Guelphic Order, Knight Grand Cross Collar Chain, hallmarks 1834 by A.J. Strachan, Attributed to Major-General Sir William Keir Grant, K.C.B. G.C.H. 6th Dragoon Guards, late 15th Light Dragoons & Colonel of the Royal Scots Greys

Guelphic Order, Knight Grand Cross Collar Chain, hallmarks 1834 by A.J. Strachan, in silver-gilt 

24 alternating segments of Guelphic crowns, lions passant and Royal ‘GR’ cyphers, with central Guelphic crown and loop suspension for carrying the collar badge, all links bearing maker’s mark ‘AJS’ (Alexander Strachan), and many also bearing the hallmarks of William IV for London and dated 1834.

Attributed to

Major-General Sir William Keir Grant, K.C.B. G.C.H. 6th Dragoon Guards, late 15th Light Dragoons & Colonel of the Royal Scots Greys

Commanded a major British military expedition to the ‘Pirate Coast’ on the south-eastern Persian Gulf. Having roundly defeated the enemy and pacified the pirate stronghold of Ras al-Khaimah, Keir Grant succeeded in securing an agreement with a number of important tribal leaders, leading to an historic Peace Treaty of 1820 which heralded local truces and the foundation of the Trucial Sheikhdoms as well as the abolition of the Slave Trade in the area. (Collar and insignia of the Order of the Lion and Sun of Persia).

Additionally one of just eight Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons to receive the gold Ehrenmedaille für Englische Kavalleriste, expressly awarded by the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, for gallantry in saving him personally from capture by French forces at the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies (which is variously spelled in historical records), near Cambrai, in 1794.