Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A historically interesting Crimea campaign group of four awarded to Major-General C. Tyrwhitt [C.B.], Scots Fusilier Guards, A.D.C., Equerry and Private Secretary to H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge

Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Lt. Col: Tyrwhitt [sic], Scots Fus. Gds.) contemporary engraved naming, edge bruise; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, 5th Class breast badge, silver, gold appliqué and enamel, minor white enamel restoration to tips of arms of cross; Ottoman Empire, Order of Medjidieh, 5th class breast badge, silver, gold appliqué and enamel, unmarked reverse; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, pierced for ring suspension as issued, with a silver riband buckle engraved ‘Col. C. Tyrwhitt’, generally very fine unless otherwise stated (4) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Julian Johnson Collection.

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Charles Tyrwhitt was commissioned Ensign, Scots Fusiliers Guards, in August 1834. He advanced to Captain in November 1839, and to Lieutenant Colonel in July 1854. Tyrwhitt was appointed to the Staff of H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge prior to the Crimean War. He is mentioned a number of times in George, Duke of Cambridge; a Memoir of his private life based on the journals and correspondence of His Royal Highness, edited by Edgar Sheppard, C.V.O. In his capacity as A.D.C. to the Duke, and latterly as his Private Secretary and Equerry, it would appear that he was constantly on hand for a number of notable moments in history. The Duke records his departure from England to command a Division in the Crimea:

‘10 April [1854] After a sad day spent in taking leave from so many dear friends, in short a day such as I should be sorry to spend again, and after a small dinner with Adolphus Fitzclarence, left London by the train at 8.30 and reached Dover at 11.30, accompanied by Lords Raglan and De Ros, Jim [MacDonald], Tyrwhitt, Somerset.’

Having served at the battles of Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and before Sebastopol, Tyrwhitt was present with the Duke on 3 March 1855:

‘Went with the Queen and Albert at 9.30 by railroad to Chatham, to see the sick and wounded men returned from the Crimea. She went in State, and accompanied by Lord Hardinge. The number seen was about 500. They were enthusiastically delighted and really looked wonderfully well. The effect produced by this visit was excellent. At 4 attended Meeting of the Central Association for Soldier’s Wives and Children. Took the Chair. The meeting, a large and influential one, and I most cordially received. Made, I think, a good speech. The Queen dined with me at 8. The party consisted of herself, Albert, Lady Canning, General Bouverie and Captain Du Plat, Mama, Kielmansegge, Clarendon, Granville, Hardinge, Tyrwhitt. It went off very well, was a very good dinner, and the Queen was much pleased.’

He continued in a similar vein ‘April 9. At 6.15 went to the City to dine with the Lord Mayor. Tyrwhitt and Clifton accompanied me. My reception both in the streets going along and in the Hall was excellent and all passed off well.’ And acted in a more official capacity for the visit of the French royal family a few days later:

‘April 16. Started by train for Windsor with Tyrwhitt to be ready to receive the Emperor and Empress of the French... I was at the foot of the staircase with the Queen, Royal Children, Leiningen and the whole court in uniform.’

Tyrwhitt was presented with his Crimea medal by Queen Victoria at Horse Guards, 18 May 1855. The Duke of Cambridge commanded the parade, and was the first to receive his medal from the Queen. Tyrwhitt did not have to wait long, as he was the 9th man to be presented with his medal (erroneously listed in Harts as a 3 clasp award, the Duke was entitled to a four clasp medal, and Tyrwhitt’s medal appears entirely as issued). He also later received the Legion of Honour and the Order of the Medjidieh for his service in the Crimea, whilst being gazetted for the C.B. 24 May 1873.

Tyrwhitt was at the Duke’s side for the funeral of the Duchess of Gloucester (the Duke’s aunt), and went with the Duke when he accompanied Queen Victoria for her visit to the Emperor and Empress of France:

‘4 August 1858. At 11.30 attended the Queen on board the Victoria and Albert and sailed at 12 for Cherbourg. The Queen and Prince are accompanied by the Prince of Wales, Lady Desart, and Miss Bulteel, Mahnesbury, Packington, De la Warr, Phipps, Hood, Du Plat and self, with Tyrwhitt and Col. Chapman of the Engineers. Five miles off Cherbourg the fleet under Lord Lyons were waiting for us, and the whole steamed in together under a thundering salute from the French fleet and batteries ashore. It was a noble sight.’

In 1863 he attended on the Duke for the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and two years later he accompanied the Duke to Belgium for the funeral of King Leopold I. Tyrwhitt’s residence was 41 Curzon Street, Mayfair before his appointment as Deputy Ranger of Hyde Park, when it was listed as Rangers Lodge Hyde Park. He retired as Major General in 1881, and died in March 1886.