Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine C.S.I., M.C. group of ten awarded to Colonel H. W. Wagstaff, Royal Engineers

The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, C.S.I., Companion’s neck badge, gold and enamel, with central onyx cameo of a youthful Queen Victoria, the motto of the Order set in rose diamonds, suspended from a five-pointed silver star and ring suspension; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Capt., R.E.); Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these unnamed, medals mounted as worn, good very fine (10) £4000-5000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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C.S.I. London Gazette 14 June 1945. ‘Colonel Henry Wynter Wagstaff, M.C., Member, Establishment, Railway Board, New Delhi.’

M.C. London Gazette 25 August 1917. ‘Capt. Henry Wynter Wagstaff, R.E.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 August 1917 (Maude).

Henry Wynter Wagstaff was born on 19 July 1890 and was educated at Woodbridge Grammar School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the R.E. on 23 December 1910, he went out to India in 1913 and his first posting was to Kohat as an Assistant Garrison Engineer. He was subsequently Garrison Engineer at Hangu, Parachinar and Miranshah. During the early part of the Great War he was involved in minor operations in the Tochi Valley and Derajat, January-March 1915. He then served in Mesopotamia, July 1916-January 1918, serving at Basrah, Kut and Baghdad. He was employed as a G.S.O. 3rd Grade with the 2nd Division, 1 May 1917-1 August 1917 and with the 1st Indian Army Corps, 13 November 1917-1 January 1918. For his services he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross. He later served in the Third Afghan War. Colonel Wagstaff was placed on Retirement Pay in 1948 and in the same year was awarded the C.S.I. for his services on the Railway Board at New Delhi. Colonel Wagstaff died on 13 September 1992, aged 102 years.

With copied gazette extracts and other research; together with two copied photographs - one as a young officer; the other in later life wearing his C.S.I. and miniature medals.