Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Wellington College, The King’s Medal, G.V.R., ‘military bust’, by Bertram Mackennal (Derek Gordon Harington Hawes), 45mm., 18ct. gold, 56.2g., in case of issue, ref. B.H.M. 4009, edge bruising, very fine £1450-1650

Wellington College, Sandhurst was erected by subscription in memory of the Duke of Wellington for the education of the orphan sons of commissioned officers. The building being opened by Queen Victoria on 29 January 1859. From 1860 a gold medal was awarded annually to the most outstanding student of the year.

Derek Gordon Harington Hawes was born on 13 May 1907, the son of Colonel C. H. Hawes, D.S.O., M.V.O. Educated at Wellington College, 1920-25, he was King’s Medallist in 1925 and Head of School and Captain of the Rugby XV. After attending the R.M.C. Sandhurst he was commissioned into the 2nd/14th Punjab Regiment, serving during 1927-34. He was then employed in the Indian Political Service, 1924-47. Post independence, he was engaged by the King Edward’s Hospital Fund for London, 1949-62 and was latterly Director-General of the International Hospital Federation, 1962-75. He died on 7 November 1986.