Major-General Richard Buckley Prettejohn

  General Notes:

1881 Census:

A retired Major General (active list) Belworth Cyprus Rd, Littleham, Exmouth, Devon with his wife Bertha and four children and four servants.

Next we have Richard Buckley Prettejohn mentioned by Peter Cowell in the article on the Prettejohns in the Stokenham Papers (3) he won the VC and when you read the following that will make sense - incidentally I still have not linked him into the family.

These accounts are in army reports of the mid 19th century mainly about the Indian mutiny:

“It was a most complete surprise. The 14th Dragoons, excellently led by Captain Prettejohn, dashed at once into the centre of the enemy, who never attempted to stand as a body, though individuals died fighting desperately. Captain Prettejohn having received a severe wound, the command devolved on Captain Need, who, with much energy and judgment, continued the pursuit for nearly eight miles, cutting up great numbers, particularly at the end, where the fugitives were stopped by a ravine; those who could cross it taking refuge in a jungle, impracticable for cavalry. actually engaged consisted of 133 of Her Majesty's 14th Dragoons, commanded by Captain Prettejohn; 60 of the Mahratta Horse, under Captain F. H. Smith ; 38 of the 71st Highlanders, under Captain Smith, mounted on camels and guided by Captain Templar, Commanding Camel Corps. I regret much that I had not a second squadron of cavalry, which would have made the destruction of the enemy more complete. I cannot make any correct estimate of their loss, owing to the extent of ground over which it took place : 150 bodies have been counted immediately at Hanode, and a much larger number must have fallen during the pursuit. Captain Need estimates these last at 300 many of them were 12th Irregulars, the murderers of Major Holmes and his family. Beside several persons of distinction, the Moulvee Fuzzil Huk, and Russaldar Zohoor Aji, of the 12th Irregulars, were killed; they were identified by the papers found on their bodies, and by the evidence of a prisoner; but I fear Feroz Shah has escaped for the present. Six elephants were taken, and numbers of horses and ponies arms, &c.. have been found and are still being brought in.”

“…….difficult to select any line for pursuit. I have today learnt that such as have re-assembled were yesterday near Tuchnore, and that Captain Rice's detachment ordered out from Goonah, was at Thadowra, and had gone in pursuit. It is with much pride and satisfaction that I beg permission to bring to the notice of the Right Honourable the Commander-in-Chief, the admirable charge made by the 14th Dragoons, and the soldier-like and exemplary cheerfulness with which the troops of all arms underwent the fatigue and privations inseparable from such service with such men and officers the general's task is easy. It was a cause of very great regret to me, and equally to themselves, that the remainder of the 71st under Major Rich, and Captain Brown's guns, were necessarily left behind. I beg to recommend most particularly Captain Prettejohn, Her Majesty's 14th Dragoons, commanding the cavalry, for the gallant manner in which he led his men, until severely wounded, also Captain Need, 14th Dragoons, who succeeded to the command, and most ably exercised it.”

“Captain Need, 14th (King's) Light Dragoons, to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Gwalior Division.

SIR, Camp, Ranode, December 17, 1858.

I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the General commanding, that, on Captain Prettejohn becoming disabled this morning from a severe wound, I assumed command of the squadron 14th Dragoons, strength as per margin, in pursuit of the rebels, following them for about 7 miles, cutting up great numbers, and capturing several elephants, horses, &c. I beg to bring to the general's notice the good service rendered by Lieutenant Giles, and all under command, as well as by Captain Lumsden, Assistant Quartermaster-General, and Lieutenant Gough, Mahratta Horse, who accompanied the squadron. The gallant conduct of Corporal Best, 14th Dragoons, came particularly under my notice; but where every man of the squadron behaved so well, and did such good service, it is almost unjust for me to recommend any man in particular. The pursuit was principally through low jungle, very bad ground, and full of holes which will account for the great number of missing horses in my casualty report, which accompanies this report. I have,

ARTHUR NEED,
Captain, 14th Dragoons”


Lieutenant Richard Buckley Prettejohn to be Captain, vice Goddard. Dated 17th September 1850.

1864 - Richard Buckley Prettejohn - Cornet - 23 February 1838, Lieutenant - 18 October 1839, Captain - 17 September 1850, Bt. Major - 20 July 1858, Bt Lieutenant - Colonel 3 July 1860, Major - 5 July 1864

Blackwoods 1826 - March - Prettejohn became an ensign

Review of Reviews and World's Work - By Albert Shaw - 1891 - mention of Richard Buckley Prettejohn as Lieutenant General.

