Auction Catalogue

12 May 2015

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

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Lot

№ 655

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12 May 2015

Hammer Price:
£120

Five: attributed to Major L. J. Ghost, Royal Artillery - awarded the M.V.O. 4th Class as Clerk to the Board of the Green Cloth

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, extremely fine (5) £120-160

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1946. ‘... in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Mediterranean Theatre.’ ‘Major (temp) L. J. Ghost (233027)’.

Major Leonard John Ghost, Royal Artillery was mentioned in despatches in recognition of his service in the Mediterranean theatre during the Second World War. He was awarded the Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O. 4th Class (not with lot) on 31 December 1983 (New Years Honours) for his services ‘Lately as Clerk to the Board of the Green Cloth’ - at the time of this award his surname was spelt ‘Gost’.

With original M.I.D. certificate (damaged); and damaged card medal forwarding box addressed to ‘Major L. J. Ghost, 17 Carlisle St., Soho Sq., W.1’; with a number of original papers relating to the award of the M.V.O - including Central Chancery letter informing him of the award, 24 November 1983; Buckingham Palace luncheon invitation; Central Chancery letter re. application to attend a service of the Order at Windsor, 10 April 1987 - with envelope addressed to ‘Leonard J. Gost, Esq. LVO, 21 Sussex Square, Hyde Park, London, W2 2SL’ and a letter from the Board of Green Cloth Verge of the Palaces, 12 June 1986.

The ‘Board of the Green Cloth’ audited the accounts of the Royal Household; were responsible for arrangement for royal travel and also sat as a court for offences committed within the royal palaces. The name is derived from the colour of the green baize tablecloth around which members of the board sat.