The important and unique K. G. B. group awarded to Colonel Sir Henry Hozier, Assistant Military Secretary to Lord Napier of Magdala, 'Times' War Correspondent, Secretary to Lloyd's of London and father of Lady Clementine Churchill

THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, K. C. B. (Civil), neck badge in silver-gilt, hallmarked London 1902, breast star in silver, gilt and enamel; CORONATION 1902, silver; CHINA 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Lieut., 4th Bde. Rl. Arty.), correction to surname; ABYSSINIA 1867 (Lieut., 2nd Life Gds. Asst. Mily. Secy.); VOLUNTEER DECORATION, V. R., the reverse hallmarked London, 1894, complete with top bar; Prussia, IRON CROSS 1870, with 25 year oak leaf cluster; Prussia, CROSS FOR THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST DENMARK 1866; Prussia, MEDAL FOR THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR 1870-71, 5 clasps, Metz, Loigny-Poupry, Le Mans, Orleans, Paris; Prussia, WILHELM I CENTENARY MEDAL 1797-1897, the last eight mounted on a contemporary wearing bar, together with a contemporary group of eight miniature medals, similarly mounted, the group contained in a gilt glass fronted display case, some contact marks and edge knocks to the earlier medals, otherwise generally very fine (18)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

View
Collection

Colonel Sir Henry Montague Hozier, K. C. B., the son of a landed Scottish lawyer, was born in Lanarkshire in 1842. He was educated at Rugby and Edinburgh Academy, and was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He saw active service with the RA in China in 1860 and was present at the actions near Tang Chow including the capture of the Taku Forts. On his return home he transferred into the 2nd Life Guards and, in 1861, entered the Staff College, passing out two years later with high honours. Having previously travelled extensively on the Continent he took part in the Campaign of 1864 between Germany and Denmark, and subsequently received an appointment to the topographical staff of the War Office. He then served as War Correspondent for the Times during the conflict between Prussia and Austria. On the restoration of peace he acted as secretary to the commission on forming a reserve for the Army, and afterwards as Assistant Military Secretary to Lord Napier of Magdala, Commander-in-Chief of the expedition sent to Abyssinia. On his return to this country he was promoted Captain in the 3rd Dragoon Guards. In 1870, he became controller of Aldershot with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, but on the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, he was appointed Assistant Military Attache at the headquarters of the German Army, and later received the Iron Cross from the German Emperor. He used his first-hand knowledge to compile his well known book 'The Franco-Prussian War: Its Causes, Incidents and Consequences, ' which he wrote in addition to several other tomes including 'The British Expedition to Abyssinia' and 'Invasions of England. ' In 1874 he left the Army and became Secretary to Lloyd's of London, where his principal responsibilities were the organisation of Lloyd's agents and sign stations around the globe, which may explain his early interest in promoting the use of radio-telegraphy. Both an oganiser of high ability and a talented diplomatist, Hozier flourished in the society of businessmen. Noted as a 'gay and flamboyant' figure in the City of London, he was also highly regarded as an assiduous and effective lobbyist in Parliament. During his thirty-two years at Lloyds he never knowingly missed an opportunity to promote that institution in social and political circles. However, he also harboured political ambitions of his own and, in 1885, before the dissention in the Liberal camp, he contested Woolwich as a moderate Liberal but was defeated. For his many varied services he was created a K. C. B. in 1903. The name of Sir Henry Hozier, his brilliant military career and distinguished service to Lloyd's aside, is destined to be best remembered for its association with one of the twentieth century's most dynamic figures, Sir Winston Churchill K. G. In 1878, Hozier had married Lady Blanche Ogilvy, daughter of the 5th Earl of Airlie, and in due course they had a daughter, Clementine. However the Hozier's marriage was not a success and they became estranged. So much so that Sir Henry did not even list his marriage in Who's Who. Separation followed, with Sir Henry finding solace perhaps in the mysterious male world of Masonry, in which he held high office. Lady Blanche was compelled to bring her children up in somewhat reduced circumstances, being condemned to spend a good deal of time in Seaford, Sussex. Nevertheless, in the fullness of time, the engagement between Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill and Clemenrine Hozier was announced in the Times on Saturday 15 August 1908. Sir Henry Hozier drew his last breath in Panama, where the British Consul announced his death from phaemia in early 1907. For related family medals see lots 219 and 375.