Born at Belturbet, Co. Cavan, on the 9th of July 1824.
Enlisted at Dublin on the 27th of July 1843 as "Rourke Teevan".
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 9".
Trade: None shown.
From Private to Corporal: 10th of June 1848.
1851 Census
Cavalry Barracks, Pockthorpe, Norwich.
Rourke Teevan, soldier, unmarried, 26, Corporal, born Balturbet, Ireland.
Corporal to Sergeant: 26th of September 1851.
Transferred to the 6th Dragoons (as a Sergeant) on the 1st of February 1852, but rejoined the 11th Hussars (still as a Sergeant) on the 26th of May 1852.
He married Esther Walker at St. Paul's Church, Dublin, on the 28th of May 1852. A son, also named Percival, is shown as being born at Brighton on the 27th of January 1857.
Marriage registered
PRT married Esther Walker, June Quarter 1852, Dublin.
Appointed to Troop Sergeant Major on the 26th of August 1854.
Rode on the right of "D" Troop at Balaclava, and was wounded in the left hand.
Troop Sergeant-Major Rourke Teevan
I was troop leader of the left troop of the right squadron in the Charge, and passed down to the extreme end of the valley in pursuit of the Russian cavalry. I was surrounded by the Russian lancers who had formed up to obstruct our return, but I passed through them, receiving a lance wound through my right thumb.
[Source: George Loy Smith, A Victorian RSM: From India to the Crimea, Appendix 6, p.237.]
George Loy Smith, A Victorian RSM: From India to the Crimea, mentions PRT in his account of the Charge (p.132):
Attached to the Land Transport Corps from the 16th of March - 26th of April 1856."... we were at a sweeping gallop. In another moment we passed the guns, our right flank brushing them, when about a hundred yards in rear Colonel Douglas halted us. During the advance, Lieutenant Trevelyan and Cornet Houghton had fallen out being wounded, the latter mortally. Regimental Sergeant-Major Bull, Trumpeters Smith and Keates had their horses killed or wounded, so that the only leader in front of the right squadron was Troop Sergeant-Major Teevan."
Reduced to Sergeant on the 9th of November 1856 - on the Reduction of the Establishment.
Letter from Horse Guards dated the 10th of March 1857, to the Officer Commanding the 11th Hussars at Hounslow:
"Sir, - By desire of HRH the General Commander-in-Chief I have the honour to request that you will be pleased to send Sergeant Teevan of the Regiment under your command to Maidstone so that his qualifications for the position of Riding Master may be tested.
The route for his march will be sent to you by the QuarterMaster General.
I have. etc. etc.,
W. A. Forster, DAG."
At Maidstone Riding Establishment from the 16th of March - 16th of December 1857.
Birth registered
Percival Rourke Teevan [son], September Quarter 1857, Kingston.
To Regimental Quarter-master Sergeant on the 23rd of March 1858.
1861 Census
Hulme Cavalry Barracks, Chorlton.
R. Teevan, married, 36, Qtr Master Sergt, born Ireland [p.4].
E.Teevan, wife, 24 [sic], born Norwich [p.24].
Promoted to Quartermaster on the 10th of November 1865.
(Following the death of Quartermaster Henry Kauntze he was recommended for the post but was originally turned down on account of his age, being then over 40.
An order dated the 12th of February 1863, had stated that the appointment of a Q.M. would be confined "as far as possible", to men not over this age. This was used to suggest that:
"It would be very hard on those who had served faithfully for many years in the ranks if they were to be deprived of advancement on account of having attained the age of middle-life, when they were otherwise well fitted for promotion."
It was stated that he had been an acting subaltern and Q.M. during the latter part of the war in the Crimea, and that when peace was declared he was a Cornet on probation with the Land Transport Corps, but was obliged to revert to his rank of Troop Sergeant Major in the 11th Hussars as all promotion in the Land Transport Corps was cancelled.
He also qualified as a Riding Master in 1858, but no vacancy having occurred he failed to obtain an appointment.
He was said to have been born at Annd, near Belturbet, Co. Cavan, being 19 years of age when he enlisted, 5' 9" in height, with a fresh complexion, dark grey eyes and brown hair. He was a Draper by trade:
His commission was gazetted on the 1st of December 1865, but back-dated to the 10th of November.)
