cummoonah, Bhurtpore (1805) and the siege of Mathrass and Capture of Bhurtpore in the Deccan Campaign. These actions suggest his presence in the 2^nd Mahratta War (1803-1806), and the Jat War (1825-1826). All of his service was spent in the East Indies as he repeatedly transferred into incoming regiments. Doing so would gain him a volunteer bounty (in return his new regiment got a ‘seasoned’ soldier, as many soldiers new to India frequently succumbed to illness), but more importantly allowed him to remain close to any family he may have had locally. He marked, rather than signed his records. This suggests that he was illiterate and accounts for there being so many variations on his name in the parish records of the British India Office.

George Loy Smith’s comment that John McKinley was “…married with a large family” can be confirmed by the parish records of the British India Office relating to Cawnpore and Meerut on findmypast.co.uk^[18]Smith, GL. A Victorian RSM: A Cavalryman in the Crimea (DJ Costello Publishers, 1987). findmypast.co.uk They also reveal something of the experiences of British soldiers and their families (White or Black), serving in India during the nineteenth century.

John McKinley was twice married: Catherine (died 1844) and Mary (died 1856). He fathered at least fourteen children, three of which died in infancy. One of his daughters married a soldier in the 29^th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot. Two of his sons went on to serve as enlisted musicians in the 3^rd Regiment of Bengal Light Cavalry, (a role frequently undertaken by Eurasian Christians) and later as senior non-commissioned officers in the Indian Army.

Baptism at Cawnpore, 1^st July 1816. Susannah Maria McKenly, daughter of Trumpeter John McKenly and his wife Catherine. Born 25^th April 1816.

Birth at Meerut in 1821. Donald McKinley. Father in the 11^th Light Dragoons.

Baptism at Meerut, 1^st January 1824. Margaret McKinley. Daughter of John McKinley, (Private in HM 11th Dragoons) and his wife Catherine. Born 20^th November 1823).

Birth at Meerut in 1825. Caroline McKinley. Father in the 11^th Light Dragoons.

Baptism at Cawnpore, 9^th September 1827. Mary McKenley, daughter of John McKenley, Private HM 11^th Dragoons and his wife Catherine. Born 22 July 1827. Burial at Cawnpore, April 1829. Mary McKinley, child of HM 11^th Dragoons.

Baptism (privately) at Cawnpore, 13 June 1829. Charlotte McKinly, daughter of John McKinly, Private HM 11^th Dragoons, and his wife Catherine. Born 11^th June 1829. Burial at Cawnpore, June 1829. Charlotte McKinley, child of HM 11^th Dragoons.

Baptism (privately) at Cawnpore, 20^th June 1830. Harriet McKinley, born 11^th April 1830. Daughter of John MacKinlay, Private HM 11^th Dragoons and his wife Catherine.

Baptism at Cawnpore, 24^th July 1831. Thomas McKinley. Son of John McKinley, (Private in the 11th Dragoons) and his wife Catherine. Born 22^nd May 1831. Thomas MacKinley, pensioner aged 53 years, was buried at Meerut in March 1885.

Birth at Meerut in 1833. Edward McKinley. Father in the 11^th Light Dragoons. Baptism at Meerut, 17^th November 1833. Edward McKinley. Son of John McKinley, (Private in HM 11th Light Dragoons) and his wife Catherine. Born 12^th October 1833 at Meerut. Marriage at Meerut, 10^th October 1855. Edward McKinley, bachelor aged 22 years and Musician in the 3^rd Light Cavalry, (son of John McKinley) to Ann Bowser, spinster, aged 14 years (daughter of John Bowser). Both the bride and groom resided at Meerut.

Birth at Meerut in 1835. Louisa McKenley. Father in the 11^th Light Dragoons. Baptism at Meerut, 27^th December 1835. Louisa McKenly. Daughter of John McKenly, (Private in HM 11th Light Dragoons) and his wife Catherine. Born 13 November 1835 at Meerut.

Burial at Cawnpore, August 1837. Lucy MacKinley, child of HM 11^th Dragoons.

Baptism at Meerut, 7^th April 1841. George McKenley. Son of John and Catherine McKenley of Meerut. John was a “Pensioner at Meerut”. Born 10 April 1840. Burial at Meerut, 25^th April 1841. George McKinley, infant son of Pensioner J.McKinley of Meerut.

Burial at Meerut, 15^th February 1844. Catherine McKinley aged 45 years and Wife of Pensioner J. McKinley.

