An Order of St. John group of four awarded to Colonel W. D. Steel, The Monmouthshire Regiment, who also served as Deputy Lieutenant for Monmouthshire from 1914, and as President of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Branch of the British Medical Association

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer ‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver; Coronation 1911; Volunteer Officer’s Decoration, V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1899, with integral top riband bar; St. John Service Medal (1991. Cps. Surg. Col. W. D. Steel. (S. Wales Bor. Cps.) Priory for Wales. 1920.), mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £500-600

William Dyne Steel was born in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, in March 1855. He was educated at Marlborough College, and commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 9th Monmouthshire Rifle Volunteers in March 1880. Steel studied Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, King’s College and the London Hospital. Having qualified as a Doctor he practised in his home town, and was Medical Officer Health, Abergavenny U. District; Medical Officer and Public Vaccinations Llanarth District and Workhouse Abergavenny Union; and District Surgeon for L.N.W. Railways. Steel advanced to Captain in January 1884, and was appointed Honorary Major, 4th Volunteer Battalion, South Wales Borderers (re-designated from 9th Monmouthshire R.V.), in March 1895.

Steel was appointed as a Member of the General Council of the University of Aberdeen, and as Senior Physician of the Abergavenny Cottage Hospital, and Surgeon of the Abergavenny Dispensary. He served as a Lecturer and Examiner for the St. John Ambulance Association, and was appointed a Magistrate in 1896. Steel advanced to Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1900 (awarded his Volunteer Officer’s Decoration in May 1900), and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and officer commanding of the 4th Volunteer Battalion. He was appointed Honorary Colonel to the 3rd Battalion, The Monmouthshire Regiment (re-designated from the 4th Volunteer Battalion), in April 1908 . Steel was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Monmouthshire in May 1914 (having already been a JP for some time), and President of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Branch of the British Medical Association in the same year. He retired from military service in March 1914, only to re-engage for service as a Temporary Major with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, The Monmouthshire Regiment, in May 1915. He retired in July 1916 due to age and ill-health. Steel died in Abergavenny in November 1930.

For the medals to the recipient’s son, see Lot 29.

Sold with a file of copied research, including several photographic images of recipient.