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

Six: Rear Admiral C. A. W. Hamilton, Royal Navy

Coronation 1911; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Sub. Lt. C. A. W. Hamilton, R.N. H.M.S. “Dee”); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (Lieut. C. A. W. Hamilton, R.N. H.M.S. Turquoise); China 1900, no clasp (Commr. C. A. W. Hamilton, R.N. H.M.S. Rosario); Khedive’s Star 1882; Spain, Order of Naval Merit, (later ‘Franco’ type replacement), breast badge in gilt and enamel, cross in white enamel, chip to anchor on the last, some pitting and contact marks but generally better than very fine (6) £600-700

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, 12.2.1997.

Claud Hamilton was born at 29 St Aubyn Street, Devonport on 3 April 1861, and entered the service as a Naval Cadet on 15 July 1874 aboard H.M.S. Britannia. He subsequently served aboard Monarch, which he joined as a Midshipman on 21 October 1876, Raleigh (1877-79), and Northumberland (1879-80). Promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 21 October 1880, he joined Hecla (January to June 1882), and Dee (22 June to 13 November 1882). He was promoted to Lieutenant on 7 September 1883 whilst serving aboard the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert for two months.

He took part in the Burma Campaign aboard Turquoise (23 May 1884 to 6 December 1887) and served on shore with the Naval Brigade from 11 November 1885 until 12 January 1886. He then joined Linnet ((1888-92), Lion (1893-96) where he was promoted to Commander on 31 December 1895, and served next aboard Active (1896-98) and as Commander and Acting Captain aboard Rosario (1900-03), receiving the confirmed rank of Captain upon leaving her on 30 June 1903.

His last seagoing appointment was the Command of Aboukir (1907-09). On 8 April 1907 the King of Spain honoured many British Naval Officers, including Captain Claud Hamilton, who received the Naval Order of Merit 3rd Class. H.M.S. Aboukir formed part of the British Squadron through which the King of Spain, aboard his Yacht Giralda, steamed at Cartagena to a twenty-one gun salute from all ships on 8 April 1907. That evening the King of Spain, the Queen Mother and King Edward VII, the British Flag Officers and Captains dined on board the Numancia. Prior to this dinner the Spanish Decorations were presented by the King of Spain and King Edward VII immediately gave directions that the Spanish Orders could be accepted and worn forthwith. Hamilton was retired with the rank of Rear Admiral on 3 June 1913 and died of heart failure on 21 January 1940.