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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 417

(x) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, Chapel Stall Plate, gilded brass with engraved and painted image of a C.B. Badge, inscribed 'Edward Lowther Crofton Esquire, Post Captain in the Royal Navy, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815.', reverse with maker's stamp for Hughes, 8 Peterboh. Co.., Fleet Str., London, 191mm x 114mm, corners pierced for attachment, very fine

This stall plate was produced between 1826 and 1838, during which time Hughes copper and steel plate makers was headquartered at Peterborough Court, Fleet Street.

Edward Lowther Crofton was born on 24 November 1783, likely in County Roscommon, Ireland, the son of John Frederick Lowther Crofton and the grandson of Anglo-Irish politician Sir Marcus Lowther Crofton, 1st Baronet. Crofton embarked on a career in the Royal Navy, with whom he was commissioned Lieutenant in March 1804, Commander in February 1805 and was promoted Post Captain on 4 March 1811.

Crofton was active during the War of 1812 and served as Post Captain in the Naval Brigade of Rear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn during the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814. Following the British burning of the enemy capital at Washington D.C., they returned to their ships and travelled up river towards Baltimore, Maryland and proceeded to bombard the harbour's Fort McHenry in an attempt to take the city. The fort was well-defended and stood up to the 25-hour bombardment after which the British fleet departed. The conflict notably inspired the American national anthem.

Crofton's conduct during the engagement was praised by the Rear-Admiral in his public letter, in which he stated: '...the brigade of seamen with small arms, commanded by Captain Edward Crofton, assisted by Captains Sulivan, Money, and Ramsay, who commanded divisions under him, behaved with a gallantry and steadiness which would have done honour to the ablest troops, and which attracted the admiration of the army.'

A year after the battle, Crofton was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in June 1815. The following year he married Mary Leader on 23 April 1816 and the couple went on to have issue of at least one son and one daughter, who was born at Putney Hill in Surrey on 10 September 1818. Their son, also named Edward Lowther Crofton, was a Captain in the 77th Regiment of Foot who died of cholera in the Crimea on 27 September 1854 during the march from Alma to Balaclava.

Crofton died just a few years after his award of the C.B. in September 1818; sold together with copied research.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£600