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Auction: 4020 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 153

The Historically Important Medals and Related Items to Lieutenant Colonel W. Caine, Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong, formerly 41st, 3rd, 14th and 17th Foot Army of India, short hyphen reverse type, two clasps, Nepaul, Bhurtpoor (Bde Major W. Caine, 14th Foot.), edge bruising, very fine; China 1857-60, two clasps, China 1842, reverse inscribed 'Capt W. Caine 26th Reg.', Canton 1857 (Lt Col. W. Caine. Lt Govenor of Hong Kong.), last medal privately re-engraved in large serif capitals, to accommodate the later rank of the recipient, very fine, both with silver riband buckles; miniature China 1842 medal, with straight bar swivel suspension, and a miniature China 1857-60 medal, two clasps, with floriate swivel suspension, edge engraved 'William Caine, Capt 26th Regt.', this also with silver riband buckle, together with: -- A Madras Artillery Officer's Sword, by Ridpath and Manning, 124 New Bond St, London, embossed with Battle Honours 'Nepaul 1815, Decan 1817, Bhurtpoor 1826, and China 1840' and 'Coll the Honble Willm Caine to W.H. Caine', with metal scabbard, some corrosion, but generally good condition -- A Watercolour, 55cm. x 38cm., of Keying, the uncle of the Emperor of China, seated at an audience with other Chinese dignitaries and British Military and Naval personnel, each figure realistically portrayed, and identified in English and, where appropriate, Chinese, below, Major Caine standing second from left, an most attractive watercolour and a fascinating original document -- A Silver Presentation Plaque, 24.5cm. x 31cm., inscribed on one side in Chinese, on the other 'A Tribute of Praise to the Good Administration of Lieutenant Governor Caine. We look for Your Excellency as for the coming of The New Year. And although you are far from us, We forget not to obey. Respectfully Presented by the Chinese Trading Population of Hongkong. December 1859.', the plaque mounted on a decorated silvered stand Estimate £ 4,000-6,000 Lieutenant Colonel William Caine (1799-1871) born in Maynooth, Ireland; joined the 17th Regiment 1813 and Ensign the next year; served in the Nepaul Campaign 1815, and was present at the action at Jeetghur; served in the Deccan war 1817-18 including the actions at Jhubbulpore where he carried the regimental Colour of the 17th in the attack on the Heights; Lieutenant 17th Foot 1819; Captain 41st Foot 1827; Major of Brigade at the assault and capture of Bhurtpore, and was wounded by grape shot whilst charging the enemy's guns on the day of the capture; Commanded the Grenadiers of the 26th Regiment at the capture of Chusan 4.7.1840, and was British Commissioner and Military Magistrate of that island until its evacuation in February 1841; Major 1841; Lieutenant Colonel 1851; Attached to General Straubenzee at the capture of Canton, December 1857, and escaladed with Captain Kean's Company, 59th Regiment. Colonial Secretary and Auditor General of Hong Kong 1854; Lieutenant Govenor of Hong Kong 1854 until his retirement in 1859; during his time in office, Lieutenant Colonel Caine prepared the Island to resist Russian inasion in 1854, and raised a Corps of Volunteers and was unanimously elected Colonel; in November 1857 he put down an emeurte in which 20,000 Chinese were opposed to the Government; upon the abolition of the post of Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong he received the thanks of the British Government for his past valuable services, embracing a period of military and civil duties including 45 years continuous foreign service; Lieutenant Colonel Caine is buried in St Margaret's Churchyard, Lewisham, Kent. While Captain 41st Foot and A.D.C., Caine married Mary Anne Vallancy at Cawnpore, 18.1.1830. Their first son, George Whittingham was born in 1832. He became Consul in the City and District of Swatow in the Province of Kwang-Tong, 21.12.1858 and First Assistant, H.M. Superintendency in China and Acting Secretary to the Superintendent of Trade, Victoria, Hong Kong; He was British Consul at Hankow 1869 until his death there in 1870.

Sold for
£6,800