Raglan collection to be auctioned

Lord FitzRoy Somerset joined the Duke of Wellington’s staff in 1807 and as a prominent aide de camp served with him throughout the Peninsular War and at Waterloo his arm was severely wounded resulting in its amputation. After Waterloo he became the Duke’s secretary and ultimately his military secretary when the former became Commander-in-Chief in 1827. In 1852 he became 1st Baron Raglan and two years later he was promoted to General and appointed to command the British forces during the Crimean War. After victory at Inkerman in November 1854 he was promoted to Field Marshal, but died of dysentery shortly after the abortive assault on Sevastopol in June 1855.

On 10 January 2010 the 5th Baron of Raglan died without issue and his executors have decided that many of the items that the 1st Baron collected over the years should be put up for auction at Christies on 4 April.

Of particular interest are FitzRoy Somerset’s Peninsular War awards and medals estimated to fetch between £250,000 - £350,000 and amongst which are his Peninsular Gold Medal (with clasps for Badajoz and Salamanca), the Peninsular Gold Cross (with five clasps) and his Field-Marshal’s baton. As FitzRoy Somerset married Wellington’s ‘favourite’ niece, it is no surprise that the auction contains a ring that was supposedly taken from the Tippu Sultan’s body after the assault of Seringapatam (estimate up to £15,000). There are also two Russian bronze cannon taken from Sevastopol in 1855. As their estimate is up to £40,000. might this indicate that the Ministry of Defence is looking to back up its stock of Victoria Cross bronze?

Although Christies have yet to update their website with the details of the sale, the collection can be viewed at their Kensington showrooms from April 1 – 3.