Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War D.S.O., O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Major H. R. Poole, Royal Artillery

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (Lieut. H. R. Poole, R.G.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. H. R. Poole, R.G.A.); 1914-15 Star (Major H. R. Poole, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major H. R. Poole); France, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, this last with occasional enamel damage, contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (8)
£1600-1800

D.S.O. London Gazette 14 January 1916.

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.



Henry Reynold Poole, who was born in May 1877, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1899, and quickly witnessed active service in the Royal Garrison Artillery in the Boer War. Present in operations in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal in the period April 1900 to May 1902, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill, he was awarded the above described Medals & clasps, and was advanced to Lieutenant in February 1901.

Promoted to Major in October 1914, Poole first entered the French theatre of war in mid-May 1915 and remained actively employed there until returning to the U.K. in December 1916, gaining the D.S.O. in addition to a mention in despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1916 refers), and being appointed a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour (London Gazette 24 February 1916 refers). Having then received his D.S.O. at an investiture held in April 1917, he went back to France, and witnessed further active service in June-September of the same year, and added an O.B.E. to his accolades before being placed on the Retired List in November 1921; sold with copied research.