Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare ‘Burma campaign’ gold D.S.O. group of three awarded to Colonel C. E. Ilderton, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment, late 68th Light Infantry, with whom he fought at Gate Pah during the New Zealand wars

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., gold and enamel, with integral top ribbon bar; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1864 to 1866 (Lieut. C. P. Ilderton. 68th Lt. Infty.) note second initial; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 (Major C. E. Ilderton 2nd Bn. R.W. Surr. R.) the D.S.O. with very slight enamel damage to green wreaths, otherwise extremely fine, the campaign medals a little polished, nearly very fine (3) £4,000-£5,000

Charles Edward Ilderton was born at Ramby, Nottinghamshire, on 1 March 1841, eldest son of the Reverend Canon Ilderton, of Ilderton, Northumberland.  He was educated at Harrow, and entered the 68th Regiment on 5 September 1862. He served in the New Zealand War, 1864-66, being present at the attack on Gate Pah, and at other minor operations (Medal). He was promoted Lieutenant in May 1868, Captain in October 1871, and exchanged into the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment in 1872; Major, 1 July 1881. He served with Burma Expedition of 1886-88, including the operations under Sir William Lockhart in the Pynmana, Yemethen and Meiktila districts (mentioned in despatches; Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel; Medal with two Clasps; created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette 3 August 1888]: ‘For services during the recent operations in Burma. Charles Edward Ilderton, Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal West Surrey Regiment.’)

He became Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 September 1890, and was given the Brevet of Colonel on 29 September 1894. He was appointed to command the 2nd Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, on 28 September 1890. He was promoted to Colonel on 29 September 1894, retired on half-pay. Colonel Ilderton was Lord of the Manor of Ilderton, and a J.P. for the county of Northumberland. He died on 25 January 1905.