A long-lost symbol of honour from the battle of Waterloo has been discovered in Derbyshire and will go under the hammer at an Etwall auctioneers.

The unique bar brooch features medals awarded to the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, Lieutenant-General Rowland Hill following the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall.

General Hill was awarded a series of medals, including the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and the Sword and the Peninsular Cross which all feature on the bar going under the hammer.

The medals will be sold as part of Hansons Auctioneers' militaria sale tomorrow, Tuesday, July 25.

The brooch is still in its original box and is one of the finest military finds that auctioneer, Charles Hanson, owner of the auction house, has ever seen.

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and the Sword and the Peninsular Cross
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and the Sword and the Peninsular Cross

Mr Hanson said: “The rarity and historical important of this item cannot be overstated.

“This gold and enamel badge would have been custom made for him by a jeweller. Small and elegant, it perhaps sums up the character of the man himself.

"He was brilliant on the battlefield and yet humble, a commander renowned for looking after his men. He rarely swore, only uttering an expletive in the most trying of circumstances.

“This badge deserves to sell for many thousands of pounds and is worthy of a military museum. It was brought into our salesroom in Etwall and is an astonishing find.

“This bar brooch is so unique and original; it is an object money cannot normally buy. We expect it to soar at auction and mirror the ferocious battles of the Napoleonic era. Its estimate is £1,000 to £2,000 but we think it could fetch far more.”

The bar brooch is being sold at Hansons Auctioneers’ coins, medals and militaria auction tomorrow, Tuesday, July 25 beginning at 10am.

If you are interested in the item or any others from the sale, bids can be placed online, by phone or in person at the auction house, in Heage Lane, Etwall. More information is available by emailing service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or by calling 01283 733988.