Badge and star: Legion of Honour, 2nd class
Awarded to Admiral Sir Frederick Tower Hamilton (1856-1917). Badge: A gold star of five rays with double points enamelled white with a small gold ball on each point, with a wreath of laurel and oak between the rays. Obverse: In the centre a gilt effigy of the female head symbolic of the Republic, surrounded by a blue enamelled riband with gold letters 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE 1870'. Reverse: Two tricolour flags in saltire with the motto 'HONNEUR ET PATRIE' . Suspended by a green enamel wreath from a neck ribbon of scarlet moire. Star: A uniface silver star of ten points like the badge with rays between each limb. In the centre, a silver effigy of the female head representing the Republic, surrounded by a silver riband bearing the legend 'REPUBLIC FRANCAISE 1870'. Attached with brooch pin.
He received the Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honour after the state visit of the President of France in June 1912. Hamilton was in command of the fleet which saluted President Poincaré on his departure from Dover.
Sir Frederick was the son of Captain Henry George Hamilton RN. He entered the Navy as a cadet in 1869. He served in the 'Bristol' in the West Indies, 1870 to 1871, and then in the 'Ariadne' in the Mediterranean, 1872. From 1877 to 1878 he served in the 'Martin' training brig on a cruise to the West Indies. In 1878 he joined the 'Liffey' which sailed to Coquimbo where the crew took over the 'Shah'. On the return voyage Hamilton thus found himself as part of the Naval Brigade in the Zulu War of 1879, for which service he was mentioned in despatches. He was also made a lieutenant in this year. He then served in the Mediterranean in the 'Thunderer' until 1881. In 1892 he was made a commander and appointed to the 'Hood' 1893 to 1896, in the Mediterranean. He was promoted to captain in 1898. In 1905 he became commodore in command of the Gunnery School at Portsmouth. In 1907 he was made rear-admiral and in 1909 commanded the fifth squadron Atlantic Fleet and two years later, the third and fourth divisions of the Home Fleet. In 1912 he became vice-admiral. After the outbreak of war, from 1914 he was Second Sea Lord and was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth in 1916, dying of heart failure there the following year.
Frederick Hamilton married Maria Walpole daughter of Admiral of the Fleet the Honourable Sir Henry Keppel in 1889 and they had four children.
He received the Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honour after the state visit of the President of France in June 1912. Hamilton was in command of the fleet which saluted President Poincaré on his departure from Dover.
Sir Frederick was the son of Captain Henry George Hamilton RN. He entered the Navy as a cadet in 1869. He served in the 'Bristol' in the West Indies, 1870 to 1871, and then in the 'Ariadne' in the Mediterranean, 1872. From 1877 to 1878 he served in the 'Martin' training brig on a cruise to the West Indies. In 1878 he joined the 'Liffey' which sailed to Coquimbo where the crew took over the 'Shah'. On the return voyage Hamilton thus found himself as part of the Naval Brigade in the Zulu War of 1879, for which service he was mentioned in despatches. He was also made a lieutenant in this year. He then served in the Mediterranean in the 'Thunderer' until 1881. In 1892 he was made a commander and appointed to the 'Hood' 1893 to 1896, in the Mediterranean. He was promoted to captain in 1898. In 1905 he became commodore in command of the Gunnery School at Portsmouth. In 1907 he was made rear-admiral and in 1909 commanded the fifth squadron Atlantic Fleet and two years later, the third and fourth divisions of the Home Fleet. In 1912 he became vice-admiral. After the outbreak of war, from 1914 he was Second Sea Lord and was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth in 1916, dying of heart failure there the following year.
Frederick Hamilton married Maria Walpole daughter of Admiral of the Fleet the Honourable Sir Henry Keppel in 1889 and they had four children.
Object Details
| ID: | MED2275 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Coins and medals |
| Type: | Order |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Date made: | circa 1919 |
| People: | Hamilton, Frederick Tower |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
| Measurements: | badge: 40 mm; star: 92 mm |
| Parts: | Badge and star: Legion of Honour, 2nd class |