Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s Chapel Stall Plate, gilded brass with engraved and painted badge of a companion, inscribed ‘Michael Childers Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 11th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath Nominated 26th December 1826, 190x115mm, with original outer paper wrapper, extremely fine £350-450

Michael Childers served in the 11th Light Dragoons for most of his military career. He joined the regiment in August 1799, and served with them in the Helder later that year. He served with distinction in the Peninsula, both with his regiment and, later as a Major on Wellington’s Staff. He was present on 28 September 1811, at the cavalry action at El Boden, where ‘...confident of their superior numbers (ten to one) the French renewed their attacks for nearly an hour, making nearly twenty charges... Captain Michael Childers and Captain Ridout were the squadron leaders of the “Eleventh” Squadrons, and both greatly distinguished themselves... Captain Childers especially...’

Childers served at the battles of Salamanca and Vittoria (Medal and two clasps), and was Brigade Major to Sir John Vandeleur at Waterloo, where he had his horse shot from under him (Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, and Waterloo Medal). He continued to serve in command of his regiment and commanded a Brigade at the siege of Bhurtpoor during the campaign in Burma (Companion of the Bath, Medal with clasp). He relinquished command of the regiment in 1836, and died on 9 January 1854.