A rare British North Borneo General Service Medal group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant Frank Reginald Hallowell Carew, 9th Gurkha Rifles

1914-15 Star (2-Lt., 1-9 G.R.); British War and Victory Medals (2-Lt.) mounted as worn; British North Borneo General Service Medal 1937-41 (Frank Reginald Hallowell Carew) mounted as worn, minor edge bruising, very fine and better (4) £2000-2500

Ex Sotheby’s 27 September 1978.

The British North Borneo Company's General Service Medal was sanctioned in the Company's official gazette on 6 April 1937. Despite its name, the medal was created to reward those within North Borneo for acts of exceptional courage, specially valuable services, or long and meritorious service of not less than 18 years. Issued within the period 1937-41, a total of 44 medals were awarded - 1 for exceptional courage, 5 for specially valuable services and 38 for long and meritorious service. Living up to the 'general' part of its title, the medal was granted to a wide range of personnel, including members of the Legislative Council, district officers, clergy, railway executives, rubber planters, constabulary and native chiefs.

Frank Reginald Hallowell Carew, a planter, was awarded the medal for long and meritorious service to North Borneo. This was announced in the North Borneo Gazette and the British North Borneo Herald of 2 November 1937. Sold with copied m.i.c. which confirms Carew as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1/9th Gurkha Rifles and the Indian Army Reserve of Officers.