GO Gustav Emil Bernhard Bodo von Kessel

[Deutschritter]

Gentlemen, this is what I have on Gustav von Kessel (thanks the help I have already received), any additions and corrections welcome:

 

1.5.1864 Grenadier und Avantageur (Officer Candidate)

11.10.1865 Sekonde-Lieutenant (2nd Lieutenant)

22.3.1872 Premier-Lieutenant (1st Lieutenant)

18.2.1878 Hauptmann (Captain)

22.3.1885 Major

13.8.1889 Oberst-Lieutenant (Lieutenant Colonel)

18.10.1891 Oberst (Colonel)

21.3.1896 Generalmajor

25.3.1899 Generalleutnant

29.5.1903 General der Infanterie

27.1.1911 Generaloberst

 

Awards

 

Erinnerungs-Kreuz für den Feldzug von 1866

Imperial Russian Sankt-Stanislaus-Orden, III. Class (RSt3)

Iron Cross (1870), 2nd Class

War Commemorative Medal of 1870–1871 (Kaiserliche Kriegsdenkmünze 1870/71; KD70/71) with three battle clasps

Red Eagle Order (Roter Adlerorden), 4th Class (PRAO4/PrA4)

Order of Albert the Bear, Knight Cross 1st Class (AAB3a/AB3a)

Saxe-Ernestine House Order, Knight Cross 1st Class (HSEH3a/HSH3a)

Prussian Long Service Cross for 25 years (Königlich Preußisches Dienstauszeichnungskreuz; DA)

Princely House Order of Hohenzollern (Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sches Ehrenzeichen), Cross of Honour III. Class (HEK3)

Order of the Cross of Takovo (Serbia), Commander (ST3)

Order of Charles III (Spain), Knight (SC3)

Baden Order of the Zähringer Lion (Orden vom Zähringer Löwen), Knight's Cross I. Class (BZL3a/BZ3a)

Knight's Cross of the Italian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (JMuL5/JM5)

Order of Isabella the Catholic, Commander 2nd Class (SJ2b)

Friedrichs-Orden, Commander's Cross (Kommenturkreuz), 2nd Class (WF2b)

Military Merit Order (Bavaria), Knight's Cross I. Class (BMV3a)

Order of Saint Michael (Bavaria), Commander (BStMV2b/BM2b)

Order of the White Falcon (Hausorden vom Weißen Falken), Commander's Cross (GSF2)

Commemorative plaque for the royal princes, general adjutants and adjutants of Friedrich III (Gedenkzeichen für die Königlichen Prinzen, Generaladjutanten und Flügeladjutanten von Kaiser Friedrich III.)

... Although qualified to wear the commemorative plaque of Wilhelm II, he chose to honour Friedrich III, whose personal adjutant (when Friedrich was Crown Prince) he became in 1883 and whose wing aide (Flügeladjutant) he became in 1888 on the day he was crowned Emperor and King, by wearing his first and original badge.

Prussian Order of the Crown (Preußischer Kronenorden), 3rd Class

House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight's Cross (HOH3)

Bavarian Military Merit Order, Commander's Cross (BMV2b)

... since ranking list 1906 renamed Military Merit Order II. Class (BMV2)

Baden Order of the Zähringer Lion, Commander 2nd Class (BZL2b/BZ2b) in 1888

Albrechts-Orden of Saxony, Commander 2nd Class (SA2b)

Swedish Order of the Sword, Commander 2nd Class (SS2b) on 27 July 1888

Danish Order of Dannebrog, Commander 1st Class (DD2a) on 30 July 1888

Lippe House Order (Fürstlich Lippischer Hausorden), Cross of Honour (Ehrenkreuz) 2nd Class (LH.EK2/LH2)

Order of the Iron Crown (Austria), 2nd Class (ÖEK2)

Russian Order of Saint Anna (St.-Annen-Orden), II. Class (RA2)

Order of the Redeemer (Greece), Commander (GE2b)

Order of the Crown of Italy, Commander (JK3)

Ottoman Medschidie-Orden (Medjidie-Orden), 2nd Class (TM2)

Red Eagle Order, 3rd Class with the Bow

Order of Henry the Lion (Herzoglich Braunschweigischer Orden Heinrichs des Löwen), Commander's Cross 2nd Class (BrHL2b/BrH2b)

Order of Leopold (Belgium), Officer (BL2b)

Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, Commander II. Class (NO2b) on 2 July 1890

Saxe-Ernestine House Order, Commander 2nd Class (HSEH2b/HSH2b)

Württemberg Order of the Crown, Commander (WK2/WK2b)

Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, Commander (NL2)

Austrian-Hungarian Imperial Order of Leopold, Commander (ÖL2) in 1891

Order of the Star of Romania, Commander (StvRum2b/RumSt2b/RumSt3)

Prussian Order of the Crown, 2nd Class

House Order of the Wendish Crown (Hausorden der Wendischen Krone), Grand Officer (MWK2a/MK2a)

