λ Victorian 1831 pattern general officer's sword

λ Victorian 1831 pattern general officer's sword, attributable to Lieutenant-General John Wimburn Laurie (1835-1912), curved etched blade 30 in., Hamburger Rogers & Co., regulation gilt brass hilt with ivory grip scales, sword knot, brass scabbard retaining traces of gilding.

John Wimburn Laurie: commissioned Ensign in the 4th (The King's Own) Regiment of Foot 2nd September 1853; served in the Crimean campaign from 8th November 1854 until the evacuation of the Crimea (Lieutenant 8th December 1854); present at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, including the repulse of the two sorties on the advanced trenches in front of the ovens on the 22nd and 23rd November (mentioned in despatches), attacks on the Barrak Battery on the 18th June and on the Redan on the 8th September 1855;he was wounded in December 1854, and again in March 1855. Served in India during the mutiny. Major General 13th September 1882. Served during the Rebellion in the North West Territories of Canada in 1885 as Second in Command from the 1st April until the close of the rebellion. Lieutenant General 31st December 1887. Father of Halliburton Laurie and George Brenton Laurie, each of whom fell while distinguishing themselves in battle, in the Boer War and at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle respectively.

Provenance: by family descent. Source: Harts Army List, various volumes (mainly quoted verbatim)