A glazed display of Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Baker's ful...

Estimate

£6,000 - £8,000

A glazed display of Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Baker's full dress accoutrements 10th Prince of Wales's Hussars, comprising: fur busby with scarlet pocket, egret feather plume with black vulture feather at base, gilt brass ring chinscales, cord cap lines with aigulettes attached; full dress shabraque edged with double row of gilt lace, crowned "VR" in the forward quarters and crown over P.O.W. plumes with regimental number "10" and "H" below. Gilt fringed leopard skin roll, bullion embroidered full dress sabretache (named inside) bearing honours up to the Crimea; gilt lace waistbelt, snake fastener with sabretache and sword slings; black leather pouch, the flap overlaid with gilt metal crown "VR" and P.O.W. plumes, edged with gilt leaves; leather shoulder belt overlaid with gilt chain links, bearing P.O.W. badge, silver arrow prickers and chains. A pair of gilt spurs, 2 1853 pattern swords, both sharpened for action (the hilt grip of right hand sword well worn from use). Provision on the left and right hand sides for percussion revolvers. The whole mounted on cloth covered board and housed in a glass case; a very similar display can be viewed in the National Army Museum being Edward VII 's own accoutrements. Note: Valentine Baker Pasha (late 10th (Prince of Wales's) Hussars. Lieutenant Colonel Baker as being his rank at the time, was subject to one of the most outrageous scandals to rock British Society in the late 19th Century. He travelled from Liphook by train and when he entered the carriage it was occupied by a young lady. In conversation they became friendly and when the train left Woking she stated that Baker became amorous towards her. She resisted and he kissed her several times caressing her body. In her defence she stepped outside the carriage hanging on to the foot boards. When the train stopped at Esher the Colonel was then arrested. Bearing in mind there were no witnesses, did this really happen? He was taken to court and his friend The Prince of Wales arranged for his defence lawyers. Baker refused his counsel to cross examine the lady, Miss Dickenson, to save her from any embarrassment. Baker's counsel stated that the Colonel "As a British officer and a gentleman, offers no defence only his "Unqualified regret, as he feared that Miss Dickenson acted under the influence of exaggerated fear and alarm". He was acquitted of the charge "Attempt to Ravish" but was found guilty of assault and sentenced to one year in Horsemonger Lane jail. By Queen Victoria's command he was cashiered from his Regiment although the Prince of Wales tried hard to prevent this. Valentine Baker was an outstanding officer who one day would have risen to the highest rank in the British Army. He had fought in the Kaffir War and was awarded the medal and clasp for his part in the Battle of the Beria. During the Crimea War he fought at Tchernaya and the Siege of Sebastopol. A Russian commander Shavaloff, who faced Baker's Division in the Crimea, stated after his trial "Poor Baker was the finest Light Cavalry officer I ever saw. Had he belonged to me do you think I would have lost him to the service he adored because of a wretched private folly?. A Turkish Artillery officer said "Allah has smitten the English with such blindness that they allow a man like him to leave their Army". Another quote by Sir Robert Wingate "On the 27th August 1875 a foolish old judge and twelve good tradesmen and true had condemmed Lt Colonel and Brevet Colonel Valentine Baker of a crime which was not a crime and his country had no further use of his services". Colonel Baker, on his release from prison, found himself in the position of a professional soldier with no future. He was offered the appointment of Head of the Turkish Gendarmerie at Constantinople with the rank of Major General. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Sir Garnet Wolseley made great efforts to Queen Victoria to reinstate him but with no success. During the Egyptian War of 1882-1884 once Arabi was defeated the Khedive had to re-establish his army. It was recommended by Lord Dufferin that it should be re-organised under the command of a British General, Sir Garnet Wolseley recommended Lt General Valentine Baker Pasha for the post. Baker remained committed to his Queen and Country whenever the opportunity arose. He unofficially fought with the British Army in the Soudan and was a friend of Colonel Fred Burnaby who joined him there (sadly to be killed in a square). Baker at last received acknowledgement, he was make Chief Intelligence officer to the British Army, confirmed by Buckingham Palace. Later, in 1887, Queen Victoria proposed to make Baker a General in the British Army "after consulting some important people in whose judgement I can rely, I now propose that his re-instatement in the army might take place by-and-by, but not on account of my Jubilee". Sadly Valentine Baker was to die in Egypt soon after returning there in 1887 after seeing the Festivities in London for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and not knowing at the time he was to be forgiven by his Queen and reinstated as a General of the British Army. Fortunately, for those interested, a very fine biography has been published titled "A Question of Honour, the life of Lt General Valentine Baker Pasha" by Anne Baker, published by Leo Cooper Pen and Sword books Ltd 1996 (ISBN 085052 4962). The lot is housed in a purpose made display case of some weight. Buyer collects. £6,000-8,000