Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major St. J. E. Montagu, Northumberland Fusiliers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt., North’d. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Cpt., Northd. Fus.); 1914 Star (Capt., North’d. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, some enamel damage, slight contact marks, very fine and better (7) £750-850

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. ‘Capt. (T./Maj.) r.p. North’d. Fus.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 April 1902; 17 February 1915; 20 December 1918; 5 July 1919

Legion of Honour, Chevalier Edinburgh Gazette 28 February 1916. ‘Captain (retired pay)’.

St. John Edward Montagu was born on 26 January 1878, the son of The Right Hon. Lord Robert Montagu, P.C. (2nd son of the 6th Duke of Manchester). Educated at Charterhouse, he entered the Northumberland Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant in January 1899 and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1900 and Captain in December 1901. On the Staff in the Boer War, he was present in the advance on Kimberley, including actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein. Present in operations in the Orange Free State, March-May 1900; in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July-November 1900, including the action at Venterskroon; in the Orange River Colony, May-July 1900, including the action at Rhenoster River; in Transvaal, December 1900, September-December 1901 and March 1902; in Cape Colony, December 1900-January 1901 and July 1901-May 1902. He commanded 200 men of the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in the action at Tweebosch (De Klipdrift), 7 March 1902. For his services in that battle he was mentioned in Lord Methuen’s despatches. He was subsequently awarded the Queen’s medal with four clasps and the King’s medal with two. Captain Montagu was placed on Half Pay in November 1910. Recalled for service in the Great War, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 20 September 1914 and served as A.D.C. to the Inspector General of Communications. Serving throughout the war he was three times mentioned in despatches and awarded the O.B.E. and Legion of Honour. Sold with copied m.i.c., gazette entries and research.