The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

The magnificent group awarded to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Hotham, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., Royal Navy

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, G.C.B. (Military) sash badge in 18 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1887, and breast star in silver with appliqué centre in gold and enamels, small enamel chips to green wreath on the badge, and to blue scroll and one green stalk of wreath on the star; The Royal Victorian Order, G.C.V.O., sash badge and breast star in silver, gilt and enamels, both pieces officially numbered ‘458’ on the reverse; Jubilee 1887, clasp 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated ‘1860 to 1861’ (Chas. Hotham, Midn. & Lieut. Naval Brigade 1860.61.63.64.) officially engraved naming; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (Capt. C. F. Hotham, C.B. R.N. H.M.S. “Alexandra”); Khedive’s Star 1882, unless otherwise described, generally very fine or better (10)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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See colour plate II.

Charles Hotham was born on 20 March 1843. A descendant of Baron Hotham (cr. 1621), he entered the service as a Naval Cadet aboard H.M.S. FORTE on 14 February 1856 and then served aboard JAMES WATT and CORDELIA (1857-60), receiving promotion to Midshipman in February 1858. He joined PELORUS (27 December 1860 to December 1862) and whilst in this vessel he took part in the early actions of the 2nd Maori War in 1860-61. He was promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 20 March 1862 and to Lieutenant on 17 February 1863 whilst at EXCELLENT. His next appointment was to CURACOA on 20 April 1863 in home waters; however this vessel was subsequently transferred to the Australian Station and was quickly engaged in action during the latter part of the Second Maori War.

He saw action during a frontal assault, on 20 November 1863, on the Maori Redoubt at Rangariri by ninety seamen, armed with revolvers and cutlasses, from H.M. Ships ECLIPSE, CURACOA and MIRANDA, under Commander R. C. Mayne, but they were twice repulsed. During another immediate assault led by Commander Phillimore, and Lieutenant Downes, First Lieutenant of MIRANDA, on 20 November 1863, Charles Hotham suffered a severe gun-shot flesh wound in the lower half of his right leg, the Surgeon reporting ten days later that he was doing well. Hotham’s conduct was favourably noticed by Commodore Wiseman on 30 November 1863 and reported to the Admiralty (London Gazette 13 February 1864).

Some time previously he had been ‘Sent in charge of a detached party of seamen to escort a Military Officer across mud flats in the rear of the enemy’s position for which services he was specially mentioned.’ He was also Mentioned in Despatches on a number of occasions, see London Gazettes of 13 February 1864, 19 February 1864, and 15 July 1864. The Admiralty authorised his promotion to Commander as soon as possible commensurate with his completion of the correct amount of sea time, by London Gazette 15 July 1864. He received this promotion to date from 19 April 1865, and after being paid off from CURACOA in July 1865 he was placed on half pay for two years.

His next appointment was the Command of JASEUR (1867-71) where he received promotion to Captain on 29 December 1871. He subsequently Commanded CHARYBDIS (1877-80), and was Flag Captain of ALEXANDRA (November 1881 to February 1883), in which vessel he was engaged in the attacks on the forts at Alexandria, and publicly thanked for his services four days later on 15 July 1882. He was appointed Chief of Staff of the Naval Brigade and, by London Gazette dated 19 July 1882, was awarded the C.B., and Osmanieh 3rd Class.

He Commanded RUBY (April 1885 to March 1886) and during 1887 he was the Assistant to the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Review. He was promoted to Rear Admiral on 6 January 1888 and appointed as a Lord of the Admiralty (January 1888 to December 1889), followed by being appointed Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station (1890-93) flying his Flag aboard WARSPITE, with promotion to Vice Admiral on 1 September 1893. He was awarded the K.C.B. on 24 May 1895. From December 1897 until July 1899 Sir Charles was Commander in Chief at the Nore and in October 1900 he was appointed Commander in Chief at Portsmouth where he served until Lord Fisher succeeded him in August 1903. While there he had the duty of directing the Naval ceremonial at the Funeral of Queen Victoria on 2 February 1901 in acknowledgement of which he was, on 8 March, nominated a G.C.V.O. He was raised to the dignity of G.C.B., at the Coronation of King Edward, and was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in August 1903 at the exceptionally early age of 60, and was placed on the retired list in 1913 on attaining 70 years of age. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Hotham died on 22 March 1925.

He is the only man known to have been eligible for two differently dated New Zealand Campaign Medals, serving aboard PELORUS as a Midshipman for the 1860-61 campaign and aboard CURACOA as a Lieutenant R.N. for the 1863-64 campaign. Men who fought in two separately dated actions were not entitled to a clasp (or a second differently dated medal) for their additional participation. When such an instance occurred, as happened in this unique case, it was marked solely by extra details engraved on the edge of his medal.