*Italy, Al Valore Militare, in silver, for the Crimean War 1855-56, reverse engraved ‘Coll. Thos. Hurdle CB Rl. Ms.’, lightly toned, good extremely fine with lustrous surfaces. Major-General Sir Thomas Hurdle, K.C.B., Colonel Commandant Royal Marines, was present at the Battle of Navarino in 1827 as Second Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Albion (entitled to N.G.S.M. with clasp Navarino). He also served in Greece during the revolutionary war of 1828 and received the Order of the Redeemer for his service. He also took part in the attack upon Punta Obligado on 20 November 1845, where he commanded a landing party of Royal Marines which stormed and silenced an opposing Argentine battery (for which he received the Brevet rank of Major). In the Crimean War he commanded the Brigade of Royal Marines in several major battles and served as Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. For this service he received a 2-clasp medal, was appointed C.B., Officer of the French Legion d’Honneur, Turkish Crimea, 3rd Class Order of the Medijie, and the Sardinian Al Valore Militare (this latter medal received from the King of Sardinia himself). The citation for this final award reads as follows: ‘Colonel Thomas Hurdle, C.B. - Commanded the Marine Brigade during the whole period it was disembarked in the Crimea, including the repulse of the Russians before Balaklava, when the Batteries, served by the Marines, did good service. Favourably mentioned in despatches.’ He was appointed Colonel-Commandant in 1857, and was promoted to Major-General in 1859. He was made K.C.B. in June 1877 and died in 1888. His N.G.S.M. and other Crimean awards are known to be extant.
Estimate: £800-£1000