Ralph Dundas

Ralph Dundas was born in 1730, the son of John Dundas of Manour, Perthshire and Anne Murray of Polmaise. The family was descended from the 1st Earl of Dunbar who lived in the 12th century. He joined the army as a cornet in the 4th Dragoons in 1755 but transferred to the 11th Dragoons in 1762 as a captain of a Troop. He fought in Germany under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick until the 11th returned to England. He was a major in 1770 and a lieutenant-colonel in 1775.
He was an zealous commander of the 11th, criticised by Horse Guards for the severe cuts he made in men and horses. He had many acrimonious arguments with the authorities on this issue. He was in charge when they were converted to light dragoons in 1783 and took the opportunity to remove the heavier men and horses to be transferred to heavy dragoon regiments. In 1790 things had settled down and the inspecting General wrote:
‘This is a highly finished regiment. The men are graceful and excellent, with a martial countenance and manner that exhibit an exalted state of discipline.’
By that time he was a full colonel. In 1790 he was promoted to major-general but still commanding the 11th Light Dragoons when they were sent to France under the Duke of York. On 24 May 1793 Dundas led the regiment in a successful attack on a French baggage train near Denain. They killed 50 men and took 55 prisoners and 8 wagons. Enemy cavalry tried to intervene but were dispersed. The 11th lost 3 men and 3 horses. There was a more memorable cavalry battle at Le Cateau on 26 April 1794 involving the 7th and 11th Light Dragoons along with Austrian cavalry. On 30 July 1794 he was appointed Colonel of the 8th Regiment of Foot which post he retained for 20 years until his death.
He was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1797, in command at Castle Martin, co Kildare. He was very much involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and fought at Ballymore on 23 May. He bravely went up Knockaulin Hill with two dragoons, on 27 May, to receive the surrendered arms of the rebels. His next campaign was in Holland in 1799 in which he again distinguished himself, in command of heavy cavalry. He was appointed Governor of Duncannon Fort in 1802.
He was married to Diana Moies in 1780 but she committed adultery and they divorced in 1796. They had a son, Ralph Peter Dundas of Manour. Lieutenant-General Ralph Dundas lived at Ravelrig House near Edinburgh. The caricature, drawn in 1790, is rather crude but clearly depicts him as a severe commanding officers shaking his fist at his men. He is dressed in light dragoon uniform although with a rather odd headdress. He died in London on 7 Feb 1814 at the age of 84.

Regimental Details | Colonels