FOLLOWING THE SALE OF THE ROBERT KELLS' VICTORIA CROSS IN MARCH 2005, THE PURCHASER HAS NOW LOANED THE VC GROUP TO THE 9TH / 12TH LANCERS MUSEUM IN DERBY.
22 July 2005

Following the sale in March 2005, by Dix Noonan Webb, of the Victoria Cross awarded to Lance-Corporal Robert Kells the purchaser has decided to loan the VC group to the regimental museum of the 9th / 12th Lancers in Derby. It is expected the Victoria Cross will be on display with the museum's other VCs, those of William Goate and David Spence. Two other 9th Lancers' Victoria Crosses awarded to Francis Grenfell and James Roberts reside with the Regimental Headquarters of the 9th / 12th Lancers.


THE VICTORIA CROSS, AND OTHER CAMPAIGN MEDALS, AWARDED TO LANCE-CORPORAL ROBERT KELLS, 9TH ( QUEEN'S ROYAL ) LANCERS, HAS BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY DIX NOONAN WEBB FOR £130,000
2nd March 2005


( select to enlarge )

Medal entitlement of Sergeant Robert Kells,
9th ( Queen's Royal ) Lancers

  • Victoria Cross
  • Royal Victorian Medal ( RVM )
  • Punjab Medal ( 1848-49 )
    • 2 clasps:
    • "Chilianwana" - "Goojerat"
  • Indian Mutiny Medal ( 1857-58 )
    • 3 clasps:
    • "Delhi" - "Relief of Lucknow" - "Lucknow"
  • Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal ( 1887 )
    • clasp:
    • "1897" ( Diamond Jubilee )
  • King Edward VII Coronation Medal ( 1902 )
  • Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal ( LSGC )

The Victoria Cross awarded to Lance-Corporal Robert Kells, part of the Brian Ritchie collection of HEIC and British gallantry medals, was sold at auction today, 2nd March 2005, by Dix Noonan Webb for £130,000. The VC was bought by Chelsea Military Antiques on behalf of a UK collector.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 24 December 1858 ], Bolundshadur, Indian Mutiny, 28 September 1857, Lance-Corporal Robert Kells, 9th ( Queen's Royal ) Lancers.

For conspicuous bravery at Bolundshadur, on the 28th September 1857, in defending against a number of the enemy his commanding officer, Captain Drysdale, who was lying in a street with his collar-bone broken, his horse having been disabled by a shot, and remaining with him until out of danger. ( Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant KCB, dated 8th April 1858 )


Robert Kells died in London on the 14th April 1905 and was buried in Lambeth Cemetery.

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Iain Stewart, 22 July 2005