Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Boer War and Great War C.B. and D.S.C. group of six awarded to Major General G. L. Raikes, Royal Marine Artillery, commanding R.M.A. Howitzers in France 1915-19

The Order of The Bath (Military) C.B., neck badge in silver-gilt and enamels; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein (Lieut., R.M.A. H.M.S. Monarch); 1914 Star (Major, R.M. Brigade); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Maj., R.M.A.) the last five mounted as worn; together with: small oval silver medal ‘T.R.H. Duke & Duchess of Cornwall & York. British Colonies 1901. H.M.S. Ophir’, in damaged glazed frame with ring suspension (similar to the various Visit to India medals); two Great War identity discs; various officers’ pips; a sliver napkin ring inscribed with his many appointments, services and ships; and 21 shooting and bayonet prize medals, the Q.S.A. nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (Lot) £1400-1800

C.B. London Gazette 3 July 1926.

D.S.C. London Gazette 1 January 1916: ‘For services with the Royal Marine Artillery Heavy Howitzer Brigade in France.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916 and 4 July 1919.

George Leonard Raikes was born on 11 April 1878, the son of Colonel G. W. Raikes, K.R.R.C. (Militia). He joined the Royal Marine Artillery in September 1896 as 2nd Lieutenant, becoming Lieutenant in July 1897. He served in South Africa, joining the brigade under Lord Roberts at the Modder River in January 1900, and served with it throughout the campaign. He commanded the Royal Marine detachment from Monarch, with a 4.7-inch gun on an improvised mounting, from 11th to 22nd January at Modder River, and from 18th April to 19th May at and between Bloemfontein and Kronstadt (Medal with three clasps). He was invalided home in July 1900 with Enteric fever. In 1901 he served with the detachment in H.M.S. Ophir during the Colonial tour of T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. He was employed on the Staff at R.N. College, Osborne, 1903-06, was Instructor of Wireless Telegraphy, Atlantic Fleet, 1908-09, and similarly at H.M.S. Vernon 1909-10. Appointed Instructor of Gunnery in 1911, he was, in 1912, appointed Member of a Committee to consider the defence of Scapa Flow, where he was serving until September 1914.

In October 1914, Raikes was posted to the Royal Marine Artillery 12-pounder Battery at Dunkirk. He served subsequently with the R.M.A. Howitzer Brigade in France until April 1919. Raikes commanded No. 2 Battery, from February to December 1915, at the battles of Neuve Chapelle, Frezenberg Ridge and Loos. He then took over Command of No. 6 Battery on the Somme and took part in the battle of Albert, the first battle of the Scarpe, the battle of Bullecourt, action in the Hindenburg Line, and all the battles of the Flanders Offensive from August 1917, culminating in the second battle of Paschendaele. In March 1918 his battery took part in the battle of St Quentin and in August he assumed command of No. 1 Siege Battery, an amalgamation of Nos. 5 and 6 Batteries, taking part in the battle of the St Quentin Canal in September and October 1918.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in May 1921, Raikes became Colonel Commandant in April 1928, was A.D.C. to the King, 1928-29, and was promoted to Major-General at the end of that year. He retired in June 1930 and died on 11 October 1949, the first ever D.S.C. recipient to achieve General rank.

Raikes was an outstanding sportsman and played Rugby football for the United Services from 1898 until 1914. He was also highly proficient with the bayonet, revolver and rifle, winning many prizes throughout his career. The group is accompanied by the following prize medals: Royal Naval and Military Tournament for Bayonet Competitions 1914 (1 silver, 1 bronze, both 1st prize and both named); Royal Tournament medals for Bayonet Competitions 1922-27 (6 silver, 8 bronze, all named); Royal Marines Rifle Association silver medal 1914 (Capt.), and silver cross 1929 (Brigadier); and three Royal Marines bronze medals for revolver shooting, with various dated bars etc., 1903-27, these three unnamed.