Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Mesopotamia operations C.M.G. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Thornton, Indian Army

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in damaged Garrard, London case of issue; China 1900, no clasp (Captn., 16th Bl. Lcrs.) ‘16th’ officially corrected; Tibet 1903-04, no clasp (Capt., S. & T. Corps) surname officially corrected; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col., 16-Cavalry); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Lt. Col.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Major C. C. Thornton, 16th Cavalry) medals mounted as worn (ribbons ragged) and contained in damaged Spink, London red leather case, good very fine and better (7) £1200-1600

C.M.G. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 5 April 1916; 13 July 1916.

Charles Edward Thornton was born on 10 November 1867, son of Major-General C. J. M. Thornton, Indian Army. He was educated at Bath College and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 22 May 1889. In May 1890 he was transferred in that rank to the Indian Staff Corps. Promoted Captain in 1898, Major in 1905 and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1913. Served in both the China 1900 and Tibet campaigns as a Captain in the 16th Bengal Lancers. During the Great War he served in Mesopotamia in command of the 16th Cavalry as part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade. He was severely wounded, twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.M.G. He retired from the Indian Army due to ill-health in September 1919. Lieutenant-Colonel Thornton died on 21 January 1946. With a quantity of copied research.