Orders, Decorations and Medals

A mounted group of ten miniature dress medals representative of the medals awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Pittham, Royal Army Pay Corps, Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Officer’s (O.B.E.) military, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., 1 slip-on clasp, Malaya, M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 slip-on clasp, Kenya; Coronation 1953; Army L.S. & G.C., 3rd issue, Regular Army; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, mounted for display, very fine and better (10) £40-60

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Miniature Medals from the Collection of Ian McInnes.

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John Henry Pittham was born on 3 October 1899 and enlisted into the R.A.P.C. in 1918. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. as a W.O.2 in the R.A.P.C. in 1936. On the outbreak of the Second World War he was serving as a W.O. Class 1 at Singapore, and received his commission there in 1940. He evaded capture in the Far East and escaped to India, and was based in Ceylon during 1943. In 1945 he had attained the rank of Major. Pittham was mentioned in despatches for his services in Malaya during the period, 1 January-30 June 1949. He later served in Kenya and in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and was awarded the M.S.M. under the terms of A.O.98 of 1953 without annuity. By 1955 he had been promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and the following year he was awarded the O.B.E. (London Gazette 2 January 1956). He retired to Rainham, Kent later that same year. The miniature group is illustrated in The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, First Supplement by Ian McInnes.

These medals are representative of the awards to the above and have been assembled in recent years for display purposes.