Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. Birrell-Anthony, Monmouthshire Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.) second with official correction to surname; Volunteer Officers’ Decoration, E.VII.R., unnamed, hallmarks for London 1903, complete with brooch bar, extremely fine (3) £180-220

Henry Anthony Birrell was born in Chepstow, Monmouthshire c.1861. A Solicitor by occupation, he assumed the name ‘Birrell-Anthony’ by deed poll in 1906. In May 1882 he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 1st Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteers; advanced to Captain in the 2nd Glamorganshire A.V. in 1890; resigning his commission in 1892. Appointed Captain in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers in December 1893 and granted the honorary rank of Major in July 1903. With the same rank he was appointed to the 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment in April 1908, being advanced to Major in June 1911 and Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1914. Major (Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel) Birrell-Anthony relinquished his appointment on 21 December 1917. Served as J.P. for Monmouthshire until his death on 30 December 1922.

His son and namesake, 2nd Lieutenant Henry Anthony Birrell-Anthony, 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, was killed in action on 8 May 1915 - his name being recorded on the Ypres Memorial. With copied research.