Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Major H. F. S. Bolton, Military Knight of Windsor, late 18th Foot, 72nd Highlanders and West India Regiment

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (Capt. H. F. S. Bolton, 72nd Foot. 1873-4); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Capt. H. E. S. Bolton, 1/18th Regt.) note incorrect second initial; Jubilee 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, with original wearing bar but ribbons very distressed and last three medals detached, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine, the first probably unique to regiment (5) £1,200-£1,500

Henry Francis Somerset Bolton was appointed Ensign in the 1st West India Regiment on 23 January 1863, becoming Lieutenant on 27 December 1866. He transferred as Captain to the 72nd Highlanders on 1 April 1874, and transferred again to the 18th Royal Irish Regiment in 1879. He retired as Hon. Major, on pension of Captain 18th Foot, on 26 February 1881. He was appointed a Military Knight of Windsor, Royal Foundation, in 1896, and died in that appointment in 1921.

Major Bolton served during the operations on the West Coast of Africa, 1867, in the Mumford and Pram Pram Expeditions (Mentioned in despatches). He took part in the operations in British Honduras in 1870 and 1872. He accompanied Sir Garnet Wolseley to the Gold Coast in September 1873 on special service, and served throughout the Ashantee War of 1873-74. Was sent to various places on the Gold Coast to enlist native contingents, and raised the Winnebah, Mumford, and Barracoe Companies of Russell’s Regiment. Also commanded Regimental Transport and was attached to the 2nd Battalion 23rd Fusiliers during the second phase of the war (Mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 7 March 1874, promoted to an Unattached Company, Medal with Clasp). He served in the Afghan War in 1880 and was present during operations in the Khyber Pass (Medal).