4th class Order of Saint Vladimir awarded to Colonel Sir Joseph Muter for the Battle of Waterloo

See also https://asiamedals.info/threads/orders-of-st-george-for-battle-of-waterloo.23440/

Gold, enamel.

 

Joseph Muter (later Straton) joined the 2nd (Queen’s) Dragoon Guards in December 1794 and served in that regiment as a cornet and lieutenant. In March 1797 he purchased a troop in the 13th Light Dragoons and a majority in the same regiment on 14 August 1801.

In 1804 and 1805 he studied at the Royal Military College, High Wycombe and on leaving the College, was appointed to the Duke of Gloucester’s staff.

He obtained a brevet lieutenant colonelcy in April 1808 and in 1810 accompanied his regiment to the Peninsula where he served partly in command of his regiment and partly as second in command for three years. In the Peninsula Muter saw action in the battles of Campo Mayo, Albuhera, Usage, Arroyo dos Molinos and Alba de Tormes. On 4 June 1813, the Commander-in-Chief acknowledged his services by giving him the lieutenant colonelcy of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, coming into the colonelcy exactly a year later.

At Waterloo Muter commanded the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons at the beginning of the battle but, on the death of Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, took over command of the "Union Brigade" comprising the 1st Royal Dragoons, the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) and the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. This brigade, with the brigade of Life Guards, Blues, and King’s Dragoon Guards, form the two brigades of cavalry mentioned by the Duke of Wellington as having particularly distinguished themselves at Waterloo. Towards the close of the action, Colonel Muter was wounded, and his horse wounded twice.

Muter was appointed a C.B. in the "Waterloo" Gazette of 22 June 1815, and was further honoured by the Emperor of Russia with the fourth class of the Order of St Vladimir, "in testimony of His Imperial Majesty’s approbation of his services and conduct, particularly in the late Battles fought in the Netherlands."

In 1816 Muter inherited the property of his aunt, a Miss Straton of Montrose and assumed the name of Straton. He was promoted to Major-General in May 1825, and in 1832 he was knighted, becoming a Knight Commander of the Hannoverian Guelphic Order. Further promotion to Lieutenant-General followed in June 1838 and he was appointed Colonel of the 17th Lancers from January to August 1839; and of the 8th Hussars from August 1839 until April 1840, when he took over as Colonel of his old regiment, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons.

Sir Joseph Straton died on 23 October 1840, leaving the substantial part of his estate, some £70,000, to Edinburgh University. He requested that a tombstone be erected to him in St Cyrus Churchyard, Kincardine, and, amongst other small bequests, "To the Sixth or Inneskillen Regiment of Dragoons, the Regiment which I long commanded, and of which I am now Colonel the sum of five hundred pounds sterling to be paid to the Commanding Officer, and to be applied to such purposes as he and the Mess Committee of the Regiment may think right".​

 

Waterloo 1815 medal /engraved Colonel Muter, 6th or Inniskilling Drag./

 

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge in gold hallmarked London 1815.

 

The Royal Guelphic Order, K.C.H. (Military) breast star with swords /made by Rundell Bridge & Rundell in silver, gold and enamels, the centre, motto and wreath all set with small rubies, emeralds and diamonds, the reverse centre plaque inscribed "Rundell Bridge & Rundell, Jewellers to His Majesty and The Royal Family" and fengraved "Jos. Straton"/.