Star to his Commander's Cross of the Order of the White Falcon (GSF2mSt)

Italian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, Commander (JMuL3/JM3)

Franz-Joseph-Orden, Commander with Star (ÖFJ2mSt/ÖFJ2a) in 1892

Swedish Order of the Sword, Commander 1st Class (SS2a)

Princely House Order of Hohenzollern (Fürstlich Hohenzollern'sches Ehrenzeichen), Commander's Cross of Honour (HEK2a)

Saxe-Ernestine House Order, Commander 1st Class (HSEH2a/HSH2a)

Crown to his Red Eagle Order 3rd Class with the Bow

Albrechts-Orden of Saxony, Commander 1st Class (SA2a)

Anniversary Oak Leaves (Jubiläums-Eichenlaub „25“ 1870/1895) to the Iron Cross 2nd Class

House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis, Ehren-Großkomturkreuz or Grand Commanders Cross (OV2a)

Russian Order of Saint Stanislaus, 1st Class (RSt1)

Red Eagle Order, 2nd Class with Oak Leaves and the Crown

Prussian Centenary Medal 1897 (Zentenarmedaille)

Grand Cross of the Mecklenburg Order of the Griffon (MGrO1/MG1)

The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Siam (Orden der Siamesischen Krone), Grand Cross (SK1)

Star to his Prussian Order of the Crown 2nd Class

House Order of Hohenzollern, Commander's Cross (HOH2)

Silver medal affiliated with the Order of Imtiaz (TNJmsM/TsM)

Gold medal affiliated with the Order of Imtiaz (TNJmgM/TgM)

Ottoman Medschidie-Orden (Medjidie-Orden), 1st Class (TM1)

Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross (SJ1) on 7 November 1889

Order of the Redeemer (Greece), Grand Cross (GE1)

Star to his Red Eagle Order 2nd Class with Oak Leaves and the Crown

Order of the White Falcon, Grand Cross (GSF1)

Order of the Crown of Italy, Grand Cross (JK1)

Order of the Iron Crown (Austria), 1st Class (ÖEK1) in 1888

Russian Order of Saint Anna (St.-Annen-Orden), 1st Class (RA1)

Ottoman Osmanie-Orden (Osmanije), 1st Class with Diamonds (TO1mBr/TürkO1m.Br)

Prussian Order of the Crown, 1st Class

Royal Victorian Order, Honorary Grand Cross (GV1) on 18 January 1901

Order of Orange-Nassau, Grand Cross (NN1)

Red Eagle Order, 1st Class with Oak Leaves and the Crown

Albrechts-Orden of Saxony, Grand Cross (SA1)

Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1st Class (JZ1)

Italian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, Grand Cross (JMuL1/JM1)

Imperial Persien Order of the Lion and the Sun, Grand Cross with Diamonds (PL1mBr)

Princely House Order of Hohenzollern, Cross of Honour 1st Class with Swords (HEK1)

Belgian Order of Leopold, Grand Cordon (BelgL1/BL1)

Russian Order of the White Eagle (RWA)

... with this, he also received the highest class of all subordinated orders.

Order of Albert the Bear, Grand Cross (AAB1/AB1)

Red Eagle Order, Grand Cross with Oak Leaves and the Crown

House Order of the Wendish Crown, Grand Cross with the Crown in Gold (MWK1b/MK1b)

Gold Star to his Albrechts-Orden of Saxony Grand Cross (SA1mgSt)

Bulgarian Order of Saint Alexander, Grand Cross (BA1)

House Order of Hohenzollern, Star of the Commander

Saxe-Ernestine House Order, Grand Cross (HSH1)

Austrian-Hungarian Imperial Order of Leopold, Grand Cross (ÖL1) in 1905

Swedish Schwertorden, Grand Cross (SS1) in 1905

Order of Prince Danilo I, Knight Grand Cross (MU1)

Erinnerungszeichen zur Silbernen Hochzeit 1906

Danish Order of Dannebrog, Grand Cross (DD1) on 19 November 1906

Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, Grand Cross (NO1) on 15 December 1906

Spanish Cross of Military Merit, 4th Class or Grand Cross (SMV4)

Order of Berthold the First, Grand Cross (BBI.1) in 1908

Black Eagle Order (Schwarzer Adlerorden) with the Chain

Chain (Kette) to his Swedish Schwertorden Grand Cross (SS1mK)

Bavarian Military Merit Order, Grand Cross (BMV.G.Kr)

Württemberg Order of the Crown, Grand Cross (WK1)

Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, 1st Class (JV1)

Order of Alexander Nevsky with Diamonds (RANmBr)

House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis, Ehren-Großkreuz or Grand Cross (OV1)

Chinese Order of the Double Dragon, 1st Class, 3rd Grade (CDI.3)

Prussian House Order of Hohenzollern, Grand Commander's Cross

Order of Saint Hubert (BH)

Order of Military Merit (Bulgaria), Grand Cross with Diamonds (BMO1mBr)

 

WWI

 

Iron Cross, 2nd Class repetition clasp (1914) to the EK II (1870)

Iron Cross (1914), 1st Class

Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe (VK)

Lippe-Detmold War Merit Cross (Lippisches Kriegsverdienstkreuz; LK)

Swords to his Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Cross of Honour 1st Class (HEK1⚔)

Swords to his Bavarian Military Merit Order Grand Cross (BMV G.Kr.⚔/BMV.G.Kr⚔)

Swords to his Württemberg Order of the Crown Grand Cross (WK1⚔)

Edited July 8, 2023 by Deutschritter

[Great Dane]

Interestingly, in the Norwegian State Calendar (1908), there are 2 v. Kessel in the same list... are these 2 different v. Kessels?

