Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A group of three masonic awards to Admiral Sir David Milne, G.C.B., Royal Navy

Past Master’s Jewel, 70 x 45mm., silver; Grand Lodge of Scotland, Centenary Jewel 1836, 45 x 26mm., silver-gilt; Knights Templars Jewel, 70 x 49mm., silver and enamel body, silver-gilt crown studded with paste stones and with an ornate silver suspension loop, all unnamed, good very fine (3) £250-300

Sold with an attractive parchment document, 59 x 47cm. (approx.) from the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, certifying Rear-Admiral Sir David Milne, K.C.B. as having been ‘exalted to and instructed in, the mysteries of the Holy Royal Arch Degree of Free Masonry’, dated 24 March 1820.

Admiral Sir David Milne was born in May 1763 and died on 5 May 1845. Entering the Royal Navy in 1779, he had an eventful and illustrious naval career spanning the wars with France, 1793-1815 and America, 1812-15. Promoted Rear-Admiral in 1814, he was Lord Exmouth’s second-in-command at the bombardment of Algiers, 26 August 1816. Following on from this victory he was created a K.C.B. in September 1816, received a vote of thanks from both Houses of Parliament and was awarded the Dutch Order of William and the Two Sicilies Order of St. Januarius. From the London, he received the Freedom of the City and a presentation sword. From Lord Exmouth himself, he was presented with a gold snuff-box. He attained the rank of Vice-Admiral in May 1825 and was created a G.C.B. in July 1840 and became a full Admiral in 1841. Sir David Milne was a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Berwickshire and was a Member of Parliament for the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.