Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. J. Kerans, Worcestershire Regiment, late Imperial Yeomanry and Rifle Brigade

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (9647 Pte. E. Kerans, 45th Coy. Imp. Yeo.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Lt. E. T. J. Kerans, Rif. Bde.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. T. J. Kerans, Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. E. T. J. Kerans); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (Edward Thomas Kerans, 10th June 1893) with bronze buckle on ribbon, last with edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (7) £1600-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 28.

D.S.O. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916; 13 July 1916; 4 January 1917; 22 May 1917.

Edward Thomas J. Kerans was born on 26 February 1880. As a student, at great personal risk, he attempted to rescue Martin McNamara from drowning in the Camcor River, Parsontown, on 10 June 1893 (Ref. R.H.S. Case No. 26,842). For his efforts he was awarded the R.H.S. Medal in bronze (unsuccessful).

In the Boer War he served in the ranks of the 45th Company (Dublin Hunt) Imperial Yeomanry. Commissioned into the Rifle Brigade, he served in operations in the Transvaal, November 1900-August 1901; operations in the Orange River Colony and Cape Colony, January-May 1902, and in operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal, September-October 1901. In the Great War he was in command of the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, 3 June 1916-5 July 1917, serving in Gallipoli, 25 April 1915-9 January 1916; with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 12 January-March 1916, and France/Flanders, March 1916-July 1917. Wounded in action, he was four times mentioned in despatches, created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, and awarded the Brevet of Major. Sold with a copied photograph and research.