Orders, Decorations and Medals

The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel M. W. R. de Courcy, Indian Army, 34th Baron Kingsale and Premier Baron of Ireland

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., gold and enamel, complete with top bar; Tibet 1903-04, no clasp; India General Service 1908-35, 3 clasps, Abor 1911-12, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1921-24; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Serbia, Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class badge with swords, silver, gold and enamel, mounted court style as worn, in Spink, London leather case, second fine, others very fine and better (7) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Tibet Medals 1903-04 formed by Colonel Richard H. Harris.

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Michael William Robert de Courcy was born on 26 September 1882, the eldest son of Michael Constantine de Courcy, the 33rd Baron Kingsale (created 1223) and Baron of Ringrone. He was educated at Dulwich College; Kelly College, Tavistock, and Sandhurst. In the latter he passed out first and was awarded the King’s Medal and the Anson Memorial Sword. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers in October 1902. Transferring to the Indian Army in August 1904 and serving with the 32nd Sikh Pioneers, he was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1905; Captain in October 1911 and Major in October 1917. He served in the latter part of the Tibet Expedition, 1904, then in the Abor Expedition, 1911-12, for which he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 16 July 1912). Serving during the Great War, 1915-18, he was Brigade-Major of the 6th Infantry Brigade in Mesopotamia. For his services he was three times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 19 October 1916, 14 November 1916 and 15 August 1917) and awarded the D.S.O. (London Gazette 25 August 1917) and the Serbian Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class with swords. Major de Courcy then served in the Marri Operations for which he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 18 May 1920), the Afghan War of 1919 for which he was again mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 3 August 1920), and the Waziristan Campaign of 1921-24. In 1922 he was appointed D.A.Q.M.G. Eastern Command, India. He retired from the Indian Army as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1931 and in the same year succeeded his father as the 34th Baron (by some reckonings 29th Baron) Kingsale, Baron of Ringrone and the Premier Baron of Ireland. Baron Kingsale died on 21 October 1965 and was succeeded by his only surviving grandson, John. Sold with some copied research.