Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Egypt (Jas. R. Arnold, K.H. & K.C., 1st Lieut. R. Engineers) the medal detached from its suspension and set within a silver frame in the style of a Field Officer’s gold medal, glass lunettes lacking, the rim engraved with identical naming details, fitted with silver ribbon buckle; together with the gilt-brass circular name plate from the lid of the presentation box that contained his Patriotic Fund sword, the plate inscribed ‘From the Patriotic Fund at Lloyds to Lieut. James Arnold of the Royal Engineers’, generally good very fine (2) £3000-3500

James Robertson Arnold was born in New York on 28 August 1781, the second son of the American and afterwards British General Benedict Arnold, who famously plotted the betrayal of West Point to the British in September 1780 but whose secret plans were discovered when Major Andre was captured with his despatches by the Americans. Andre was immediately hanged as a spy and Washington hastened with his army to West Point, arriving one hour after Benedict Arnold had wisely taken his leave and deserted to the British.

Young Arnold joined the Royal Engineers as a Second Lieutenant in March 1798, becoming First Lieutenant in June 1800, and Captain in 1805. His war services are thus described in Hart’s Army List for 1854:

‘Blockade and surrender of Malta, in 1800; the whole of the campaign in Egypt, in 1801, including the attack and surrender of Aboukir Fort and castle, battle of Alexandria, and afterwards accompanied the division of the army which expelled the French from Grand Cairo, and took possession of that city; also present at the surrender of Alexandria to the British troops.

‘Served several years in the West Indies, and at the last attack and surrender of the colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice, and Surinam, at which latter he was severely wounded in successfully leading the storming party against the Redoubt Frederici and Fort Leyden. Was several times handsomely mentioned in the public despatches for his conduct at Surinam; and was on that occasion presented by the Committee of the Patriotic Fund with a sword of the value of one hundred pounds. He has since served several years in Bermuda and North America. Had the honour of being appointed an Aide-de-Camp to King William IV, on his Majesty’s accession to the throne.’

According to family tradition, Arnold begged the privilege of leading the forlorn hope at Surinam, that he might redeem the family name from the odium which attached to it. That he acquitted himself in such a distinguished manner was worthy of his father in the days of Quebec and Saratoga. Arnold had been made a Knight of the Crescent, Second Class (K.C.), for his services in Egypt in 1801, and served as an A.D.C. to the sovereign from 1830 until 1841. He was made a Knight of Hanover (K.H.) in 1831, and became Colonel in the Royal Engineers in January 1837. He was further promoted to Major-General in November 1841, and his final promotion, to Lieutenant-General, took place in December 1851. Lieutenant-General Arnold died at Onslow Square, London, on 27 December 1854.