Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Hamilton of Calcutta K.C.B. star made for Major-General Sir William Toone in about 1820

Order of the Bath (Military) K.C.B. breast star, silver, gold and enamels, 78mm, the three central crowns arranged concentrically, the reverse back-plate finely engraved with the arms of the Hon. East India Company and inscribed ‘Maj Genl Sir Wm Toone, K.C.B. - Hamilton & Co. Jewellers, Calcutta’, with hinged gold pin and gold prong fitments, minor enamel damage, otherwise good very fine and rare £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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A most unusual star and the only recorded piece by this maker from this early period (1820). Clearly modelled on a Rundell Bridge & Rundell pattern star, the body is significantly heavier and the concentric arrangement of the crowns at variance with the norm.

Major-General Sir William Toone (1749-1822) took part in the campaign against the Rajah of Benares in August 1781; the action at Bamnagar 19 September 1781, as a Lieutenant in command of a party of 47 men of the Governor General’s Body Guard. Was serving with the Murshidabad Sebundy Corps in 1784; 5th Bengal European Battalion in July 1787 and December 1788; to 30th Battalion Sepoys in September 1791; to 3rd Native Cavalry in June 1797, and to 2nd Native Cavalry in November 1798 as Captain Lieutenant. Served as Major 2nd Native Cavalry in the operations in Jumna Doab in 1803, and during the Second Mahratta War, including the battle of Delhi and action at Laswari. Posted as Lieutenant-Colonel to 1st Native Cavalry in 1804, and to the command of the Corps of Hill Rangers in June 1805. Commandant of Buxar Fort, October 1806 until 1819. Major-General on the general staff commanding the Dinapore Division from May 1820 till death.

He was made a C.B. on 7 April 1815 and promoted to K.C.B. on 26 November 1819. Major-General Sir William Toone died at Dinapore on 16 August 1822.