Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Battle of Maharajpoor C.B. group of three awarded to General Charles Hamilton, Indian Army, who commanded the 2nd Regiment of Grenadiers, Bengal Native Infantry, throughout the Gwalior campaign of 1843-44, and during the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46; the Grenadiers captured two regimental standards at Maharajpoor

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1843, maker’s mark ‘WN’ for William Neale, complete with wide swivel-ring gold suspension, integral gold ribbon buckle and gold top suspension brooch, a near perfect piece of insignia; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Lieutenant Colonel C. Hamilton, C.B. of the 2nd Regt. of Native Infantry, Grenadiers) with original brass hook suspension, detachable silver rectangular suspension for wearing purposes, and silver top suspension brooch; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 1 clasp, Ferozeshuhur (Lieut. Col. C: Hamilton C:B: 2nd Regt. N:I: Grenrs.) with silver top suspension brooch, nearly extremely fine (3) £6000-8000

C.B. London Gazette 2 May 1844, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Hamilton, Bengal Infantry.

Charles Hamilton was born at sea, on board H.M.S. Melpomene, on 30 July 1801, son of Sir Charles Hamilton, 2nd Bart., of Iping House, near Midhurst, Sussex, Admiral of the Red, whose younger brother, later Admiral Sir Edward Hamilton, ‘achieved an exploit unsurpassed, if ever paralleled, in the mightiest efforts of British valour’ - namely the boarding and capture of the Hermione frigate by three boats and 50 men of the Surprise.

Charles was baptised at Antigua on 1 October 1801. Educated at Addiscombe, February 1816 to December 1817, he was appointed Ensign on 27 January 1818; Lieutenant, 1 August 1818; Captain, 2 October 1826; Major, 26 November 1836; Lieutenant-Colonel, 19 January 1843; Colonel, 14 July 1853; Major-General, 28 November 1854; Lieutenant-General, 30 January 1868; General, 16 May 1872.

Hamilton was posted as Lieutenant to the 2/2nd Bangal N.I., and transferred to 22nd N.I. (late 2/2nd) in May 1824; Adjutant 5th (Gough’s) Local Horse, June 1823 to March 1829; Acting Brigade Major to troops in Oudh, 4 August 1829; Superintendent of family money, and Paymaster of pensions in Oudh and Cawnpore, September 1834 to January 1837. He was posted as Lieutenant-Colonel to the 2nd N.I,. (Grenadiers) on 21 April 1843, and commanded this regiment throughout the Gwalior campaign of 1843-44, during which the Grenadiers distinguished themselves at the battle of Maharajpoor, 29 December 1843, where they captured two of the enemy’s Regimental Standards in the attack on Chonda (C.B.; Mentioned in General Sir Hugh Gough’s Despatch, Headquarters, Camp, before Gwalior, 4 January 1844. He commanded the regiment throughout the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46, and was present at the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshuhur; and also served with the expedition to Kote Kangara in March 1846. General Charles Hamilton, C.B., died at Sussex Gardens, London, on 27 October 1889.