Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine presentation sword for Captain Charles Whiteway Hazlehurst, Earl of Chester’s Rifles, the slightly curved 89 cm blade retailed by Hobson & Sons, Little Windmill Street, London, finely etched with crowned VR cypher, light infantry strung bugle, the Regimental device and legend of Chester Rifles, family crest and motto ‘Omne bonum desuper’ of the Hazlehurst family and within a scrolling entwined ribbon the presentation inscription ‘Presented to Captn. C.W.Hazlehurst. J.P. by the officer’s & men of F.& G. Companies of the 2nd. C.R.V. (Earl of Chester’s Rifles) on the occasion of his marriage, June 26th. 1883’, hilt mounts of copper-gilt the solid half-basket guard pierced through with sprays of acanthus on a frosted gilt ground, back-strap and pommel with oak and acanthus sprays and a plumed classical helmet, fish-skin covered grip bound with gilt wire, complete with its plated steel scabbard, the hanging ring bands and chape again decorated with sprays of oak leaves and acorns, blade retaining all original polish, minor marks to plating of scabbard otherwise in fine condition overall £800-1000

Charles Whiteway Hazlehurst, born 1859, the son of Charles Hazlehurst of Runcorn, Cheshire. entered the 2nd. Cheshire Rifle Volunteers in August 1881 as a Captain, was Major 2nd. Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment September 1887 and retired in 1898.

He was a JP for Cheshire, residing at Ivy Bank, Aigburth Hall Road, Liverpool and latterly at Broxwood Court, Pembridge, Herefordshire.

He married Eleanor Jane Astbury, eldest daughter of A. Keen of Beechfield, Edgbaston in 1883 when the sword was presented to him.

He died at Belgrave Mansions, Grosvenor Gardens, London on April 12th 1912, beside Broxwood Court he owned extensive properties in Halton in Cheshire the value of his estate being in excess of £100.000.