Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An impressive mounted group of twenty-three miniature dress medals attributed to Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Pughe Lloyd, G.B.E., K.C.B., M.C., D.F.C., Royal Air Force - who was Air Officer Commanding Malta, 1941-42

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, G.B.E. (Military) Knight Grand Cross, 2nd type, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander, silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., silver; Distinguished Flying Cross, silver; 1914 Star, with Bar; British War and Victory Medals; India General Service 1908-35, 3 slip-on clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 slip-on clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R.; Coronation 1937, silver; Coronation 1953, silver; France, Croix de Guerre 1914-18, on W.W.2 type ribbon; France, Legion of Honour, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; U.S.A., Legion of Merit, Officer Class, gilt and enamel, with gilt emblem on ribbon, some enamel damage; Tunisia, Order of Nichan Iftikhar, 3rd Class, silver and enamel, rosette on ribbon; France, Croix de Guerre, undated, on W.W.1 type ribbon, mounted court style as worn, in red leather carrying case, some edge bruising, generally very fine (23) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Miniature Medals from the Collection of Mark Cline.

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Hugh Pughe Lloyd was born in Leigh, Worcestershire on 12 December 1894. Served in the Great War with the Army and Royal Air Force and was awarded the M.C. (London Gazette 22 June 1918, citation 8 February 1919) and D.F.C. (London Gazette 22 June 1918) for his outstanding services:

Military Cross citation: ‘This officer has rendered signal service on many occasions, notably on 1st November, when, noticing four hostile batteries harassing our advancing infantry, he, by sending calls to our artillery, succeeded in silencing them. During this flight he was continuously attacked by hostile formations, which he succeeded in driving off; despite this opposition he carried out a low reconnaissance, obtaining most valuable information as to the position of our advanced troops.’

Distinguished Flying Cross citation: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an offensive patrol he dropped bombs on motor transport, one lorry being completely destroyed and others damaged. Enemy troops advancing to the attack were then engaged with machine gun fire, which inflicted numerous casualties on them. Later, he bombed an enemy battery coming into action, the horses of which bolted, a great number of the gun detachments being killed. He has on all occasions shown the greatest pluck and determination in carrying out any task allotted to him.’

During the Second World War he served as Air A.D.C. to the King, 1940-41. He then served as Air Officer Commanding, Malta, 1941-42 at that critical time of the island’s defence. Afterwards he served as Commander, Allied Coastal Air Forces, Mediterranean, 1943-44 and was Commander, Commonwealth Bomber Force, Okinawa, 1944-45. For his wartime services and especially for his part in the defence of Malta, he was created a C.B.E. in 1941, K.C.B. in 1942 and C.B., then K.C.B. in 1942. After the war he was Senior Instructor at the Imperial Defence College, 1946-47; C-in-C., Air Command Far East, 1947-49; A.O.C.-in-C. Bomber Command, 1950-53. Retiring in 1953, he was further rewarded with the G.B.E. in 1953. Latterly living at Peterley Manor Farm, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, he died on 13 July 1981.

It is interesting to note that on his full-size medals, his 1914 Star was named to him as a sapper in the R.E. and his G.S.M. was named to him as an Air Chief Marshal! With copied research and photograph.