Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Victorian C.B. group of three to General G. H. T. Colwell, Royal Marine Light Infantry, second in command of the Marines at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb-Tamaai (Major G. H. T. Colwell, R.M.) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star 1884, the second with pitting from star, otherwise nearly very fine (3) £1200-1400

George Harrie Thorn Colwell was born on 29 September 1841, and joined the Royal Marines as a Second Lieutenant on 11 August 1858; First Lieutenant, 20 April 1860; Captain, 14 November 1872; Major, 1 July 1881. He served in Egypt during the last part of the campaign of 1882, and was present at the surrender of Fort Ghemil. He commanded the force of Royal Marines occupying Port Said, after the cessation of hostilities, from October 1882 to March 1883. Colwell was subsequently detached in temporary command of a Battalion, composed of Royal Marines of the Mediterranean, East India, and China Fleets, for service in the Soudan in 1884, serving as Second in Command, and was present at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai, the relief of Tokar, and the march to Tamanieb. He was mentioned in despatches for his services at the battle of Tamaai, especially for bringing ‘two of our Companies through the temporary retirement of the Square’. He received the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel for his services in Egypt, dated 21 May 1884, and also received the Egypt medal with clasp and the Bronze Star.

Colwell was appointed a Compainion of the Bath on 21 JUne 1887, on the occasion of the celebration of the completion of the fiftieth year of Her Majesty’s reign. He was promoted to Colonel on 21 May 1888; Colonel Second Commandant, 20 November 1889; Colonel Commandant, 23 March 1895; Major-General, 10 May 1897; received medal for Queen’s Jubilee, 1897; Lieutenant-General, 19 October 1900; General, 30 January 1902. General Colwell retired on 29 September 1906, and died at Southsea on 12 June 1913.