Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The K.H. and Waterloo pair awarded to Colonel Edward Wildman, 7th Hussars, who served with the 4th Dragoons in the Peninsula where he received two severe sabre wounds in the head and arm at Albuhera, and was taken prisoner but escaped; he was slightly wounded and had three horses killed under him at Waterloo

The Royal Guelphic Order, K.H. (Military) Knight’s, breast badge, gold and enamels, 46mm x 33mm, of continental manufacture, lacking green enamel to both wreaths and with further damage to both centres; Waterloo 1815 (Capt. Edw. Wildman, 7th Regiment Hussars.) fitted with original steel clip and contemporary silver bar suspension, light contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £5,000-£7,000

Provenance: Richard Kirch, August 1991, since when the K.H. had been added for display purposes (Spink, April 1993).

Edward Wildman was born in London on 23 March 1790, son of Thomas Wildman, of Bacton Hall, Suffolk, and the younger brother of Colonel Thomas Wildman, 7th Hussars, who served as A.D.C. to the Earl of Uxbridge at Waterloo. Edward Wildman was aged 16 years 2 months on his first entrance into the army as an Ensign in the 13th Foot on 2 May 1806, becoming Lieutenant on 6 May 1807. He transferred in the same rank to the 4th Dragoons on 29 October 1807, and served in the Peninsula from April 1809 to August 1811, and from September 1812 to April 1814. He was present at the battles of Talavera, Busaco, Redinha, Albuhera, retreat from Salamanca to Portugal 1812, Vittoria, battle of Pyrenees in front of Pampalona, Tarbes and Toulouse. At Albuhera he received two severe sabre wounds in the head and arm, was made prisoner, escaped and was sent home for recovery.

Promoted to Captain in the 60th Foot in December 1814, he transferred to the 7th Hussars on 23 February 1815, and served with the regiment at Waterloo, where he was slightly wounded and had three horses killed under him. He was promoted to Major in September 1818, to Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1823, and commanded the 6th Dragoon Guards from then until 1839, when he was placed on the half-pay of the Chasseurs Brittanique. He was appointed a Knight of Hannover in 1836, and became Colonel in the Army on 28 June 1838. He married in 1818, Antonia, daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir Hildebrand Oakes, G.C.B. and had issue. Colonel Edward Wildman died in December 1846.