Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Victorian campaign group of seven awarded to Surgeon Major-General Sir John Reade, K.C.B., Rifle Brigade and Army Medical Department

Jubilee 1897, silver (Surgn. Maj. Genl., C.B., Hony. Surgn. to the Queen); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911 (Surgeon Major General Sir, K.C.B., K.H.S.); Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Rifle Brigade) depot impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Asst. Surgn., 2nd Bn. Rifle Bde.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Surgn. Maj., A.M.D.); Turkish Crimea, British issue, unnamed, mounted on contemporary wearing bar in order listed, together with an original portrait photograph, circa 1890, light contact marks but generally very fine or better (7) £1600-1800

See Colour Plate XVI.

John By Cole Reade was born on 7 July 1832, at Perth, Upper Canada, son of Surgeon Colonel George Hume Reade, Canadian Militia. His godfather, after whom he was named, was General By, founder of Bytown, now called Ottawa. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon on 24 March 1854 and served with the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade throughout the Crimean campaign of 1854-55, including the battles of Alma and Inkermann, and the siege of Sebastopol. He was wounded on the 14th November 1855 at the explosion of the French siege train (Medal with three clasps, and Turkish Medal). He served with the same battalion of the Rifle Brigade during the whole of its service in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, including the actions at Cawnpore, capture of Lucknow, and numerous affairs during the Oude campaign (Medal with clasp). His elder brother, Surgeon Herbert Taylor Reade, won the Victoria Cross with the 61st Regiment at the assault of Delhi.

Promoted to Surgeon Major in March 1873, he next served in the Agfhan war of 1878-80 with the Candahar Column under Sir Donald Stewart (mentioned in despatches; Medal). He was appointed a Military C.B. in 1886, promoted to Surgeon Major General in 1888, Honorary Surgeon to the Queen in 1895, Knight of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 1897, Honorary Surgeon to King Edward VII in 1902, a Military K.C.B. in 1903, and Honorary Surgeon to King George V in 1911. Sir John Reade died in London on 5 November 1914. See also Lot 957 for his miniature group.