Lt. Colonel Prettejohn served with the wing of the 14th Light Dragoons in the Campaign in the Southern Mahratta country in 1844-45, and was present at the investment and capture of the fortresses of Panella and Pownghar. Also throughout the Punjaub Campaign of 1848-49. including the action of Ramnuggur with the charging Squadrons, passage of ?????? battles of Chlllianwallah and Goojerat, pursuit of the enemy across the Jhelum and of tlie Affghans over the ???? through the Kyber Pass (Medal with two Clasps). Served with the Persian expedition of 1857 and was present at yhe bombardment and capture of the forts of Mohumra (Medal). Also with the Central India field force under Sir Hugh ????? 1857-58 and was present at the siege and capture of Rahutghur, action of Barodia, relief of Saugor, capture of Gurkha forcing the Muddenpore pass (wounded), battle of Betwa in command of the three troops actually engaged (horse wouded In two places), siege and capture of the town and fortress of Jhanal, battle of Koonch, and commanded the right ????? the 14th Lt. Drs. In the pursuit, affairs during the advance on Calpee, capture of Calpee, action of Morar and the capture of the town and fortress of Gwalior and pursuit ending in the action of Jowra Allipore, in command of the ????? action of Ranoda in command of the only Squadron present - severely wounded (four times mentioned in despatches, Brevets of Major and Lt.Colonel, Medal with two Clasps).

India History - Sepoy Rebellion 1857-58 - Captain Prettejohn of the 14th got a severe sabre -cut across the thigh.

Camp Jhansi, April 8, 1858 - 14th Light Dragoons - Captain Prettejohn - injury - contusion by a spent ball

Captain Lightfoot took up an advanced position to his left front, which made the fire of his battery much more efficacious. Whilst the enemy were suffering from the fire of the troop and battery, I directed Captain Prettejohn, 14th Light Dragoons, to charge with his troop, supported by Captain M'Mahon, 14th Light Dragoons, the enemy's right flank, and I charged myself their left with Captain Need's troop, 14th Light Dragoons, supported by a strong troop of Hydrabad cavalry. Both attacks succeeded, throwing the whole of…..

The enemy's right gave way, before the squadron of the 14th Light Dragoons, under Captain Prettejohn, reached them; he pursued and cut up several of them.

Richard Buckley Prettejohn is mentioned in Debrett

Outram & Havelock's Persian Campaign - 1858

One of the troops of horse-artillery, and that of Captain Pretyjohn, of the 14th dragoons, were however ordered to return to Bushire, as the probability of a very serious attack, and in almost overwhelming numbers, threatened when the force left.

The Times, Saturday, May 01, 1841; pg. 13; Issue 17659; col A
From the LONDON GAZETTE, Friday, April 30. Buckingham Palace, April 29
.............Lieutenant Richard Buckley Prettejohn from 4th Light Dragoons........

The Times, Thursday, Nov 25, 1875; pg. 5; Issue 28482; col G
Naval and Military Intelligence
The Field Marshal Commanding in-Chief has selected the following officers to receive distinguished service rewards: Col. R.B. Prettejohn, C.B. 18th Hussars, in succession to Major-Gen. de Salis, appointed Colonel of the 8th Hussars..............

The Pall Mall Gazette (London, England), Friday, October 10, 1879; Issue 4566.
Sons
Prettejohn, wife of Major-General R. Buckley, C.B., at Betworth, Exmouth, Oct. 7.

The Times, Wednesday, Jul 16, 1890; pg. 8; Issue 33065; col B
From the LONDON GAZETTE, Tuesday, July 15. Foreign Office, July 14.
War Office, Pall-Mall, July 15
13th Hussars.--Major-General and Honorary Lieut-General Richard Buckley Prettejohn, C.B., to be Colonel, vice Major-General and Honorary Lieut.-General Broadley Harrison, deceased.

The Times, Saturday, Jan 10, 1891; pg. 6; Issue 33218; col A
Obituary.

We have to announce the death of Lieutenant-General R. Buckley-Prettejohn, who died on the 4th inst. at Exmouth, aged 75. He joined the army in 1838, and was placed on the retired list as a Lieutenant-General in 1881, having in the interval seen much service. In 1844 he took part in the South Mahratta campaign; in 1848 and 1849 was in the Punjab, including the passage of the Cheenab and the battles of Chillianwallah and Goojerat; in 1857as in Persia at the bombardment and capture of Mohumrah; and in the same year and 1858 joined in the repression of the Indian mutiny, being present at many important actions, and being twice wounded at the forcing of the Muddenpore Pass and the battle of Ranode. General Buckley-Prettejohn was in receipt of a reward for distinguished conduct, and was appointed Colonel of the 13th Hussars only last July.

Richard married Bertha May. (Bertha May was born in 1854 in Madras, India.)

Richard next married Unknown.