Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 311

The mounted C.B. group of six dress miniatures awarded to Colonel C. P. Cramer, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who had a horse shot from beneath him at Tel-el-Kebir, earning a 'mention' for his courage and the C.B. for the Miranzai expedition in which he was again 'mentioned' and severely wounded

Order of the Bath, Military Division, gold and enamel, straight bar suspension, with gold buckle on ribbon; South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879; Egypt, dated, 1 clasp, Tel-el-Kebir; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Samana 1891; Turkey, Order of Osmanieh, 4th Class, silver and enamel, rosette on ribbon, slight enamel damage; Khedive's Star 1882, mounted as worn, in Baldwins, London case, overall good very fine (6)

Provenance:
DMW April 2003, Ex Derek Robinson collection.
Sotheby's, October 1983.

C.B. London Gazette, 24 November 1891.

Order of the Osmanieh, London Gazette, 4th Class, 17 November 1882.

Charles Pierson Cramer was born at St. Petersburgh, Russia on 25 November 1837, the son of Charles and Margaret Cramer. Commissioned Ensign in the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 24 August 1858 he was advanced Lieutenant on 21 April 1863 and Captain on 28 May 1870.

Posted to the 3rd Battalion Cramer was with the Regiment during the Zulu War where they saw action at Ginginhlovo and the relief of Etshowe. The Regiment was composed of largely young and untested soldiers at this time and a good deal of effort on behalf of officers such as Cramer to keep them steady. It is telling that one of the officer's killed in the fighting was the commander of the Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Northey.

After the war he was further promoted Major on 1 July 1881 and Lieutenant-Colonel on 18 November 1882. In this role he was appointed Brigade-Major of Ashburnham's 4th Brigade, taking part in the affair at Kassassin. Present for the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir the 4th Brigade went forward in support of the Highland Brigade, during the action Cramer had a horse shot from under him. For his bravery he was 'mentioned' (London Gazette 2 November 1882, refers) and awarded the Order of the Osmanieh.

Promoted Colonel in 1886 he commanded the 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps on the Hazara expedition and the Miranzai Expedition in 1891. Cramer was severely wounded in the action at Sangar, A Soldier who Did His Duty by Sergeant-Major Rowat expands on what followed, stating:

'As we reached the top of a hill, the enemy fired a volley from a fort about 200 yards off, hitting the Colonel of my Regiment, the Colour-Sergeant of my Company, and four of our men; one of them was hit by a large bullet made of led and telegraph wire, about two inches long, in the shoulder. As they were attending his wound the Rifleman laughed, and told them to mind and not tear his only shirt.'

An article entitled Samana 1891 by Brigadier Parritt, further develops the story stating:

'The advance began on 17th April and the first action came when No. 1 Column met resistance at the village of Tsalai. The guns of No. 3 Mountain Battery were brought into action and an attack was mounted by the 1st K.R.R.C. The village was taken by a bayonet charge, but Colonel C. P. Cramer and Major C. C. Egerton were severely wounded.'

Created a C.B. for his role in the campaign, he was further 'mentioned' (London Gazette 15 September 1891, refers). He was fortunate enough to miss the wreck of the Warren Hastings as a result of his injuries and was placed on Half Pay in 1891 and on Retired Pay in 1893. Cramer settled on the Isle of Wight where he died on 11 April 1898; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240