Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military), Chapel Stall Plate, brass, with contemporary fire-gilt and cold enamel, ‘Andrew Pilkington, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army and Deputy Adjutant General of His Majesty’s Forces in Nova Scotia, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815’, minor enamel wear, good condition £300-400

Andrew Pilkington was born about 1867 and obtained his first commission in March 1783. Advanced to Lieutenant in January 1791, he commanded a company of the Queen’s Royals (2nd Foot) on board H.M.S. Royal George at the ‘Glorious First of June’, when Lord Howe defeated the French off Ushant, an action that witnessed him receiving two splinter wounds. Many years later he became one of a handful of Army recipients to be awarded the Naval General Service Medal with the ‘1st June 1794’ clasp.

Advanced to Captain in March 1795, Pilkington was next employed in the West Indies and was present in the operations in Trinidad between 1795-97, but returned home in time to participate in the suppression of the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. Afterwards present in the expedition to the Helder in 1799, he once more saw action at sea when en route to India in the Kent in the following year, when she was attacked by a large French privateer. Severely wounded in this latter action, Pilkington had sufficiently recovered to participate as a Major in the second expedition to the Helder in 1805.

Then in 1809, following a couple of years on the staff at Horse Guards, he was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel and embarked for Nova Scotia. Here, over the ensuing six years, he commanded several successful expeditions, reducing the islands in Passamaquody Bay, between New Brunswick and Maine. Created a C.B. in June 1815, he became a full Colonel in August 1819 and a Major-General in July 1830. Sir Andrew died at his residence, Catsfield Place, Battle, Sussex in February 1853, having been created a K.C.B. in July 1838 and advanced to Lieutenant-General in November 1841.