Sailed for India aboard the "Agamemnon" on the 23rd of July 1866.
On leave to Europe on a "Medical Certificate" from January 1869 - March 1870. Retired from the service on the 31st of March 1876.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol.
Awarded the French War Medal. The citation for this stated: "Present at the battles of the Alma and Balaclava, at which latter he led a troop and behaved most gallantly. Was also present at the battle of Inkerman."
The "Service Historique" of France states that the Medaille Militaire was awarded under a decree dated the 16th of August 1856.
Letter from:
"Horse Guards,
27th September 1856,
Sir, I have the honour to transmit the accompanying Diplomas to the N.C.O.s and Soldiers of the Regiment under your command upon whom the French Military War Medal has been conferred and HRH the Commander -in-Chief has directed that you will present them on parade in a manner in keeping with the decoration, to the individuals to whom they are addressed.
I have the honour, etc,. etc.
J. W. Reynolds,
DAG.
Officer Commanding 11th Hussars."
Awarded the French Military War Medal.
His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Edmund Peel's recommendation, sent from Sebastopol in May 1856, stated:
"Served in the Campaign in Bulgaria in 1854. Was present at the affair of the Bouljanak, and Battles of Alma and Balaklava, in which action he led a troup and behaved gallantly. Was also present at the Battle of Inkerman, and throughout the Campaign from 1854 to 1856."
The Service Historique of France states that the Medaille Militaire was awarded under a decree dated the 21st of August 1856.
Letter from:
"Horse Guards,
27th September 1856,
Sir, I have the honour to transmit the accompanying Diplomas to the N.C.O.s and Soldiers of the Regiment under your command upon whom the French Military War Medal has been conferred and HRH the Commander-in-Chief has directed that you will present them on parade in a manner in keeping with the decoration, to the individuals to whom they are addressed.
I have the honour, etc., etc.
J. W. Reynolds,
DAG.
[To:] Officer Commanding 11th Hussars."
(An article on the Crimean War appeared in the "Surrey Advertiser", 11th of January 1985, illustrated by a picture of the then owner of Teevan's medals holding them (mounted on a card) as part of his general collection. See copy of this picture in the 11th Hussar file.)
Teevan, who was a very popular officer in the regiment, was also granted the Reward for Meritorious and Distinguished Service in 1882.
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1877 and 1879. He is listed as Troop-Sergeant Major P.R.Teevan
Attended the Officers' Balaclava Dinners in 1892 and 1893.
Birth registered
Hugh Noble Paterson [future step-son], March Quarter 1878, Hackney.
1881 Census
22, Regina Road, Islington parish of St. Mary's, Islington.
Named as Rourke Teevan, an Army officer (Cavalry Retired List) aged 57 years, born in Ireland, living with his wife, Ellen, 52, born in Norwich, Norfolk, and a son, Percival R, 23, born at Hampton Court, a Medical Student at St Bartholomew's London.
1881 Census
22, Regina Road, Islington.
Rourke Teevan, 57, Captain Army Cavalry Retired List, born Ireland.
Esther Teevan, 52, born Norwich.
Percival R Teevan [son], 23, Medical Student St Bartholomew's Hospital, born Hampton Court.
Death registered
Esther Teevan [1st wife], aged 54 years, March Quarter 1882, Islington.
Marriages registered
Percival Rourke Teevan [son] to Jessie Sutton, March Quarter 1884, Islington.
Percival Rourke Teevan to Annie Peterson [2nd wife], December Quarter 1887, Islington.
1891 Census
19, Parkhurst Road, St Mary Islington.
Rourke Teevan, 57 [sic], Captain retired from Army, born Ireland.
Annie Teevan 35, born Scotland,
Hugh S Paterson, 13, Step-son, Scholar, born Hackney.
1891 Census
91 Church Street, Stoke Newington.
Percival R Teevan [son], Civil Service Clerk & Club Steward, born Hampton Court.
Jessie Teevan, 31, Club Stewardess, born Cambridge.
Including 1 servant.
1901 Census
36, Hanley Road, Islington.
Rourke Teevan, 77, Retired Army Captain, born Ireland.
Ann Teevan, 47, born Scotland.
Hugh Paterson, 23, Step-son, clerk (commercial), born Hackney.
