Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Nine: Colonel Leonard Bishop Grant, Simla Rifles, late East Kent Regiment

1914-15 Star (Capt., E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); War and India Service Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these unnamed; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., unnamed, with top bar; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, India, reverse inscribed, ‘Lt-Col. L. B. Grant, Simla Rif ., A.F.I.’, mounted court style for wear, fine and better (9) £280-320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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Leonard Bishop Grant was born in Sittingbourne, Kent, on 16 November 1882. He was educated at Felsted School, after which he practised as an Architect. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion The Buffs, on 1 April 1909, being promoted to Lieutenant on 1 March 1910 and Captain on 6 May 1914. On mobilization, his battalion was sent to India. He was appointed Adjutant of the 1/4th Battalion on 27 March 1915. He served in Aden from 1 March 1915 until the end of the war. Grant was appointed D.A.A. & Q.M.G. in the Mhow Division, Southern Command, India, on 15 March 1917. Captain (Temporary Major) Grant was ‘brought to notice for gallant and distinguished service rendered in connection with the military operations at Aden during the period 1st February 1918 to 21st August 1918’, this was published in the London Gazette of 7 April 1919. In connection with these services, he was promoted to Brevet Major in June 1919. Grant was again brought to notice for gallant and distinguished services at Aden during the period 1st September to 31st December 1918, published in the London Gazette of 20 December 1919. Remaining in India after the war, he was appointed D.A.A.G. in the Recruiting Section of the Directorate of Mobilization and Recruiting, Adjutant-General’s Branch, July 1920. Captain and Brevet Major relinquished his commission in the 4th Battalion The Buffs, whilst retaining his rank on 31 May 1922. Major Grant was awarded the Territorial Decoration, notified in the London Gazette of 29 July 1924. Joining the A.F.I., he commanded the Simla Rifles as Lieutenant-Colonel with effect from July 1923. Whilst in the A.F.I. Grant was granted the honorary rank of Colonel in 1928; appointed Honorary A.D.C. to the Viceroy, 7 March 1928; and appointed Honorary A.D.C. to the Commander-in-Chief, 31 July 1938. He was awarded the Jubilee Medal in 1935 and Coronation Medal 1937, as Lieutenant-Colonel (Honorary Colonel), Simla Rifles; awarded the C.I.E. (London Gazette 23 June 1936), and awarded the Efficiency Decoration (India) (Gazette of India 22 January 1944). Returning to England after the Second World War, he lived in Benenden, Kent. Colonel L. B. Grant, C.I.E., T.D., E.D., died on 2 March 1974. Sold with copied research.