Auction Catalogue

25 & 26 June 2014

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 1151

.

26 June 2014

Estimate: £4,000–£5,000

A scarce Relief of Chitral 1895 ‘Fort Mastuj’ D.S.O. group of five awarded to Major G. H. Bretherton, Supply and Transport Corps, who was drowned whilst serving in the Tibet Expedition

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Samana 1891 (Lieutt. G. H. Bretherton S.C.); India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Captain G. H. Bretherton Comst. Deptt.); Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (Major G. H. Bretherton S. & T. Corps); Delhi Durbar 1903, silver, unnamed, fitted with silver ribbon buckle, the last with severe edge bruise, otherwise good very fine or better (5) £4000-5000

D.S.O. London Gazette 21 January 1896: ‘In recognition of services during operations of the Chitral Relief Force.’

M.I.D.
London Gazette 15 September 1891 and 5 April 1898.

George Howard Bretherton was born at Gloucester on 6 March, I860, son of Edward Bretherton, of Clifton, Bristol. He was educated privately, and joined the Royal Irish Regiment on 29 July 1882, from the Militia, and the I.S.C. on 18 September 1883; served in the Queen's Own Corps of Guides, 1884-87, becoming Lieutenant 15 February 1884; served with the First and Second Miranzai Expeditions, 1891; was mentioned in Despatches and received the Medal and clasp; was on special duty at Gilgit, 1893-97 (services acknowledged by Government), and became Captain on 29 July 1893.

Captain Bretherton served in the Chitral Campaign in 1895, being present at the investment of the Fort at Mastuj. He was mentioned in Despatches, received the Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The Insignia were presented on 14 April 1886. The Decoration was awarded for his services during the investment of Mastuj Fort, besieged by Chitralis for eighteen days until relieved by Colonel Kelly’s force. He took part in the operations on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the Tirah Expeditionary Force, as Brigade Commissariat Officer, Peshawar Column (Despatches, two clasps). From 1897 Major Bretherton was on special duty with the Supply and Transport Corps in Kashmir. In 1903 he was appointed Chief Supply and Transport officer of the British Expedition to Lhasa, Tibet, and earned well-deserved credit for his department. Major Bretherton was drowned when his raft sank while crossing the Tsanpo River at Chaksam, near Lhasa, on 24 July 1904 (Medal with clasp).

See Lot 522 for Major Bretherton’s miniatures.