Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith

The unique group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Hippisley, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), one of two officers of the regiment to serve in the Zulu War, he subsequently commanded the detachment of the regiment at the battle of Abu Klea, and was decorated by the Czar of Russia upon his appointment as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys in 1894

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Lieut. & Adjt. W. H. Hippisley, 2nd Dgns.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (Capt. W. H. Hippisley, 2nd Dragns.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lt. Col. W. H. Hippisley, 2/Drgns.) lacking one rivet between first two clasps; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. Col. W. H. Hippisley, 2/Drgns.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6; Russia, Order of St Stanislas, 2nd Class neck badge by Albert Keibel, 48 x 47mm., gold and enamel, ‘56’ gold mark for St. Petersburg on eyelet, double-headed eagle and manufacturer’s marks on reverse, reverse of one eagle lacking central shield, the first five mounted as worn together with companion set of five mounted miniature medals, all contained in a contemporary red leather fitted carrying case, the first two with light contact marks and pitting from star, very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (11) £5000-6000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith.

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William Henry Hippisley was born in 1855 and was educated at Eton. He was gazetted Lieutenant in the Royal Berkshire Militia on 15 March 1873, but resigned in April 1875 to join the regular army in which he was gazetted Sub-Lieutenant on 22 May 1875, being subsequently posted to the 7th Hussars with the same seniority. He transferred to the 2nd Dragoons on 29 January 1876 as Lieutenant, was appointed Adjutant on 24 November 1877, promoted Captain on 1 June 1884, Major in 1893, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1900. He was appointed second in command on 5 July 1896, and was Commanding the Greys from September 1900 to June 1902.

During the Zulu War of 1879 he embarked for the Cape on 27 February 1879, with the reinforcements. He was attached as a volunteer to the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, taking part in the cavalry affair at Erzungayan, and subsequently did duty at Fort Newdigate with the squadron under Major Marter, of the King’s Dragoon Guards (Medal with clasp).

Hippisley accompanied the reinforcements sent to South Africa during 1881 and served as Staff Officer at Pine Town Camp. During the Nile Expedition of 1884-5, he commanded a detachment of the Royal Scots Greys attached to the Heavy Camel Corps, comprising two officers and 37 men, and took part in the operations of the Desert Column, including the actions of Abu Klea and Abu Kru, and the reconnaissance to Mettameh (Medal with two clasps and Khedive’s Star). He served in the South African war of 1899-1902, taking part in the relief of Kimberley and commanded the 2nd Dragoons in South Africa from March to December 1901 (Queen's Medal with three clasps and King's Medal with two clasps).

Major Hippisley, as he was then, was a member of the mission which waited upon the Czar of Russia when that sovereign was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of his regiment, and was decorated with the Order of St Stanislas; he was presented with a gold cigarette case by the Czar when that Monarch visited Great Britain on his wedding tour, and he commanded the Royal Escort of the Scots Greys sent from Hounslow to receive his Imperial Majesty when he landed at Leith on 22 September 1896. He was also presented with a signed photograph by the Czar.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Hippisley retired from the Army in 1902 and died on 28 June 1908.