Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

SAS Interest, an unattributed full Colonel’s dress barathea tunic and trousers. Both items retailed by Messrs. Moss Bros, Covent Garden, the handwritten tailoring details state “1468 034522 37R 212”. The tunic bears EIIR scarlet gorget tabs silver anodised insignia to the rank of Colonel, silver anodised buttons bearing regimental badge by Gaunt, London, embroidered SAS wings and three rows of medal ribbons including OBE, MC and Bar, 8th Army Distinction and WWII MID, slight moth damage to the two lower tunic pockets otherwise good overall condition £150-250

Note: The Vendor suggests that this is most likely the uniform of Col. David Sutherland who, though briefly attached to the SAS, actually served for most of the time in the SBS, winning the MC and Bar, a “mention” and the Greek War Cross (the last riband on the uniform). Moreover, in addition to serving in MI5 and working in the MOD (1950-80), he was Gold Staff Officer at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 and a member of the Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the latter two appointments undoubtedly gaining him the Coronation 1953 and Jubilee 1977 Medals. So, too, a post-war Territorial, who commanded 21 SAS (1956-60) and was Deputy CO of the SAS (1967-72) - thus his Emergency Reserve Decoration. That leaves the Order of the British Empire riband which appears to be for an MBE or OBE, rather than a CBE to which he was entitled (awarded 1974). Maybe he had been awarded an MBE or OBE in the intervening period?