#EYABeards @explorearchives Robert Shields VC was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, in 1827 and died in Bombay, India, in 1864. On the morning of 8 September 1856, during the Crimean War, Corporal Robert Shields volunteered to go along with Assistant Surgeon William Henry Thomas Sylvester in order to rescue an injured officer who had been incapacitated by a shot not far from their position outside the city of Sevastopol’s walls during the siege of the city.

 

The wounded officer was one Lieutenant Dyneley, the Adjutant of Shields’ own unit in the Royal Welch Fusiliers regiment. He had been shot and wounded near the Redan, a fort built close to Sevastopol, at this time it had been hastily occupied by more than a dozen Russian soldiers. It was an extremely dangerous and foolhardy thing to venture anywhere close to the Redan, as they would be well within range of all manner of enemy guns. Nevertheless, Sylvester and Shields decided to attempt to save the wounded man.

 

Together, they reached the lieutenant; however, they quickly noticed that his wounds were far more serious than they had anticipated. Sylvester dressed Dyneley's wounds as well as he was able while under heavy fire from the Redan and returned to the cover of their trenches, bringing with them the injured man. Dyneley later died from his wounds.

 

For their bravery, both men were awarded the Victoria Cross, subsequently going on parade for the first presentation of the new medal. Sixty other men were present at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. The recipients were made up of both the army and the navy, and they were presented with the award by Queen Victoria herself.

 

Regimental harpists

 Earlier this year, at the Wrexham Archive, we researched John & William Roberts, father and son, who both occupied the position of Regimental Harpist in the mid-late 19th century.

We were assisted by Dr Rhian Davies, who has advised us of a book launch "The Art of Music" to take place on Nov 22nd at the National Library of Wales Commencing at 2.30pm.

We are delighted to say that John Roberts and William Roberts both feature in the book - the latter depicted at Gibraltar.

The event is free, and will include live music and refreshments. Tickets are available for the public to book at: https://www.library.wales/visit/things-to-do/events

9th November 1714 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

 9th November 1714 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Styled Prince of Wales’s own Royal Regiment of Welsh Fuzeliers, 1714

The title first appeared in the London Gazette of 9-13 November, which stated that ‘His Majesty [George

I] has been pleased to appoint Major General Joseph Sabine to be Colonel of his Royal Highness the

Prince of Wales’s own Royal Regiment of Welsh Fuzeliers.’ This was the first time the Regiment was

connected intimately with the heir-apparent.