Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Warrant Officer Class 2 W. H. Whittle, 3rd Dragoon Guards, late 1st (The King’s) Dragoon Guards

British War and Victory Medals (GS-5661 Sjt., 3-D. Gds.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Cpl., K.D. Gds.) impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (391596 W.O. Cl. II, 3-D. Gds.) mounted as worn; together with Austria, Commander’s Jubilee Medal for Foreigners 1848-1908, bronze (Sgt.W. Whittle, K.D. Gds.) impressed naming; with cap badges of the King’s and 3rd Dragoon Guards, very fine, scarce group (7) £500-600

The Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I became Colonel-in-Chief of the King’s Dragoon Guards in 1896, and remained so until the outbreak of war in 1914. On 2 December 1908 the Emperor instituted the Commander’s Jubilee Medal for Foreigners to commemorate the 6th Anniversary of rule. It was awarded to certain members of the 11 non-Austrian regiments of which the Emperor was honorary commander. It was awarded in three metals: in gold to certain German royal princes; in silver to all officers of the regiments, and in bronze to ensigns, standard bearers and non-commissioned officers. Some 40 gold, 635 silver and 2,000 bronze medals were issued, of which 35 in silver and 88 in bronze were issued to the King’s Dragoon Guards. The Delhi Durbar and Austrian Jubilee Medals impressed in the same style - possibly done at the Calcutta Mint.

With a postcard commemorating the Emperor’s Jubilee and copied research.