TINDAL,

RALPH / RAPHAËL / ROLPH DUNDAS BARON

by Geert van Uythoven

Born in Deventer (Netherlands) on 24 February 1773. Of Scottish origin.

Army of the Dutch Republic 1792 - 1795

Started his military career when 12 years old, as a cadet with the Dutch Infantry Regiment 'Stuart' of Scottish origin (25 February 1785). His father served in the same regiment as a captain. In 1787 he was promoted ensign. Serving in Holland 1787, but soon left the army, siding with the patriots. Re-entered the Dutch army in 1794 as ensign again, serving in the Infantry Regiment 'Bentinck'. Promoted lieutenant. Transferred to the Jagers van Bylandt, campaign of 1794 in the Southern Netherlands.

Batavian Army 1795 - 1806

Transferred in 1795 to the Batavian army, serving in the 1st Jager Battalion. Promoted 1st lieutenant in this battalion on 1 September 1795. Campaign of 1796 in Germany. In 1797 he embarked on the roads of Den Helder for the invasion of Great Britain, but nothing came of it. Serving at the coasts of the Batavian Republic 1798-1799. Campaign in North Holland 1799; wounded three times during the British invasion of Holland on 27 August. Participated in the battle of Bergen 19 September. Serving with the ‘army of reserve’ in Hanover 1803 – 1806. Promoted captain on 6 December 1799. In 1805 he transferred the Guard of the 'raadspensionaris' Schimmelpenninck.

Dutch Army 1806 - 1810

1806 when Louis Bonaparte became king of the Kingdom of Holland, he transferred to the Guard of the King of Holland. Promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 16 February 1807. Promoted major on 23 March 1808 of the Guard Grenadier Regiment (during the Kingdom of Holland, the rank of major was higher then the rank of lieutenant-colonel). He became a full colonel on 17 February 1809. Serving in Brabant 1809. Appointed commander of the Order of the Union in 1809. When the Dutch Republic became a part of the French Empire, Tindal transferred to the French Imperial Guard.

French Army 1810 - 1814

Tindal became colonel of the 2nd, later 3rd (Dutch) Grenadier Regiment of the French Imperial Guard on 30 October 1810. Received the Ordre de Réunion, and became a knight of the Légion d’honneur. Promoted général de brigade of the Imperial Guard on 2 January 1812, but retaining command of the regiment. Participating in the Russian campaign 1812; battle of Krasnoe, were Tindal distinguished himself at the head of his regiment in the desperate fighting against the overwhelming Russian force. Appointed officer of the Légion d’honneur. Adjutant-general of the Chasseurs à Pied of the Imperial Guard on 15 February 1813. Made a baron of the empire, with a dotation of 7,000 francs, on 12 April 1813. Campaign in Germany in 1813, were Tindal received on 9 February command of the 2nd Brigade of the Division de Jeune Garde (Barrois). This became on 10 April the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Young Guard Division (Dumoustier), and finally the 2nd Brigade of the same Division 15 August. Battles of Lützen (2 May), where he participated in the capture of Rahna, and Bautzen (20-21 May). During the battle of Dresden on 26 August, while defending a gate, he was severely wounded by a musket ball in his leg. His wound forced him to leave the army and he left for Versailles. Appointed commander of the Légion d’honneur. Promoted général de division of the Imperial Guard on 7 September 1813. He requested and received his dismissal from the French army on 28 June 1814.

Netherlands Army 1814 - 1815

He entered the Netherlands army, becoming a lieutenant-general on 31 July 1814. Appointed general inspector of the southern provinces on 18 august 1814. Charged with the War Administration of the southern provinces on 13 December 1814. Tindal was not completely trusted though, so in 1815 he had no active part in the fighting against Napoleon. Instead, he was appointed commander of the Netherlands Reserve Army on 15 May. Appointed commander of the Militaire Willemsorde on 8 July 1815 (for former services).

Later years 1815 - 1834

Appointed general inspector of the infantry. Held this post until 15 August 1818, when he received command of the 6th Greater Military Command. Later he exchanged this for the 2nd Greater Military Command. In December 1828 promoted to general of infantry, receiving command of the 1st Greater Military Command, headquarters in Utrecht. He held this post until his death. Tindal was also made a baron of the Netherlands. Tindal died in Zeist (near Utrecht) on 4 August 1834.

Tindal was married with Helena Hartkamp and had four sons:

- D. baron Tindal, died as a pensioned captian of the general staff;

- G.A. Tindal, pensioned as naval captain;

- L.J. Tindal, captain of the artillery;

- W.F. Tindal, cavalry-captain and chamberlord of the King in 1859.

His brother, Barend Tindal, also served in the same regiment as captain and adjutant-major. He however was killed during the retreat out of Russia 1812.

© Geert van Uythoven