Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

School of Military Engineering Fowke’s Medal, obverse: high relief uniformed bust of Francis Fowke left; reverse: within a stylized wreath of laurel, ‘Memorial Medal established by the officers of Royal Engineers as an Architectural Prize in the Corps’ (2nd Lieut. N. J. Hopkins 1891) 58mm., 7mm. thick, silver, ref. B.H.M. 2940, Eimer 1581, nearly extremely fine £80-100

The Fowke’s Medal was established by the officers of the School of Military Engineering, Chatham and awarded in memory of Francis Fowke, as an annual architectural prize, ‘to the officer who specially distinguished himself in the construction course, and also to the non-commissioned officer or sapper who acquired distinction in the Department of Estimating and Construction’. The medal was first awarded in 1872.

Captain Francis Fowke, Royal Engineers and architect (1823-65) was designer of the Museum of Science and Art in Edinburgh; planner of the buildings in the International Exhibition of 1862 and was largely responsible for the design of the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Major N. J. Hopkins, R.E. served in France/Flanders, 16 August-2 September 1914 and was wounded. He was awarded the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel and the Legion of Honour 5th Class. Awarded the 1914 Star with clasp trio.