Orders, Decorations and Medals

The C.B., Scinde and Crimean campaign group of five awarded to Lieutenant-General F. G. T. Deshon, 22nd and 48th Foot, later Colonel of the 51st King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with swivel ring suspension and ribbon buckle; Hyderabad 1843 (Lieut. F. G. T. Deshon, 22nd Regt.) fitted with replacement wide silver suspension; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Captain F. G. T. Deshon 48th Regt.) contemporary engraved naming; Order of the Medjidie, 5th class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, contemporary tailor’s copy by ‘J.B.’, the last three fitted with silver ribbon brooch buckles, some contact pitting to first two campaign medals, nearly very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (5) £2500-3000

Sold with original Warrant for C.B., dated 24 June 1904, and related letters from the Central Chancery; letter from Horse Guards, dated 23 October 1878, advising of an allowance of £100 per annum from the ‘Grant for Distinguished and Meritorious service’; and an original Statement of Services (W.O. Form 360) dated 3 July 1857.

Frederick George Thomas Deshon was born at Chester on 10 November 1818, eleventh child and third surviving son of Major Peter Deshon, 85th Foot. Commissioned as an Ensign in the 56th Foot on 29 December 1837, he exchanged to the 22nd Foot, as Lieutenant, on 5 January 1841. He served with the 22nd Foot during the latter part of the campaign under Sir Charles Napier in Lower Scinde in 1843, being present at the battle of Hyderabad on 24 March 1843. He served in the Southern Mahratta Country in 1844 and 1845 under Major-General Delamotte, and was present at the investment and capture of Forts Panulla and Pounghur on 1 December 1844; and also present during the investment and reduction of Forts Munnahar and Munsuntook, in the Southern Concan in January 1845, as Staff Officer, Right Wing of the Regiment.

Promoted to Captain in the 22nd Foot on 30 November 1849, Deshon exchanged into the 48th Foot in April 1850. He served at the siege of Sebastopol as Captain from 21 April 1855 until the termination of the siege on 9 September 1855; and was present likewise, as Brevet Major, in the subsequent operations at Sebastopol, ending with the treaty of peace, and in command of 2 companies of the regiment detached to do duty in the Dock Yard from 14 January to 14 March 1856. Deshon was mentioned in General Orders, dated Headquarters, Sebastopol, 7 February 1856, whilst in command at the Dock Yard, Sebastopol.

Deshon became Lieutenant-Colonel in August 1864, Colonel in March 1870, Major-General in May 1880, and Lieutenant-General in July 1881. He was appointed Colonel of the 51st King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in January 1903, and created a Companion of the Order of the Bath in June 1904. Lieutenant-General Deshon died at Bathampton, Bath, on 3 April 1913, aged 95.