Lot Archive
The mounted group of nine miniature dress medals attributed to Brigadier General J. H. du Boulay Travers, Order of the Bath, Military Division, silver-gilt and enamel, ring suspension; Order of St. Michael & St. George, silver-gilt and enamel, ring suspension; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-9; Queen’s South Africa, 3 clasps, Johannesburg, Cape Colony, Orange Free State; King’s South Africa, 2 clasps; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf; Coronation 1911, silver, mounted as worn, good very fine (9) £80-120
Brigadier General Jonas Hamilton du Boulay was born on 8 November 1861, the son of Major General R. H. Travers. He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 24th Foot in 1881 and was promoted Lieutenant the same year. He served in Burma during 1887-89 for which he was awarded the I.G.S. medal with clasp and in 1889 he was promoted Captain. Promoted Major in 1899 he served in the Boer War, being present at operations in the Orange Free State, February-May 1900, including the actions at Karee Siding, Vet River and Zand River. He then participated in operations in the Transvaal, May-June 1900, including action near Johannesburg. Further service in the two Boer republics followed. He ended the war as Commandant of Ventersdorp. For his services he received the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel and was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902). He was subsequently promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1907 and commanded the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers during 1907-11, received the brevet of Colonel in 1908, was promoted Colonel in 1911 and was appointed Temporary Brigadier in 1914. During the Great War he commanded the 40th Infantry Brigade, August 1914-October 1915, serving in Gallipoli during June-November 1915 and commanded the 159th Infantry Brigade, March 1916-October 1917. He served in the Egypt Expeditionary Force during March-November 1917. He was instrumental in planning the joint Anglo-Italian operation to Siwa in the Western Desert in July 1916 in order to pacify local tribes. For his services he was awarded the C.B. in 1916, the C.M.G. in 1918, was four times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 6 January 1916, 28 January 1916, 25 September 1916 and 12 January 1918. He retired in 1919 with the honorary rank of Brigadier General and died on 19 March 1933. Sold with 18 contemporary photo cards of Egypt and the Suez Canal together with some copied research.
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