Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, G.C.B. (Military) breast star, silver, gold applique and enamel, reverse inscribed, ‘R. & S. Garrard & Co., Goldsmiths & Jewellers to the Crown, 25 Haymarket, London’ and, ‘Admiral Sir Sidney Colpoys Dacres, 1871’, minor enamel damage to crowns, good very fine £900-1200

Admiral Sir Sidney Colpoys Dacres was born in 1805 and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in 1817. He gained the rank of Sub-Lieutenant in 1824, Lieutenant in 1827, Commander in 1834 and Captain in 1840. As a Lieutenant on H.M.S. Blonde he was employed on shore in command of four guns and a division of seamen at the taking of the Morea Castle. As Commander of H.M.S. Salamander he served on and off the north coast of Spain and was frequently engaged with the Carlist forces. In the Crimea War he was Captain of H.M.S. Sanspareil and served in the attack on Fort Constantine at Sebastopol. Appointed a C.B. in 1855; he was promoted Rear-Admiral in 1858. He was created a Knight Commander (K.C.B.) in 1865 and was in the same year promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral. He attained the rank of Admiral in 1870 and was created a G.C.B. in 1871. During his naval career he was awarded the French Legion of Honour, Officer; Greek Royal Order of the Redeemer, Knight; Turkish Order of Medjidie, 3rd Class; Spanish Royal and Military Order of St. Ferdinand, ‘Jewelled Cross’, and Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword.