An important group awarded to Major-General Sir George Pretyman, K.C.M.G., C.B., Colonel Commandant, Royal Artillery, late A.D.C. and Military Secretary to Earl Roberts

THE MOST DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE, K.C.M.G., neck badge and breast star in silver, gilt and enamels, some enamel damage to both centres of badge; THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, C.B. (Military) breast badge in 18 carat gold and enamels, with correct suspension but lacking ribbon buckle; CANADA GENERAL SERVICE 1866-70, 2 clasps, Fenian Raid 1866, Fenian Raid 1870 (Lieut., 10th Brigade R.A.) officially impressed naming; AFGHANISTAN 1878-80, 3 clasps, Peiwar Koral, Charasia, Kandahar (Captn., R.A.) the obverse with contact marks from star KABUL To KANDAHAR STAR 1880 (Br. Major, Royal Artillery); QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Driefontein, S.A. 1901 (Maj. Genl. Sir, K.C.M.G., C.B., R.A.) officially engraved naming, the medals toned, generally good very fine and better (7)

George Tindal Pretyman was born on 1st March, 1845, and was educated at Wimbledon School and R.M.A. Woolwich. He joined the Royal Artillery on 21st March, 1865, and within a few months went to Canada where he served until July, 1870. During this period he was present throughout the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870. Pretyman went to India in February, 1875, and was promoted Captain in October, 1877. At the outbreak of the Afghan War in 1878, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Major General Sir Frederick Roberts and was present at the capture of the Peiwar Kotal and in all the operations in the Koorum and Khost Valleys (mentioned in despatches). He took part in the advance on and occupation of Kabul in 1879, and was present in the engagement at Charasia (mentioned in despatches). He was reappointed Aide-de-Camp to Sir Frederick Roberts in March, 1880, and rode with him on the desperate march from Kabul to Kandahar, and was present at the battle of Kandahar on 1st September, 1880 (mentioned in despatches). For his services during the Afghan campaign he was twice promoted by brevet, first to the rank of Major and afterwards to that of Lieutenant Colonel. Preryman was appointed Military Secretary to Sir Frederick Roberts in Madras in 1881, and was Assistant Adjutant General for the Royal Artillery in India from 1887 to 1889, when he took command of a second class District, Bengal. It was while thus employed that he commanded the 1st Infantry Brigade in the Isazai Expedition of 1892. The enterprise proved a bloodless one and consequently there were no medals or rewards. He was made C.B. (Military) in May, 1896, and promoted Major-General in the following year. On the outbreak of the War in South Africa, Lord Roberts offered him the position of Commandant at Headquarters which he accepted with effect from 23rd December, 1899. He was appointed Military Governor of Bloomfontein in 1900, and commanded the Kimberley District in 1901, and afterwards the Northern Cape Colony. For his services he was twice mentioned in despatches and created K.C.M.G. Pretyman returned to India in 1902 with the command of the Secunderabad District, and subsequently the command of the Forces in Madras, 1904, and of the Burma Division, 1906. He retired in 1907 and was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery in September 1908. Major-General Sir George Pretyman died on 3rd August, 1917. The group is sold with an original part from 'Celebrities of the Army', circa 1900, which includes a coloured portrait and biography; and an original portrait photograph of General Pretyman wearing his orders and medals. See also lots 253 and 261 for the medals awarded to his two sons.