Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Major, later Colonel, H. E. Noel, Royal Horse Artillery

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major H. E. Noel); Territorial Force War Medal (Capt. H. E. Noel. R.A.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R.; Special Constabulary Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Harold E. Noel) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £2000-2500

D.S.O. London Gazette 26 March 1918; details 24 August 1918: Capt. (A/Maj.) Harold Ernest Noel, R.H.A.

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His personal example inspired and encouraged his men on what seemed an impossible task, that of making a pathway for the guns under the most difficult and dangerous conditions. Having got his Battery in action in time to render material aid in repelling an enemy attack, he remained in the open with a section, which was being subjected to heavy shell and machine gun fire, displaying marked gallantry, and by his contempt of danger did much to inspire his men with confidence.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1920 (Allenby - Egypt).

Harold Ernest Noel was born in 1884, the son of Byron Noel, of Oakham, Surrey. Privately educated, he married in 1914 Isabella Bruce Baird, daughter of G. H. Blunt of Leicester. As a Captain in the Territorial Force he served during the Great War with the Royal Horse Artillery in Egypt from February 1916, being appointed Acting Major in December 1917 and confirmed in that rank on 1 March 1918. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1924 and to Brevet Colonel in 1928.