Lot Essay
Captain Montgomerie Hamilton was born in Scotland circa 1781 and began his career in the service of the East India Company as a midshipman in the Bombay Castle in 1797-8. Remaining in her through several promotions, he was eventually given her command but left her for the Dunira in 1817 where he remained until retiring from the sea in 1833.
General Sir James Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H. joined the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons in July 1793, within months of the outbreak of War with Revolutionary France, and was made Lieutenant in February 1794. Successively promoted Captain in 1798, Major in 1801 and Lieut.-Colonel in 1808, he fought in the Peninsular War from April 1809 and was present at the Battle of Talavera in July 1809. He served throughout the winter campaign of 1810 and subsequently commanded the regiment at various actions including the Battle of Salamanca. Made Colonel in June 1814, he was promoted Major-General in 1825 and finally Lieut.-General in 1838. For many years the Colonel of the 4th Light Dragoons, he also published a treatise for the instruction of young cavalry officers which he dedicated to the ['Grand Old'] Duke of York.
General Sir James Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H. joined the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons in July 1793, within months of the outbreak of War with Revolutionary France, and was made Lieutenant in February 1794. Successively promoted Captain in 1798, Major in 1801 and Lieut.-Colonel in 1808, he fought in the Peninsular War from April 1809 and was present at the Battle of Talavera in July 1809. He served throughout the winter campaign of 1810 and subsequently commanded the regiment at various actions including the Battle of Salamanca. Made Colonel in June 1814, he was promoted Major-General in 1825 and finally Lieut.-General in 1838. For many years the Colonel of the 4th Light Dragoons, he also published a treatise for the instruction of young cavalry officers which he dedicated to the ['Grand Old'] Duke of York.