Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Defence of Gibraltar 1779-83, General Picton’s Medal, silver, with later but still contemporary gilding, the edge with contemporary inscription ‘This Medal presented in 1784 to Major Arthur Browne, 58th Regt. for his services during this Memorable Siege and by him when Lt. Govr. of Kinsale to his eldest Son Thomas Browne Lt. Col. 69th Regt. and a Colonel in the Army’, this inscription and the gilding dating from 1810-12, some rubbing to the edge, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare £1500-2000

Major Arthur Browne was stationed with the 58th Regiment at Gibraltar throughout the siege of 1779-83. His son Thomas was commissioned into the 59th Regiment in September 1787. After much service in the Mediterranean and in the West Indies, he returned from the latter place with despatches in 1801 and was rewarded with the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. In May 1805 he was removed to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 69th Regiment and, in July 1810, he attained the brevet rank of Colonel in the Army. After commanding the 2nd Battalion of the 69th for nearly seven years, he was ordered to assume command of the 1st Battalion, in the East Indies in December 1811. On his arrival at Madras, however, he was appointed to the command of the Auxiliary Forces at Goa and subsequently as Commandant of the fortress of Seringapatam. In February 1815, he was appointed to the Staff of the Madras Presidency at Fort St George, with the rank of Major-General.