A remarkable M.V.O. group of nine awarded to Alfred Evans, Dean’s Verger at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor - having participated in the Perak operations as a Naval rating in 1874-76, he went on to qualify for the Defence Medal in the 1939-45 War

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘599’; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Perak (A. Evans, Ord., H.M.S. Modeste); Defence Medal 1939-45; Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver; Jubilee 1897, bronze; Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted with new ribands on original wearing bar, contact marks but otherwise very fine or better (9) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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M.V.O. London Gazette 11 May 1937

Alfred William Evans, a native of Devonshire, joined the Royal Navy as a boy rating in 1872, and was present in the Perak operations of 1874-76 as an Ordinary Seaman aboard H.M.S. Modestee Clearly a talented seaman, he attained Petty Officer status as a Captain of the Main Top, in addition to coming to the attention of H.R.H. Prince Edward and H.R.H. Prince George (later George V), during their voyage round the world aboard H.M.S. Bacchante - a voyage that opened a new chapter in Evans’ life, for in time he was taken under the wing of Canon Dalton, the Princes’ tutor, and accompanied him on a visit to Geneva, and at Cambridge University during Prince Edward’s residence as an undergraduate at Trinity College. Writing to Prince George in November 1883, Dalton said that Evans had recently been accosted by the College Proctors and asked if he were a member of the university as he was without cap and gown - ‘Evans was much amused at it’.

In 1896, presumably on Dalton’s recommendation, Evans entered the service of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, as Dean’s Verger, in which office he remained employed for over 50 years, and, according to his obituary in the Windsor, Slough & Eton Express, was a striking figure whom King Edward VII and King George V esteemed highly - ‘the latter enjoyed introducing him to his naval friends as an old shipmate.’ He was, too, recipient of all of the above described Coronation & Jubilee Medals, in addition to being awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver in September 1916 and the M.V.O., 5th Class in May 1937. Added to which, for services in the Civil Defence in the 1939-45 War, he was awarded the Defence Medal - around 70 years after having received his India General Service Medal for the Perak operations

Evans, who finally retired in 1947, died at his residence in Windsor in October of the following year, aged 92 years, and his funeral at St. George’s was attended by Sir Owen Morshead, representing the King, the Earl and Countess of Gowrie, and the Military Knights of Windsor, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Kavanagh, among many others; sold with related research.