Orders, Decorations and Medals

The group of six medals awarded to Captain H. E. Stewart, Royal Sussex Regiment, who was killed in action during the Great War

1914-15 Star (Capt., R. Suss. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1902, silver issue; Coronation 1911; France, Legion of Honour, fifth class, breast badge, silver gilt and enamels, the last with some enamel damage, otherwise generally nearly extremely fine (6) £300-400

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 May 1917.

France, Legion of Honour granted under Regimental Orders of 14 June 1917.

Captain Henry Edward Stewart was born in 1889, the son of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Edward Stewart, K.B.E., by his wife Lady Philippa Stewart (daughter of the 14th Duke of Norfolk). Stewart was awarded his Coronation Medals for his service as a Page of Honour at the coronation of King Edward VII and as a Gentleman Usher at the coronation of King George V. These rôles were almost certainly granted to him by his maternal grandfather, the Duke of Norfolk, who as hereditary Earl Marshal of England was responsible for all arrangements for coronations.

Stewart was commissioned into the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914, attaining the rank of Captain in 1915. He left England for France, in command of the 8th battalion (Pioneers), Royal Sussex Regiment in July of that year.

He was killed in action in the Henin-sur-Cojeul area of France on 1 June 1917. He is buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St Marc, France. A picture of Stewart appears in the War Illustrated, 28 July 1917, a copy of which is included with the lot.