Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ O.B.E. group of five awarded to Major S. F. Pope, Devonshire Regiment, who was three times Mentioned in Despatches

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E., (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major S. F. Pope.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear, light contact marks, good very fine (5) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 3 March 1919:
‘For valuable services rendered with military operations in Mesopotamia.’

M.I.D London Gazettes 12 March 1918; 27 August 1918; and 30 April 1919 (all for Mesopotamia).

Seymour Fell Pope was born in Crediton, Devon in 1880, the son of William Pope, a local Solicitor, he was educated at Waynflete House Preparatory School, Winchester College, and University College, Oxford. Following his father, he qualified a Solicitor in December 1904 and returned to practice in Crediton. Initiated into the Unity Lodge, Crediton, as a Freemason in December 1905 he was appointed Clerk, Crediton Rural District Council, in 1908.

Pope was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, on 1 October 1914 and having been appointed temporary Captain he embarked with the 6th Battalion for overseas service on 15 December 1914. Disembarking in India he was posted to the Depot 2/6th Battalion at Chakrata. Embarking for service with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force on 22 September 1916 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General, Base HQ, Mesopotamia, and was promoted Captain and then temporary Major whilst still employed s Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General in Mesopotamia on 5 February 1918. For his services in Mesopotamia he was three times Mentioned in Despatches and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1919 New Year’s Honours’ List.

Pope returned home in February 1919 and was disembodied at No. 1 Dispersal Unit, Fovant on 21 March 1919, being restored to the establishment 6th Battalion Devonshire Regiment the next day. Promoted Major in the 6th Battalion Devonshire Regiment Territorial Force Reserve on 26 February 1921, he transferred to the Territorial Force Reserve in May 1921 and returned to his solicitors practice in Crediton. He relinquished his commission, having attained the age limit, on 19 March 1930, retaining the rank of Major. In his capacity as Clerk, Crediton Rural District Council he was awarded the King George V Jubilee Medal 1935 and the King George VI Coronation Medal 1937. The 1939 Register shows him residing at Oakfield, and having in his employ Frederica and Alice Sternlieb, mother and daughter, as Cook and Parlour Maid, both being Austrian Jewish Refugees. Having held several local civil appointments in Crediton relating to his profession he died at Okefield, Crediton, on 23 October 1968, aged 88.

Sold with copied research.