TOPIC:

Private William Mulholland's group of four sold at Morton and Eden for a hammer price of GBP 3,800. Totals: GBP 4,712. R 108,840. AUD 8,700. NZD 9,370. CAD 7,690. USD 5,800. EUR 5,330.

Picture courtesy of Spink

CB b/b s/g;
Jubilee 1897, silver, unnamed as issued;
SAGS (1) 1879 (Major G. S. Schwabe. 16th Lancers.)

CB London Gazette 26 June 1902.

George Salis-Schwabe was born in July 1843 into a notable family: his father, Salis Schwabe (originally known as Salomon ben Elias) was a successful North-German Jewish cotton printer and his mother, Julie, was a noted educationalist, philanthopist and founder of schools both within Britain and in Europe; they counted many famous members of society amongst their friends including Frederic Chopin and Charles Dickens. As may be expected, young Salis-Schwabe received a full and thorough education himself, principally at University College School and London University, before being commissioned Cornet in the 16th Lancers on 23 September 1863.

His military career saw him rise fairly rapidly through the ranks of two principal cavalry regiments: from the 16th he transferred to the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) and by 17 March 1877 was Major in that regiment. In the intervening years he had also been appointed to a number of Staff posts - from 1872-73 he was Brigade-Major (Acting) Cavalry at Aldershot; Brigade-Major Cavalry for the Curragh District from 1873-75; and found himself back at Aldershot from 1875-77 as Brigade-Major Cavalry.

As a Staff Officer with significant experience of this work, in addition to regimental duties earlier in his career, Salis-Schwabe was selected for 'Special Service' during the Anglo-Zulu War; he embarked for Natal with cavalry drafts and later served during the campaign as Commanding Officer of the Native Carrier Corps (some 2,000-strong) which he organised in addition to commanding. Upon returning home Salis-Schwabe appears to have resumed regimental duties and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in command of the 16th Lancers in July 1881.

At the 1885 General Election he was elected M.P. for Middleton in Lancashire - very much the 'family seat' and it is likely his parents' genuine interest in the wellbeing of those who worked for them factored into their son's life too. His political tenure was to be short-lived, however, as when the Liberals split over Home Rule he joined the Liberal Unionists and did not seek re-election in 1886. Throughout this time he had remained in the Army; he received his Diamond Jubilee Medal as Officer Commanding, Mauritius, and was promoted to Major-General in 1898 - that year also taking up the post of Lieutenant-Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the famous 'Chelsea Pensioners'.

Holding this position for seven years, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1902 Coronation Honours (receiving his CB personally from HM King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 24 October 1902) and died at the Bavarian spa town of Bad Kissingen on 13 July 1907, at the relatively young age of 63 - at which time he was also Colonel of the 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Relief of Kimberley (4237 Pte. W. M. Smith. 16th. Lancers)

W. M. Smith was wounded at Macfarlane’s Siding on 16 February 1900 and was invalided to England soon thereafter.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Driefontein clasp a tailor’s copy, affixed by unofficial rivets (3227 Cpl. E. Westcott. 16th. Lancers);
KSA (2) (3227 Serjt: E. Westcott. 16th. Lancers.);
1914 Star (3070 Pte. E. J. Westcott 17/Lrs.);
British War and Victory Medals (L-3070 Pte. E. J. Westcott. 17-Lrs.);
Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C. E. Westcott. K. Divn.);
Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. E. Westcott. Y. Divn.);
Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (Insp. E. Westcott.)

Eugene John Westcott was born in Peckham, London, on 28 February 1871 and attested for the 16th Lancers on 30 May 1890. Promoted Corporal on 2 April 1895, he transferred to the Army Reserve on 30 May 1897, and joined the Metropolitan Police on 14 June 1897. Posted initially to K (Bow) Division, he transferred to Y (Highgate) Division on 5 August 1898. Following the outbreak of the Boer War he was recalled to the Colours on 20 December 1899, and served in South Africa from 12 February 1900 to 23 August 1902. Discharged on 28 July 1903, after 13 years and 60 days’ service, he returned to the Metropolitan Police, and was promoted Police Sergeant on 19 September 1903 upon transferring to T (Hammersmith) Division, later being advanced Inspector.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Westcott served with the 17th Lancers on the Western Front from 8 November 1914, and was discharged to the Reserve on 5 February 1919. Returning once more to the Police, his final appointment was as Chief Inspector of the mounted branch at Scotland Yard. A familiar figure at Epsom races, it was Westcott as the senior officer of the mounted police that used to accompany the owners when they led in the Derby winner. He retired to pension on 11 November 1923, and died in 1930.