1901 Census
6 Sanford Terrace, Hackney.
Percival R Teevan (son), 43, Civil Servant (B. of Trade - Seamans Reg) born Hampton Court.
Jessie Teevan, 40, born Cambridge.
Died at Islington, London, on the 23rd of January 1902.
Deaths registered
Percival Rourke Teevan aged 77 years, March Quarter 1902, Islington.
Jessie Teevan [son's wife], aged 49 years, December Quarter 1907, Wandsworth.
Anna Teevan (2nd wife), aged 66 years (sic), June Quarter 1910, Steyning.
He is shown in the St. Catherine's House records as dying in the Islington District, aged 77 years, during the January-March quarter of 1902. He was named as Percival Rourke Teevan at this time.
Letters of administration were granted to his widow, Annie Teevan, on the 25th of February 1902, the value of his estate being £309/0/11d. From his widow's Christian name he would appear to have been twice married. (He had sent money from the Crimea to his wife, Esther Teevan.)
An obituary appeared in The Times on the 4th of February 1902:
"Captain Rourke Teevan, Quartermaster, Retired, Late 11th Hussars, who died at his residence, No. 36 Hanley Road, London, N4, on the 23rd of January, aged 77 years, was one of the members of the famous Balaclava Light Brigade.
He served with the 11th Hussars in Bulgaria from July to September of 1854, went through the whole of the Crimean campaign, and was present at the affair of the Bulganak, battles of the Alma, Inkerman and the Tchernya, at the Siege and fall of Sebastopol, the surprise of Mackenzie's Farm and other engagements.
He also received the French War Medal for conspicuous gallantry in leading the left troop of the right squadron into, and bringing them out of action at the charge of Balaclava, at which he was wounded, the Turkish medal and also the Crimean medal with the four clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol.
He became Quartermaster of the 11th Hussars in 1865 and received the Honorary rank of Captain in 1878."
He was buried in Grave No. 3330P. Allen's Path, in the St. Pancras and Islington Cemetery, London, under the name of Percival Teevan.
[Source: EJB, Neg_417-16, date uncertain [probably 1980s].
The erected headstone bears the inscription:
"In Loving Memory of Capt. Rourke Teevan, Late 11th Hussars. Died 23rd Jany 1902, aged 77. Balaklava, Sebastopol, Inkerman, Alma. One of the Six Hundred."
(There is a photograph of his tombstone in the 11th Hussar file.)
EJB, 1986: The whole cemetery area is now very neglected, and is scheduled for early clearance.
![Captain Teevan's gravestone photographed in [date?]. Click to enlarge.](/allmen/allmenT/allmenT_11H/teevan_p_1159_11H/teevan_p_1159_11H_gravestone.jpg "Captain Teevan's gravestone photographed in [date?]. Click to enlarge.")
[Source: Photograph by Mark Hillary, 18.11.2006, http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/300154282/in/set-72157594377961481/ (accessed 28.12.2013).]
1911 Census
41, Cato Road, Clapham SW.
Percival Rourke [son], 53, widower, Clerk Civil Service born Brighton [sic].
Including Housekeeper.
Death registered
Percival R Teevan [son], aged 68 years, September Quarter 1934, Rochford.
P. R. Teevan, 11th Hussars
Lot 956, 17 Sep 04
Date of Auction: 17th September 2004
Sold for £6,000
Estimate: £6,000 - £8,000
A fine French Medaille Militare group of three awarded to Honorary Captain P. R. Teevan, 11th Hussars, who was wounded during the charge of the Light Brigade while serving as a Troop Sergeant-Major
Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjeant Major P. R. Teeran, 11th Prince Albert's Own Hussars), contemporary engraved naming in an accepted regimental style; French Medaille Militare, silver, gilt and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (1159 Qr. Mr. Serjt. Rourke Teevan, XI P.A.O. Hussars), regimentally impressed naming, this last fitted with decorated swivel-ring suspension, the second sometime refurbished but the enamel work now largely lacking, contact wear and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine (3) £6000-8000
Footnote
Patrick Rourke Teevan was born in Co. Carlow in July 1834 and enlisted in the 11th Hussars at Dublin in July 1843, aged 19 years. Advanced to Corporal in June 1848, to Sergeant in September 1851 and to Troop Sergeant-Major in August 1854, he landed in the Crimea in the following month.
