Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Order of St Anne awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac B. Clarke, C.B., 2nd Royal North British Dragoons (Scots Greys), who was wounded, had four horses shot under him and succeeded to the command of the regiment after Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton was killed

Russia, Imperial Order of St Anne, 3rd Class breast badge in gold and enamels, circa 1815, 34mm, later small rings for suspension, red enamel damaged on all but three panels, small chip to reverse centre and both centres a little rubbed, fine and scarce £3000-4000

This badge, together with his Waterloo Medal and C.B., was purchased from a direct descendant of Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke and sold to the present vendor.

This award was announced in a despatch from Field-Marshal The Duke of Wellington, dated Head Quarters, Paris, the 8th of October, 1815, containing a list of officers upon whom His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Russia had conferred Decorations of The Order of St. Anne, 'in testimony of His Imperial Majesty's approbation of their services and conduct, particularly in the late battles fought in the Netherlands.'

Isaac Blake Clarke was appointed an Ensign in the 2nd Dragoons in 1795; Lieutenant in 1796; Captain 7 September 1797; Major 16 June 1807; brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 4 June 1813. Whilst a Captain, Clarke served on the Staff of the Southern District, and did the duty of Assistant-Adjutant-General. He served in Flanders and was present at the battle of Waterloo, in which battle he had four horses killed under him and was himself wounded. Upon Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton being killed in action, Major Clarke took command of the regiment and brought it out of action. He was appointed a Companion of the Bath on 22 June 1815, and promoted Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment on 20 July 1815. Colonel Clarke died at St Peter’s, Isle of Thanet, on 7 January 1850, aged 76.