Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Heavy Brigade C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel A. W. D. Burton, 5th Dragoon Guards, who led the regiment in the charge at Balaklava

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels by Thomas and Henry Davies, hallmarked London 1815, fitted with narrow swivel-ring suspension and gilt ribbon buckle; Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Bt. Major A. W. D. Burton, C.B., 5th Dragoon Guards) contemporary engraved naming; Order of the Medjidie, 5th class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed, very fine or better (4) £3000-3500

Provenance: Christie’s, November 1987, from ‘An important collection of officers awards relating to the Crimean War’.

Adolphus William Desart Burton was born in 1827, grandson of Sir Charles Burton, second Baronet of Pollacton, Co. Carlow. He was appointed Cornet in the 5th Dragoon Guards, from Ensign, 82nd Foot, on 30 May 1847, becoming Lieutenant in April 1849, and Captain in December 1852, all steps by purchase. He served in the Eastern Campaign of 1854-55, and commanded the 5th Dragoon Guards at the battle of Balaklava, for which he obtained brevet rank of Major and was awarded the C.B. He was also in command of the regiment at Inkermann, Tchernaya, and Sebastopol. He subsequently rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army and died on 11 February 1882.