Marriage at Meerut, 2^nd December 1846. John McKenley, widower aged 60 years and Pensioner to Mary Dalton, widow of Meerut aged 47 years. The groom was the son of John McKenley and the bride the daughter of Michael Gill. Both bride and groom resided at Meerut.

Marriage at Meerut, February 1852. Isabella McKinley, spinster daughter of John McKinley, to Drummer John McVay, bachelor HM 29^th Regiment.^[19]The 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot had employed Black drummers from the 1750s to the 1840s. John McVay was almost certainly White, but his marriage suggests that a level of ‘racial’ … Continue reading

Baptism at Meerut, 28^th October 1856. Robert Samuel McKinley. Son of John and Rebecca McKinley of Meerut. Born 25^th September 1856. John was a Trumpeter in the 3^rd Regiment of Bengal Light Cavalry. By 1862 John McKinley was an Inspector of Police. He and Rebecca had a son, Daniel Alfred McKinley baptised at Meerut 4^th June 1862. (Born 9 May 1862). Burial at Meerut, 10^th September 1872. Rebecca McKinley, 45 years Wife of John McKinley, Jemadar in the 14^th Bengal Lancers. Died 10^th September 1872 of cholera.

Burial at Meerut, 15^th August 1856. Mary MacKinley, 57 years, wife of Pensioner J. MacKinley. Died 14^th August 1856 of cholera.

In May 1857 John McKinley was residing at Meerut, sharing a bungalow with a fellow Chelsea Pensioner; John Markoe and his wife Emilia.^[20]John Markoe was born at Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire c.1806. He enlisted in the 4th Light Dragoons at Westminster in February 1829. He served as a private from February 1829 until being discharged … Continue reading Two of John McKinley’s sons, Edward and John, were serving with the 3^rd Regiment of Bengal Light Cavalry quartered at Meerut. It was the court martial of 85 soldiers of the regiment for failing to accept cartridges for their carbines that provided the catalyst for the ‘Indian Mutiny’. Convicted, sentenced to imprisonment and humiliatingly paraded before all the regiments in the cantonment, the subsequent storming of the gaol they were confined in resulted in many Indian soldiers and civilians turning on the British in Meerut. The men of the 3^rd Regiment of Bengal Light Cavalry then headed for Delhi, where their arrival led to the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny. It is not known what happened to John McKinley’s sons when their regiment mutinied, but both survived. John McKinley was not so fortunate. Both he and John Markoe were killed on 10^th May 1857, with Emilia Markoe surviving because she was hidden by a servant. Both pensioners were buried at Meerut on 12^th May 1857, with the cause of death being: “Murdered at the insurrection of Native Troops”.

An article, ‘The McKinley Medals and some reflections on the services of Eurasians in the Indian Army’, by C. J. Parrett, was published in the Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society, ‘Miscellany of Honours No. 7, 1985 pp 3-18. A summary of which appeared online, linked to the sale of a medal awarded to Albert Wiseman McKinley, (a grandson of John McKinley), who served in the North Western Railway Volunteer Rifles, 1898-1902:

Albert Wiseman McKinley, the first-born child & eldest son of Edward McKinley (who retired as a Troop Sergeant Major of the Lahore Light Horse), and Ann McKinley (nee Bowser), was a Eurasian ‘Son of Empire’ born at, Meerut, India on, 22 March 1866. Albert was the eldest of eight children, having 4 x sisters and 3 x brothers. As a young man Albert joined the North Western Railway Company, where he worked variously located at Saharanpur (1890) described as a ‘Boiler-Maker’; Sukkur (1892); Mussoorie (1896) described as a Mechanic; Landour (1898) described as a ‘Foreman Boiler Maker’ N.W.R., and Quetta (1906) described as a Boiler Maker. Albert married Mary Constance Bacon (daughter of an ‘Apothecary’ serving with the 79th Cameron Highlanders) at Saharanpur, on, 8 January 1890. Albert & Mary had five children comprising, 3 x daughters & 2 x sons. Albert Wiseman McKinley is recorded as having died at, Bombay, India, on, 23 January 1933.

A superb medal to a Eurasian volunteer recipient, from the fascinating, and evocative – McKinley ‘Clan’ of Meerut – which family of 18th century Scottish descent provided multiple generations of soldiers to the Bengal Army of the East India Company, and later Indian Volunteers, including Trumpeters, Troop Sergeant Majors, commissioned Jemadars, and even had a McKinley who fought in the Zulu War with the 24th Foot, an imperial regiment.(21)