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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 181

The rare and outstanding 'Abyssinia Expedition' gold C.B. group of four awarded to Hon. Lieutenant-General Conyers 'Jack' Tower, 3rd Dragoon Guards, late 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, who was Colonel of the former Regiment from 1891 until his death in 1903

A prominent cavalry officer, he cut his teeth in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, and was 'captured' there in a charming watercolour portrait by a fellow officer, a rare example of field artwork that is included with his awards

Subsequently transferring to the 3rd Dragoon Guards, he led the unit with dash and distinction in Abyssinia in 1868, leading his men on a challenging journey of 400 miles, through precipitous passes 'where a false step would be destruction' and where the 'danger of treacherous attacks from wild border tribes' ran high; he took a brace of 'mentions' to go with his C.B. for his troubles

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) breast Badge, gold and enamel, swivel-ring suspension, with riband buckle, hallmarks for London and by Robert Garrard; Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Balaklava, Sebastopol (Captn. Conyers Tower 6th Dragns.), naming officially engraved by Hunt & Roskell; Abyssinia 1867-68 (Lieutt. Coll. C. Tower, 3rd Dragn. Grds.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Officer's type, by T. B. Bailey of Cheltenham (Captn. Conyers Tower. Inniskilling Dragoons), engraved naming, very fine (4)

Approximately 16 appointments to the C.B. for the Abyssinia Expedition.

C.B. London Gazette 14 August 1868.

Conyers Tower was born at Hutton Hall, Yorkshire on 29 October 1826, the second son of Henry Tower and a grandson of Christopher Tower of Huntsmoor Park, Buckinghamshire. Educated at Rugby School, where Thomas Arnold was then Headmaster, young Conyers obtained a Cornetcy by purchase in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons in December 1844, aged 17. As it transpired - and at significant cost - his subsequent promotions up to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel were likewise obtained by purchase.

Embarked for the Crimea as a Captain, he is credited by various sources as having been present at the charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, in addition to the operations before Sebastopol. With his first stint of active service under his belt, Tower exchanged into the 3rd Dragoon Guards and accompanied them to India, where he obtained his Majority in May 1861 and Lieutenant-Colonelcy in August 1863.

Abyssinia - C.B.

Subsequently embarked for Abyssinia in early 1868, Tower and the 3rd Dragoon Guards trekked for some 400 miles over mountainous terrain before seeing action on the Islamgie Saddle at Selassie, services which resulted in him being mentioned in Major-General C. Staveley's despatch, dated 16 June 1868.

Afterwards, following the investment and capture of Magdala, he received a second 'mention' from Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, in his despatch dated 1 June 1868:

'Seldom or never, have cavalry had such a variety of duties, in maintaining communications for so many miles, climbing over mountains and through forest ranges, often benighted, where a false step would be destruction, and danger of treacherous attacks from the wild border tribes, who are honoured amongst themselves for slaying without reason and without scruples.

The wear and tear of the horses in such duties have been very considerable. The men, however, have returned to their more regular duties with a discipline and efficiency unimpaired.'

And that, added Napier, was largely thanks to Tower:

'The wing of the 3rd Dragoon Guards was long detained in India and arrived late in the campaign. Notwithstanding the distance and the severity of the country through which they marched, Colonel Tower by judicious management brought both men and horses in the most efficient condition in time to share in the investment of Magdala.'

He was appointed a Colonel in August 1868 and awarded the C.B.

Back home, Tower acted as Commandant of the Cavalry Depot at Canterbury and was finally placed on the Retired List as an Honorary Lieutenant-General in March 1883. However, he served as a Colonel of the 3rd Dragoon Guards from June 1891 until his death at Rugby, Warwickshire in March 1903.

As stated above, his awards are sold with an original, charming portrait from the Crimea executed by a Captain Soame Gambier Jenyns of the 13th Light Dragoons. Painted on paper in ink and watercolour, measuring 157mm. by 216mm., it depicts Tower standing in left profile wearing a 'Heavies' forage cap, full dress trousers and a pea-jacket, the latter as favoured in the harsh winter conditions of 1854-55. One-time folded, but now glued to backing paper, the reverse bears two old inscriptions of provenance; the picture was the subject of an extended feature in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research in 2011. Also sold together with a fine carte de visite of the good General just before his retirement, wearing his full uniform and awards, by J. Bateman, Canterbury.



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Estimate
£3,000 to £5,000

Starting price
£2400