The key that will hopefully unlock some mysteries is, of course, the engravings on this spoon. When numbers are engraved on flatware it is usually indicative of one of two things, sometimes numbers are applied to identify particular pieces, a feature most often found on Scottish spoons and at other times, it is to identify a British army regiment, in this case, the 87th Regiment of Foot, otherwise known as 'The Prince of Wale's Own Irish Regiment' and would have been part of the silver of the Officers' Mess.
The 87th was formed in 1793 and consisted of two battalions, the 1st initially serving on the Continent, West Indies and South America and the 2nd fighting in the Peninsular War where it received great distinction as the first British regiment ever to sieze the French Colours, during the Battle of Barrosa.
The year 1808 saw the 1st Battalion leave South America for the Cape of Good Hope and then in 1810 on to Mauritius and in 1815 they set sail for Calcutta arriving in August and September of that year to serve along side the troops of the Honorable East India Company in their battle to control Northern India, they were to remain in India until their departure in February 1827.
The regiment was to return to India in 1849, and I originally thought this spoon was from the second period as most sources suggest these marks are from the mid 19th Century, however, after some more digging I am now convinced this spoon is from the first period.
In 1827 upon its return home the regiment was honoured for their exploits overseas by a change of name, they were now to be known as the 'Royal Irish Fusiliers'. This is confirmed in an extract from a letter to General Sir John Doyle, Bart. G.C.B., Colonel of the Eighty-Seventh etc. etc. from the Adjutant-General of the Forces, Sir Henry Torrens K.C.B.
Horse Guards,
17th November 1827.
Sir,
I have the honor to acquaint you, that the King has been pleased to approve of the Eighty-Seventh regiment assuming the title "Royal" and its being in future styled the Eighty-Seventh or Royal Irish Fusiliers, instead of the Prince of Wale's Own Irish Fusiliers.
I have etc.
H. Torrens,
Adjutant-General.
This change of name would have been of no surprise, as whilst the regiment was away the Prince of Wales had become King George IV, but the new name is vitally important to the dating of this spoon. The 'Royal' prefix was a great honour and would not have been omitted from the engraving if it dated from the post 1849 period. The Prince of Wale's Feathers were to remain as part of the regiment's colours, as can be seen below, but Royal protocol demands it has to be placed under the Crown of St Edward.
Conclusive proof, I believe, that this spoon dates from the twelve year period 1815-1827 and thus, that this mark struck by Hamilton & Co. was in use much earlier than originally thought.
That leaves just one question unanswered, the engraving of the 'hare' sejant. This device is likely to identify the bestower of the gift of silver to the mess. These devices are sometimes taken from the crest of a Coat of Arms, but often just a play on words, and may signify someone with a name such as 'Hare' 'Coney' 'Leveritt' 'Warren' etc.
Silver was presented to the mess by various persons, including new and departing officers, and also by grateful civilians who had been helped by the regiment, as can be seen from this account:
'On the night of the 6th September 1821, a very alarming fire broke out in the Honorable Company's Dispensary, situated in Calcutta, and surrounded by many valuable houses. As soon as intelligence reached the fort, two captains and ten subalterns, with about three hundred men, immediately marched to the spot, and, by the greatest exertions, prevented the fire from spreading to the neighbouring houses. The strictness with which the armed party protected the property of the inhabitants, called forth their admiration, which was followed by the annexed letter from the Governor-General, the Marquis of Hastings to Lieut. Colonel Miller of the Eighty-Seventh.
Council Chamber,
7th September 1821.
My Dear Sir,
It was a great satisfaction to me, though no surprise, to learn the zealous and meritorious conduct of the detachment of the Eighty-Seventh, employed in the endeavour to stop the fire last night. As some of the men have suffered in articles of dress, to repair that damage, as well as to reward the activity of the party, the Council has directed that five hundred rupees be paid to you, which you will please to distribute according to your opinion of claims.
I have, etc.
Hastings.
This mark of approbation from the Governor-General in Council, towards the party in general, was followed by one to the officers employed, each being presented with a piece of plate.
and
A very handsome piece of plate, which is now in the mess, was likewise presented to the officers by Doctor McWhirter, whose house ajoined the Dispensary, and which was saved by great exertion.
I made an enquiry with the Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum at Armagh to see if an officer could be found with a name that would fit in as the provider of this spoon, presumably one of a larger set. The curator of the museum found an officer by the name of Richard Warren who was serving with the 87th in India during this period, a likely candidate perhaps, although I would like to imagine that it may possibly have been a gift from the watchmaker, the great David Hare (1775-1842). He came to Calcutta in 1800, made his fortune and then spent it creating the Hindu School and the Hare School after seeing the plight of the children of Calcutta.
Additions, corrections, opinions and even roars of derision welcomed.
Trev.