(I know members of noble families often had similar names and similar careers...)

 

Order of St. Olav, Grand Cross:

"v. Kessel, G. E. B. B., Prussian general. 15/12 1906"

 

Order of St. Olav, Commander 2nd Class:

"v. Kessel, G., Prussian general (infantry), aide to the Emperor, 2/7 1890."

[Deutschritter]

2 minutes ago, Great Dane said:

Interestingly, in the Norwegian State Calendar (1908), there are 2 v. Kessel in the same list... are these 2 different v. Kessels?

(I know members of noble families often had similar names and similar careers...)

 

Order of St. Olav, Grand Cross:

"v. Kessel, G. E. B. B., Prussian general. 15/12 1906"

 

Order of St. Olav, Commander 2nd Class:

"v. Kessel, G., Prussian general (infantry), aide to the Emperor, 2/7 1890."

 

Thank you, that seems to be the same von Kessel!

Edited July 8, 2023 by Deutschritter

[Daniel Krause]

I quote: "... Although qualified to wear the commemorative plaque of Wilhelm II, he chose to honour Friedrich III, whose personal adjutant (when Friedrich was Crown Prince) he became in 1883 and whose wing aide (Flügeladjutant) he became in 1888 on the day he was crowned Emperor and King, by wearing his first and original badge..."

 

where do you have it from?

Quite common misunderstanding.

Adjutants did not wear the badge as long as they are serving.

 

see GStA I. HA Rep. 168 Abt. A Sect. IV (Acta generalia der General-Ordens-Kommission über das militärische Gefolge Seiner Majestät des Kaisers und über die Anlegung der Namenszüge der hochseligen Kaiser Wilhelm und Friedrich seitens der Königlichen Prinzen pp.

 

Flügeladjutanten get the badge when leaving service as Flügeladjutant more or less automatically, Generale a la Suite and Generaladjutanten get the badge by personal decision of Willy 2 himself - when leaving service. As long as they are in service, they wear the special Epaulettes and the Aguilettes.

As a Generaladjutant never left service, they were all in the Ranklist until their death, NO Generaladjutant of Willy 2 got the Generaladjutant-Badge before 1918.

26th of August  1919, after the abdication, the living former Adjus of Willy 2 got their badges.

 

Best,

Daniel

[Deutschritter]

Thank you, Daniel. As an expert maybe you can clear it up a bit more: Von Kessel received the Gedenkzeichen with "FR" after Kaiser Friedrich III died? Because he seems to have been wearing it pretty early, even as Generaladjutant of Kaiser Wilhelm II. I noticed, Sigurd von Ilsemann, seeing his wedding pictures 1920, was not wearing the badge, but in later pictures he was. Do you maybe have a date? Thank you! 

[Daniel Krause]

Sure.

Kessel was a Flügeladjutant of F III. and received his FR-Badge in 1888 according to 

GStA Rep. 168 Abt. A Sect. IV (Acta generalia der General-Ordens-Kommission über das militärische Gefolge Seiner Majestät des Kaisers und über die Anlegung der Namenszüge der hochseligen Kaiser Wilhelm und Friedrich seitens der Königlichen Prinzen pp. 1888-1893) as mentioned.

 

Kessel continued to serve as Diensttuender Flügeladjutant of W II. 15.06.1888 - 09.02.1893,

as he became CO of 1st Foot Guards - he remained Flügeladjutant, but not anymore "Diensttuend".

With his promotion to Generalmajor he became Diensttuender General á la Suite, 21.03.1896 - 27.01.1897,

as he became Cdr 1st Guards InfBrig he remained General á la suite  - again not anymore "Diensttuend",

following his promotion to LtGen, he was elevated to Generaladjutant 25.03.1899 and remained a Generaladjutant until his death in 1918.

So he was qualified for the FR-badge, but even if he remained in every possible Adjutants Position on W II - service, he did not qualify for another badge because he never LEFT Adjutants service.

IF he would have survived the years after WW1, he would have gotten his golden WR- Generaladjutant badge on the 26.08.1919.

 

Ilsemann, another case.

poor old Sigurd was Diensttuender Flügeladjutant until the death of W II.

Even as he never left service, W II. awarded him the Badge extraorinary as Ilsemann did mention it in his memoirs.

 

Best,

Daniel

[Deutschritter]

Thank you, Daniel!