Orders, Decorations and Medals

An unusual inter-war civil C.B., C.B.E., Great War military O.B.E. group of ten awarded to Kenneth Lyon, Under Secretary of State in the 1939-45 War, late Captain, Royal Field Artillery

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1934, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, London fitted case; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Capt. K. Lyon); Defence Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; France, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, in silver, gilt and enamel, together with Glass Sellers’ Company’s Medal, bronze-gilt, officially named to ‘Kenneth Lyon, Esq., C.B., C.B.E., M.A., Master 1951-52’, in fitted case, mounted as worn where applicable, the O.B.E. with worn gilt and the French badge chipped at arms points, otherwise very fine and better (11) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of medals awarded to those having the surname 'Lyon'.

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C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1938.
C.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1924.
French Legion of Honour London Gazette 14 January 1921.

Kenneth Lyon was born at Rainhill, Lancashire in February 1886 and was educated at Birkenhead School and Merton College, Oxford. Entering the Civil Service in 1909, as a Higher Division Clerk at the War Office, he acted as Private Secretary to the Adjutant-General 1912-16. In June of the latter year, however, in order to play a more active part in the prevailing hostilities, he was accepted as a Cadet by the Royal Artillery and, on completion of his training at the end of the same year, was embarked for France as a 2nd Lieutenant in 13th Brigade, R.F.A., in which capacity he remained actively employed until the end of the War. And, in addition to being mentioned in the Secretary of State’s List in February 1917, and winning a “mention” in December 1918, was awarded the O.B.E. - the announcement of this latter honour has yet to be traced in the London Gazette, but is listed after his name in the same publication on the confirmation of his advancement to Captain (see London Gazette 16 July 1920).

Returning to his duties in the Civil Service, Lyon was Private Secretary to various Secretaries of State for War 1921-24, including Lord Derby, and was awarded the C.B.E. in the latter year. Next serving as Assistant Secretary at the War Office 1924-36, he was also a Member of the British Delegation to the Disarmament Conference at Geneva in 1932. Lyon took up his final appointment, as Under Secretary of State in 1936, in which latter capacity he was awarded the C.B. in 1938 and served throughout the 1939-45 War. A Freeman of the City of London, he served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Glass Seller 1951-52 and died in August 1956; sold with original Times obituary cutting (dated 6 August 1956), and related statements published in later editions.

Also see Lot 100 for his brother’s Honours and Awards.