Auction Catalogue

31 March 2010

Starting at 10:00 AM

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British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 575

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31 March 2010

Hammer Price:
£2,500

The Tibet Medal group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Septimus Frederick Legge, Royal Fusiliers, who was second-in-command of the battalion during the Tibet Expedition

Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (Capt., 1st Bn. Ryl. Fuslrs.); 1914-15 Star (Major, R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major), mounted as worn, very fine (4) £1500-2000

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916; 4 January 1917.

Septimus Frederick Legge was born in Liverpool on 7 July 1865. From the Militia he entered the Regular Army, being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 11 November 1888, serving for over three years with the 1st Dragoon Guards. Later, with the Royal Fusiliers, he was promoted to Lieutenant in October 1891 and Captain in April 1898. During this time he served in India, February 1889-October 1891 and Egypt, October 1891-June 1892. As Captain of the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he took part in the Tibet Expedition, 1903-04, being 2 i.c. of the battalion during the operations at and around Gyantse and on the march to Lhasa.

Serving in the Great war, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war as a Major on 28 February 1915. He was D.A.Q.M. 46th Division T.F., 6 August 1914-8 January 1917. From the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he was placed on Retired Pay in January 1917. For his wartime services he was twice mentioned in despatches. Listed on his m.i.c. as being awarded the Silver War Badge.

With extensive research contained in two folders - one of which contains a transcription of Captain Legge’s diary - the original being held by the National Army Museum, London. Entries transcribed cover the period 14 May-29 October 1904, providing details on the entry into Llasa and the Durbar at the Chinese Residency, a potential incident at the Drepung Monastery and the signing of the convention at Potala.