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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 211

The Great War ‘East Africa’ M.C. group of six awarded to Major D. H. McCalmont, 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars, who served in France in 1914 as A.D.C. to General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, and then in German South-West Africa on the Staff of General Smuts, where he would earn his Military Cross and be thrice despatches; he latterly became a famous equine man

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, clasp (Capt. D. H. B. McCalmont. 7/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oakleaves (Major D. H. B. McCalmont); War Medal 1939-45; Delhi Durbar 1911, mounted court-style as worn, toned, good very fine (6)

M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915, 30 June 1916 & 6 August 1918.

Dermot Hugh Bingham McCalmont was born on 10 April 1887 and was the son of Major-General Sir Hugh McCalmont, late 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars. He was educated at Eton College and the R.M.C. Sandhurst and joined the 7th Hussars in 1907. McCalmont became Adjutant of the South Irish Horse in 1912 and from 1914-15 he was A.D.C. to General Sir Horace Smith-Dorien, with whom he served in France from 30 September 1914.

From 1915-18 he served in East Africa and was awarded the Military Cross in February 1917, retiring from the Army in 1919.

After leaving the Army, he retired to his lovely home, Mount Juliet, Ireland, where he bred and hunted one of the best packs of foxhounds in Ireland and established the now-famous Ballylinch Stud.

He was twice Senior Steward of the Turf Club of Ireland, and also Senior Steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Club, besides being a member of the Jockey Club, and the Irish Racing Board. His racing successes were numerous and he won the Grand Military Gold Cup on his own horse, Vinnegar Hill, in 1911, the only 7th Hussar to have done so. For half a century he raced on the flat in both England and Ireland. The best-known horse he owned was The Tetrach which he bought as a yearling in 1912: he won all his seven races as a two-year-old, six of them with ridiculous ease, but could not be trained as a three-year-old. His son, Tetuatema and grandson, Mr Jinks, both won the 2,000 Guineas, but neither was placed in the Derby for which they started favourites.

McCalmont rejoined the British Army in 1939 and served with the Training Regiment at Shorncliffe, Kent, and Welbeck. At the end of the Second World War he returned to Ireland and was straight back to his horses. In more recent years he won the Royal Hunt with Val of Sheba, and Zaluceus. He also owned Durante, who won 14 races between 1951-56 and was one of the gamest and most consistent horses of his time.

At Mount Juliet, any of the 7th Hussars, or anyone else for that matter, could be sure of a hospitable welcome and a day’s foxhunting or fishing on one of the finest waters in all-Ireland.

One of the events of which McCalmont was most proud was the fact that one of the more recently distinguished 7th Hussars and later Queen’s Own Hussar, “Paddy Cleere”, was reared and brought up at Mount Juliet.

"The Major" as he was known locally died on 25 February 1968, in Rhodesia.

Sold with a specially commissioned Garrard & Co. case made specifically for this group of medals.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,900

Starting price
£1600