Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Royal Guelphic Order, G.C.H. (Military) Knight Grand Cross breast star in silver with gold swords and gold and enamel centre, 87mm. diameter, unsigned but of extremely high quality manufacture, the reverse inscribed ‘General Sir Josiah Champagne’ and fitted with gold double-pronged pin, some very minor enamel chips to wreath, otherwise extremely fine £4000-5000

Josiah Champagné was the maternal uncle of Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, K.G. (1768-1854). He joined the Army on 28 January 1775 as an ensign in the 31st Regiment of Foot. In March 1776 he embarked with his regiment, landed in America in May, and remained on active service till the peace, when he returned to England. On 11 July 1777 he obtained his lieutenancy, in April 1783 a company in the 99th Regiment of Foot, and in March 1784 a company in the 3rd Regiment of Foot. Captain Champagné joined his corps in May 1784 in Jamaica, and in 1785 went with the expedition to the Spanish main; he continued in the West Indies five years, then returned to England. In 1793 he again embarked for the West Indies under Sir Charles Grey, but proceeded to the relief of Nieuport. On 18 September he was appointed to a majority in the 80th Regiment of Foot and on 19 December to a lieutenant-colonelcy. In 1794 he again went to the Continent, and returned with the army in 1795. He twice embarked in the latter year in command of his regiment for the coast of France; the misfortune at Quiberon prevented the first expedition from proceeding beyond Plymouth; the second, under Major-General Doyle, took possession of Isle de Dieu, and remained on that service until January 1796, when he returned to England.

In March 1796 Lieutenant-Colonel Champagné embarked in command of his regiment for the Cape of Good Hope, and at the close of the year sailed with the regiment for the East Indies. On 26 January 1797 he was appointed colonel by brevet, and in 1800 to the command of an expedition against Batavia, with the rank of brigadier-general, but which was subsequently countermanded. In 1801 he was appointed second-in-command to the army that sailed from India for Egypt. In 1803 he returned to England, and on 25 September that year was appointed major-general. On 25 July 1810 he was promoted lieutenant-general. He was colonel of the 41st Regiment of Foot from 25 February 1810, until he was removed to the colonelcy of the 17th Regiment of Foot on 14 June 1819. He was promoted full general on 19 July 1821, and honoured with the dignity of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order in 1832. He died on 31 January 1840, aged 86.