Militaria including the Collection of the late RE Handley

John Spring Hamilton 5th (Northumberland) Fusiliers, Oil Painting. A very fine 19th century oval portrait on card most probably after a miniature (c1808-15). Hamilton is shown wearing a scarlet coatee with green facings and silver buttons, a single silver laced epaulette, white shoulder belt and oval silver plate. A black stock and white shirt frill complete the picture. (25 x 19.7cm) set within a gilt card mount and maple wood frame. The shoulder belt plate features the regimental motto ‘Quo Fata Vocant’ over St. George slaying the Dragon, early hand-written service details on the reverse, very good condition, £600-800

John Spring Hamilton was born on 5 June 1784, son of Captain John Hamilton, 5th Foot, and Catherine Spring. He was appointed Ensign in the 5th Foot on 30 October 1799; Lieutenant, 12 November 1800; Captain, 25 February 1808; Captain, 99th Foot, 25 December 1818; Major, 1st Royal Veteran Battalion, 27 May 1825; Captain, 19th Foot, 12 October 1826; placed on half pay, 12 October 1830.

Hamilton served in the expedition to Hanover in 1805, and in South America at the storming of Buenos Ayres, 5 July 1807. He served in the Peninsula with the 1st Battalion, 5th Foot, from July 1809 to December 1810, and with the 2nd Battalion from June 1812 to April 1814. He was present at the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria and Nivelle, at which battle he was taken prisoner, 10 November 1813, and remained captive until the end of the war.

Major Hamilton died in 1869 and was awarded the M.G.S. medal with three clasps for Salamanca, Vittoria and Nivelle. This medal along with other family medals was sold by Messrs Glendining’s in December 1990.