For Hannibal, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath...

[eschena]

For Hannibal, here are some pics of my insignia of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.

While the date of institution is sometimes debated, it is generally considered that the "official" date of institution is 1725 by George II in one class only - Knights of the Bath (KB). The insignia comprised of a large gold oval badge of three crowns, a scepter and a rose and thisle, with the motto TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO ("Three joined into one"). After the Napoleonic Wars ended and the need to reward the many officers who participated, in 1815, the Prince Regent (acting on behalf of George III, of course ) split the Order into three classes, Knights Grand Cross (GCB), Knights Commander (KCB) and Companions (CB). The original oval badge was reserved for civil GCBs, while a new Maltese cross was employed for the military division and the addition of the Prince of Wales' motto, ICH DIEN ("I serve"). In 1847, another modification came about with the addition of civil KCBs and CBs. The last major change came in 1917, when the CB insignia changed from a breast badge to the currently worn neck badge, slightly smaller than the KCB neck badge.

First up is a civil KCB neck badge. The silver gilt badge is marked SG for Robert Garrard and is datemarked for 1919-1920:

[eschena]

...here's the reverse. Note the hook attachments on the ribbon:

[eschena]

Here's the obverse of the civil KCB star:

[eschena]

Here's the reverse. Unfortunately, the star is not hallmarked...

[eschena]

This is a late Victorian civil CB badge marked with a crowned RG for Robert Garrard and date marked for 1898-1899. It's silver gilt, as most CB badges are in the late Victorian period. This still has the three pronged ribbon buckle:

[eschena]

Here's the reverse, pretty much the same as the obverse, but here I show the "trick" most CBs have: there's a knurled nut that allows the badge to be removed from its suspension. All but the WW I period pieces have this feature (it was deemed too expensive to continue with it):

[ccj]

Here is mine. Military

This one is cased. I am told of the late Victorian era and I must admit that I traded it for some Imperial German orders and regret it mightily. I wish I could undo my stupidity!!!! moremad

[eschena]

Here's one of my favorite photos. This is Sir Garnet Wolseley taken sometime in the 1860s or 1870s. It shows him wearing the insignia of a military KCB, his French Legion d'Honneur chevalier class and Turkish Order of the Medjidjie, both presumably awarded for service in the Crimea. He is also wearing (from l to r) the Army of India medal (I think), Crimea Medal, Turkish Crimea medal, Indian Mutiny medal, Second China War medal, and an India General Service medal (I think). Lots of goodies on his tunic

A final note: the present Order of the Bath is limited in the total number that may hold it at any given time. Currently, the statutes are:

Military GCB 50
Military KCB 102
Military CB 525

Civil GCB 25
Civil KCB 50
Civil CB 200

Hope y'all enjoy these photos




Eric Schena

[Hannibal]

Dear Erich

Thank you very much for showing scans of the Order of the Bath and it's history. They are just marvelous. I especially like the design of the breast star. You said the "Order of the Bath is limited in the total number that may hold it at any given time" are the British royals and foreigners included in the total? Cheers

Best regards

Hannibal

PS I must update my profile in the collecting interests section.

[Tony Farrell]

Eric, Wolsley's first & last medals are the India General Service 1854, with the clasp Pegu, and the Ashantee 1874, with the clasp Coomassie. Identifying ribbon colours from b&w pictures is difficult at the best of times.

[eschena]

Hi Tony:

Thanks for ID'ing Wolseley's first and last medals - the middle ones are easy, but those two were the tricky ones

Hannibal: Those numbers do not include so called "honorary" awardees - and that includes the Royals and foreign recipients.

Best regards,
Eric Schena