He was subsequently 'present at the battles of Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Tchernaya, the siege of Sebastopol, the surprise of McKenzie's Farm, and other engagements', and was awarded the French Medaille Militare 'for conspicuous gallantry in leading the left troop of the right squadron into, and bringing out of the action at the charge of Balaklava, in which he was wounded' (Times obituary, 14 February 1902, refers).
Having recovered from his wound, which Lummis states to have been to his right hand, and participated in the actions listed above, Teevan was briefly attached to the Land Transport Corps from March to April 1856, and returned home with the 11th Hussars in July of the same year.
As a result of the usual "reduction of the establishment" at the end of the Crimea War, he reverted to the rank of Sergeant, but in April 1858, he was advanced to Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant. Further promotion followed when he was commissioned as a Quarter-Master in November 1865, and in July of the following year he was embarked with the regiment for India. Here he remained until June 1869, when he returned home on sick leave, but in March 1870 he rejoined the regiment at Muttra. He was finally placed on the Retired List with the rank of Honorary Captain in March 1876.Teevan, who became a member of the Balaklava Commemoration Society in 1879, attended the Officers' Balaklava Dinners in 1892 and 1893. According to Lummis 'a very popular officer in the regiment', he died in London on 23 January 1902, and was interred in Islington cemetery. His gravestone survives to this day, and bears the simple epitaph, "One of the Six Hundred".
Sold with original Times obituary cutting, fragments of the recipient's original medal ribands, and a somewhat worn bullion / cloth uniform badge of the 11th Hussars.
Patrick Rourke Teevan, 11th Hussars
Lot 530, 22 Jul 15
Date of Auction: 22nd July 2015
Sold for £5,500
Estimate: £6,000 - £8,000
A fine 'Light Brigade' French Medaille Militare group of three awarded to Honorary Captain P. R. Teevan, 11th Hussars, who was wounded during the charge at Balaklava while serving as a Troop Sergeant-Major
Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjeant Major P. R. Teeran, 11th Prince Albert's Own Hussars), contemporary engraved naming in an accepted regimental style; French Medaille Militaire, silver, gilt and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (1159 Qr. Mr. Serjt. Rourke Teevan, XI P.A.O. Hussars), regimentally impressed naming, this last fitted with decorated swivel-ring suspension, the second sometime refurbished but the enamel work now largely lacking, contact wear and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine (3) £6000-8000
Footnote
Patrick Rourke Teevan was born in Co. Carlow in July 1834 and enlisted in the 11th Hussars at Dublin in July 1843, aged 19 years. Advanced to Corporal in June 1848, to Sergeant in September 1851 and to Troop Sergeant-Major in August 1854, he landed in the Crimea in the following month.
He was subsequently 'present at the battles of Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Tchernaya, the siege of Sebastopol, the surprise of McKenzie's Farm, and other engagements', and was awarded the French Medaille Militare 'for conspicuous gallantry in leading the left troop of the right squadron into, and bringing out of the action at the charge of Balaklava, in which he was wounded' (The Times obituary, 14 February 1902, refers).
Having recovered from his wound, which Lummis states to have been to his right hand, and participated in the actions listed above,Teevan was briefly attached to the Land Transport Corps from March to April 1856, and returned home with the 11th Hussars in July of the same year.
As a result of the usual "reduction of the establishment" at the end of the Crimea War, he reverted to the rank of Sergeant, but in April 1858, he was advanced to Regimental Quarter-Master Sergeant. Further promotion followed when he was commissioned as a Quarter-Master in November 1865, and in July of the following year he was embarked with the regiment for India. Here he remained until June 1869, when he returned home on sick leave, but in March 1870 he rejoined the regiment at Muttra. He was finally placed on the Retired List with the rank of Honorary Captain in March 1876. Teevan, who became a member of the Balaklava Commemoration Society in 1879, attended the Officers' Balaklava Dinners in 1892 and 1893. According to Lummis 'a very popular officer in the regiment', he died in London on 23 January 1902, and was interred in Islington cemetery. His gravestone survives to this day, and bears the simple epitaph, "One of the Six Hundred".
Sold with original Times obituary cutting; a somewhat worn bullion/cloth uniform badge of the 11th Hussars, and a copied portrait photograph.
Additional marriage, birth and death registrations, and Census information for 1851, 1861, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 kindly provided by Chris Poole.