Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An ‘Arctic Medal’ group of three miniature dress medals possibly worn by Sir Richard V. Hamilton, Royal Navy

Baltic 1854-55; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Fatshan 1857; Arctic Medal 1818-55, mounted as worn, brooch bar with gold pin, and housed in a fitted Garrard, London, case, last with contact marks, nearly very fine and better (3) £300-£400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2014.

Sold with copied research which indicates that only four men, all naval officers, received this combination of medals (two of whom died in 1860, before the China Medal was authorised). Of the four, this group is possibly attributed to Admiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton, K.C.B., Royal Navy.

Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton was born at Sandwich, Kent, and attended the Naval School at Camberwell. He entered the Navy in 1843, in the Vigaro (Mediterranean), and continued to serve at that station until he passed for a Mate. He served as Mate in the Assistance under Ommanney, 1850-51. During the expedition he led one of the auxiliary sledge parties in 1851, and during the journey he searched Lowther and Young Islands, being away from the ship for 28 days travelling over 198 miles with Osborn. Advanced Lieutenant in the Resolute under Kellet, 1852-54, in the autumn of 1852 he travelled over 168 miles and was away from the ship 16 days; during 1853 he travelled over 675 miles by sledge and was away from the ship for 54 days; and in the winter of 1853-54 he installed an electric telegraph between the Resolute and Intrepid.

In 1855 Hamilton was appointed First Lieutenant of the Desperate in the Baltic; and in 1856 he commanded the gun-boat Haughty in China at the battle of Fatshan. Promoted to Commander in 1856 and Captain in 1862, he commanded the Steam Reserve at Devonport during 1873-74, and was appointed Captain Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard in January 1874.