Douglas de Fenzi

[William Douglas]

Researching the Douglas of Garvald family, I encountered the Douglas de Fenzi family

Confusing press reports - Douglas of Garvald - The Douglas Archives...

Returning to that research, I found a South African army officer with an interesting background.

A gravemarker records the following:

In loving memory of John Douglas de Fenzi
Late Captain of the
British German Legion
and formerly of the
Prussian Guard Cuirassiers
who died 25th Octr 1871
Aged 45 years
The Lord is my shepherd
illegible

In 1854 the British government began recruiting mercenaries in Europe to fight in the Crimean War. The war was over before any of the three German, Swiss, and Italian legions raised could reach the front, and the government was faced with the problem of disposing of these redundant mercenaries. It was consequently relieved to oblige when the High Commissioner for South Africa requested military settlers for British Kaffraria. The men of the British German Legion (BGL) were encouraged to volunteer, and in 1856 the majority did so. They proved unsuccessful settlers, however. In 1858 half of them volunteered for military service in the Indian Mutiny, and those remaining in British Kaffraria were disbanded in 1861.

John Douglas de Fenzi apparently chose not to go to India, but my interest, beyond his family connection, is how did he become a member of the Prussian Guard Cuirassiers?  Was this also a mercenary role?

Presumably, he was living in Britain when recruited for the BGL - or was he in Germany?

What role did he have in the Prussian Guard Cuirassiers? And where?