Orders, Decorations and Medals

The superb Egyptian War C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel Denzil Hammill, Gordon Highlanders, who led the 1st Gordons in the charge of the Highland Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir, and again commanded the regiment at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai, and in the Nile Expedition

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1857, maker’s mark ‘WN’ for William Neale, complete with swivel-ring bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 4 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85 (Lieut-Col. D. Hammill, 1/Gord. Highrs.); Order of the Medjidie, 3rd Class neck badge, silver, gold and enamels; Khedive’s Star 1882, very fine or better (4) £3000-3500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Gordon Highlanders and Associated Units from the Collection of A.J. Henderson.

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Denzil Hammill was born at New Brighton, Cheshire, on 11 July 1840, and was commissioned as an Ensign into the 75th Regiment on 16 January 1858. He rose steadily through the ranks to that of Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1880, when he succeeded to the command of the 1st Gordons. He served throughout the Egyptian War of 1882 in command of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, when the Highland Brigade stormed the trenches in the dark, the 1st Gordons between the Camerons and the Black Watch, led by Colonel Hammill and Major Boyes, who jumped their horses over the parapet amidst a hail of fire from the enemies trenches. For his services during the campaign he was mentioned in despatches, made a Companion of the Bath and received the 3rd Class of the Medjidie.

Hammill next served in the Soudan Expedition under Sir Gerald Graham in 1884, again in command of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was present at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai; ‘surely soldiers never saw a finer sight than the Gordons presented when, led by Colonel Hammill and Major Boyes, both mounted, they advanced over the rifle pits to storm the battery at Teb.’ Hammill was again mentioned in despatches and received the brevet of Colonel. He subsequently commanded the 1st Gordons in the Nile Expedition in 1884-85 and with the River Column under Major-General Earle. In addition to his other honours, Hammill received the Egyptian medal with four clasps and the Khedive’s Bronze Star. He retired and was made Honorary Major-General in October 1885. Sold with full muster details.