R.S.P.C.A. Medal for Meritorious Service to Animals, silver, engraved on reverse, ‘The Lord O’Hagan’, in case of issue, the lid inscribed, ‘The Lord O’Hagan’, claw tightened, extremely fine £100-140

‘The Lord O’Hagan, for eminent services in connection with the passing into law of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933’ (Ref. R.S.P.A. Annual Report 1934).

Maurice Herbert Towneley-O’Hagan was born on 20 February 1882, a son of the 1st Baron O’Hagan. Educated at Marlborough and Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining a M.A. , he succeeded his elder brother as 3rd Baron O’Hagan in 1900. Was Assistant Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, 1906-07, and Lord-in-Waiting to the King, 1907-10. Served in the Great War as a Major in the Essex R.H.A., being invalided in 1918. A Honorary Colonel of the 6th Battalion Essex Regiment; he served in the Second World War as a Lieutenant in the 9th Forest Battalion Hampshire Home Guard.

Served as a J.P. and D.L. for Essex and J.P. for Hampshire. A member of numerous committees, including: Chairman of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, 1929; Member of the National Executive of the British Red Cross Society and V.A.D. Council; President of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association; and Member of the Ecclesiatical Committee of Parliament, 1920-32 and 1943. Was in receipt of the Spanish Order of Isabella the Catholic, Grand Cross and British Jubilee 1935. Latterly living at Little Salterns, Beaulieu, Hampshire; he died on 18 December 1961.