Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Victorian C.B. group of four awarded to Brevet Colonel R. Chalmer, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who served as Brigade Major during the Second Afghan War, served with the Natal Field Force during the First Boer War in 1881, and commanded the 4th Battalion during the Manipore Expedition in 1891, being four times Mentioned in Despatches

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1896, with integral silver-gilt riband buckle; Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar (Captain Reginald Chalmer. 2/60th. Foot.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (Capt. R. Chalmer 2/60 Foot); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, N.E. Frontier 1891 (Lieut. Colonel R. Chalmer 4th. Bn. K.R. Rif. C.) mounted court-style for display, light pitting from star, polished, nearly very fine, the CB good very fine (4) £3,000-£4,000

C.B. London Gazette 21 May 1898: Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet Colonel Reginald Chalmer, half-pay.

Reginald Chalmer was born in Stirling, Scotland, on 12 July 1844 and was commissioned Ensign in the 60th Regiment of Foot on 17 March 1863, being promoted Lieutenant on 21 February 1865, and Captain on 2 April 1874. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 60th Rifles in the Second Afghan War from February 1879 to November 1880 during the occupation of Kandahar, and as Brigade Major to Brigadier-General Barter’s Brigade, and was present in the engagements at Ahmed Khel and Urzoo near Ghuznee (Mentioned in Despatches), and in the subsequent operations in the Logar Valley. He then accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts in the march to Kandahar as Brigade Major to Brigadier-General MacGregor’s Brigade, and was present at the Battle of Kandahar (Mentioned in Despatches, and Brevet of Major). He also served as Brigade Major to Brigadier-General MacGregor in the Mari Expedition (Mentioned in Despatches).

Promoted Major on 2 March 1881, Chalmer served in the First Boer War with the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, as part of the Natal Field Force in 1881. Advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 15 October 1890, he then served in the Manipore Expedition in 1891 in command of the 4th Battalion, K.R.R.C. (Mentioned in Despatches). Promoted Brevet Colonel on 15 October 1894, he transferred to the half-pay list and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1898. He died in London on 28 December 1911.