"How Sergeant Brabyn saved Frederick, Duke of York " Topic

"After France declared war on England on Feb 1st 1793, George III gave his son, the 30 year old Duke of York, command of the English contingent, wisely bolstering him with senior advisers. Prince Frederick was immediately dispatched to Flanders in the Austrian Netherlands in command of 5,000 armed men. The forces were sent to support the General in overall charge of the Allied Forces on the Continent, the Austrian Prince Saxe-Coburg. (Present day Belgium forms part of this area). John Brabyn "A true and trusted steady sergeant in the foot guards" was chosen to be part of the Duke's personal bodyguard. We know that John was tall, strong and had previously served under the Duke's command when a private in the foot guards, some years earlier.
The Flanders campaign, particularly from 1793-1795, came under the overall Leadership of Prince Saxe-Coburg, the Austrian General, who opened the Allied offensive with a 40,000 strong Army and advanced into Belgium on March 1st 1793. The wonderful Lippizzaner horses were raised near Gratz in Austria. The Duke of York and Brabyn would certainly have had these beautiful horses.

Coburg led his troops on to the Southern Netherlands on 18th March where they encountered and beat the French, who had invaded Holland at Neerwinden. Prince Frederick and his faithful bodyguard, John Brabyn featured in this battle. The British troops found themselves encircled and threatened with annihilation. Although it was a chaotic and desperate action and they suffered heavy losses, they managed to regain the Allied lines. They were being mercilessly hounded by the enemy and "by superb effrontery, the Duke of York escaped capture, at one point galloping in front of his two escort squadrons of Dragoons in a dramatic chase over hedge and with the Star of the Garter gleaming at his breast." …"
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Amicalement
Armand

Funny how the auto bleep caught the word for a wall of dirt to hold back water.

Interesting though unlikely to have been the battle of Neerwinden.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!.

Amicalement
Armand

Interesting though unlikely to have been the battle of Neerwinden.

I think the Duke had to make a run for it during the battle of Turcoing in 1794. 18th of May (not 18th March, 1793)