The outstanding and unique ‘Atbara’ casualty D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant, later Major, G. Hilton, Scots Guards, attached Egyptian Army, later Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was wounded at the Battle of the Atbara, 8 May 1898, was commissioned during service in South Africa, was present during operations against the Mullah in Somaliland, and was twice wounded on the Western Front

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Sergt. G. Hilton. Sco: Gds. 8th. April 1898); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (9539 Sgt. G. Hilton. 12/ Bn: Sud: R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg (Lieut: G. Hilton, D of C. L.I.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 2 clasps, Jubaland, Somaliland 1901 (2/Lieut. G. Hilton. D of C. L.I.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. G. Hilton. D.C.M. K.O. Sco. Bord.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major G. Hilton); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 2 clasps, The Atbara, Khartoum, unnamed as issued, minor contact marks, generally good very fine (8) £6000-8000

D.C.M. London Gazette 15 November 1898.

George Hilton was born in November 1872 and attested for the Scots Guards in April 1892. He served during the Sudanese Campaign whilst attached to the Sudanese Regiment, Egyptian Army, and was present at the Battle of the Atbara, 8 April 1898, where he was wounded, Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 22 May 1898), and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; and at the Battle of Khartoum, 2 September 1898. Returning to his parent Regiment, he served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, and was present at the Advance on Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont, 23 November 1899; Enslin; Modder River, 28 November 1899; and Magersfontein. He was also present during the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Poplar Grove; Driefontein, 10 March 1900; Vet River; and Zand River. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 23 May 1900, he was present with his new Regiment in the Transvaal, including the actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Remaining on the African continent, Hilton served in Somaliland from 17 January to 11 October 1901, and took part in operations against the Ogaden Somalis in Jubaland under the command of Colonel Ternan from January to April 1901; he also served during the operations against the Mullah Muhammed-bin-Abdullah in Somaliland under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne from May to July 1901. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1904, he was appointed Adjutant of the Volunteer Battalion (later Territorial Force) on 9 June 1906, continuing in this post for the next three years.

Hilton transferred as a Captain to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 17 April 1909, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 December 1914. Twice wounded, he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915) and was awarded the Brevet of Major on 3 June 1915, before moving to the Staff as a General Staff Officer on 25 September 1915. Mentioned in Despatches in the 1916 New Year’s Honours’ List (London Gazette 1 January 1916), he served as Brigade Major from 18 May 1916, before returning to the U.K. as a Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at the War Office on 13 June 1917, moving over to the Air Board (later Air Ministry) on 4 February 1918. he retired on 7 September 1921.

Note: Only two D.C.M.s were awarded to the Scots Guards for the Sudanese Campaign; one for the Atbara (Hilton’s), and one for Khartoum.

For the recipient’s related miniature dress medals, see lot 1149.