Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War C.B. group of six awarded to Brigadier-General H. F. Kays, Highland Light Infantry


The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891 (Lieut., 2d Bn. High. L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Transvaal (Capt., 1/High. L.I.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj., High. L.I.); British War Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Brig. Gen.); Coronation 1911, mounted ‘Court’ style as worn, very fine and better, the I.G.S. rare to this regiment (6) £1000-1200

Horace Francis Kays was born on 15 May 1861. He was educated at Harrow and joined the Highland Light Infantry in December 1883. He took part in the Hazara Expedition 1891, as Assistant Superintendent of Signalling (Kays and 7 men of the H.L.I. earned this clasp); Superintendent of Signalling on the Miranzai Expedition 1891(Kays and 6 men of the H.L.I. earned this clasp) and was mentioned in despatches form Brig-Gen. Sir W. S. A. Lockhart: ‘Lieutenant H. F. Kays, Highland Light Infantry, has superintended the signalling of the force since its concentration. The management of this important service has left nothing to be desired. I wish to record my high appreciation of the work done by all ranks of signallers, who have been by far the hardest worked men in the field force.’

During the South African war he was Commandant at Barkley East from July 1901, and took part in operations in Cape Colony and Orange Free State, including operations at Paardeberg 17-26 February. He was promoted to Major, October 1902; Lieutenant Colonel, December 1908, commanding 2nd Battalion, H.L.I.; Colonel, December 1912; Temporary Brigadier General, August 1914. He was created a C.B. on 3 June 1918, ‘for services in connection with the war’, and his name was ‘brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the war’ (London Gazette 6 July 1918). He did not serve overseas during the war and is entitled to the British War Medal only.