Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, Chapel Stall Plate, ‘William Augustus Montague Esquire, Post Captain in the Royal Navy, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath. Nominated 8th Decr. 1815’, 190 x 113mm., brass, very fine £350-400

Sir William Augustus Montague entered the Royal Navy on 4 September 1796 as a 1st Class Volunteer aboard the Glatton 50. Later as a Midshipman aboard the Russell he took part in the battle of Camperdown, 11 October 1797. As a Midshipman on the Sirius he witnessed the surrender of the French frigate La Dédaigneuse on 27 January 1801. Four years service in the Eat Indies followed aboard the Dasher, after which he was confirmed as Lieutenant and then Commander by commissions dated 14 November 1804 and 31 October 1805. In June 1807 he was nominated Acting-Captain of the frigate Terpsichore 28 and was confirmed in his appointment in December that year. In March 1808 his ship fought off the large French frigate Sémillante 40, suffering 20 men killed and 22 wounded. Soon after he was appointed to the Cornwallis 50 and took part in the reduction of the island of Amboyna. He later effected the capture of the Dutch corvettes Mandarin and De Ruyter. In November 1810 he was in command of a Naval Brigade in the reduction of the Isle of France. His efforts, particularly on the occasion of the defeat of the French troops before St. Louis, were acknowledged by Major-General Abercromby. His later appointments included the Niobe 40, employed during September 1812 - June 1814 on the Channel, American and Lisbon stations. He was nominated for the C.B. on 8 December 1815, the K.H. on 5 October 1830 and the K.C.H. in January 1832. He attained the rank of Rear-Admiral on 23 November 1841.