Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chief Armourer Arthur Hammond, Royal Navy, one of 27 men from Téméraire to serve with the Naval Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Tel-El-Kebir (A. Hammond. Armrs. Crew: H.M.S. Téméraire); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (A. Hammond, Armr: H.M.S. Castor.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed, light pitting from star, otherwise very fine and rare (3) £600-£800

Only 27 clasps for Tel-el-Kebir to H.M.S. Temeraire, both clasps confirmed on accompanying original parchment Certificates of Service, and just 161 of this clasp pairing to the Royal Navy.

Arthur Hammond was born in Portsmouth on 10 February 1856, and joined the Royal Navy for 10 years ‘Continuous Service’ on 8 October 1880, aged 24 years 8 months, a smith by trade and rated as Armourer’s Crew at H.M.S. Excellent, the gunnery establishment. He was appointed to Téméraire on 15 December 1880, was in hospital at Malta, 11 January to 3 February 1882, and rejoined Téméraire from Hibernia on 11 March 1882. He was present at the bombardment of Alexandria on 11 July, and was one of 27 men from this ship present with the Naval Brigade at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir on 13 September 1882. He was paid off to Excellent once again on 14 April 1884. Advanced to Armourer in November 1885, he served aboard Constance from 16 November 1885 to 25 September 1889, when, after a brief return to Excellent, he joined Castor on 30 November 1889. He remained aboard Castor until February 1892, during which period he received his L.S. & G.C. medal with gratuity. He was appointed Acting Chief Armourer in October 1893, and Chief Armourer in February 1895. He was finally shore pensioned on 11 October 1900. Sold with a small family group photograph and two original parchment Certificates of Service which confirm ‘Present at Bombardment of Alexandria 11 July 1882’, and under the heading “Medals, Clasps, &c.”, ‘Egypt - Alex clasp & Star & Tel-el-Kebir clasp.’