Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. Jaffray, 11th Hussars, a gallant cavalry officer who often led his squadron in the charge, and was wounded in action at Montauban, 25 March 1918. He served as Military Secretary to the Governor General of New Zealand, 1943-46

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. A. Jaffray.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; together with silver Peace 1919 commemorative medal, lacquered, generally good very fine (8) £300-400

Hugh Alexander “Dick” Jaffray was born in Warwickshire, in September 1896. He was the son of Sir William Jaffray, 2nd Bt., and was educated at Eton and Sandhurst. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 11th Hussars, 15 May 1915. He served during the Great War with the Regiment, in the French theatre of war from 13 February 1916. A gallant officer, he served with distinction leading both ‘B’ and ‘A’ Squadrons in France, February 1916 - November 1918. In particular during the recapture of Sailly Laurette in 1918, when, ‘not only were the men tired, for this was the seventh day of the battle, but they were few in numbers - barely one hundred and twenty men were available for this attack; nevertheless they went forward to the attack with magnificent dash, in spite of considerable machine-gun-fire from the other side of the river. The first man into the village was Lieutenant H. A. Jaffray leading ‘A’ Squadron; he advanced ahead of his men and rounding the corner of a house ran straight into a party of Germans; he shot the first of them but was set upon by the remainder who bore him to the ground. Things might have gone badly with him, but at that moment Major Rome came round the corner, roaring, it is said, like a bull; he fired his revolver at point blank range at the nearest German and the others then surrendered. The Regiment then arrived and charged through the village. The Germans were taken completely by surprise.’ (Regimental History refers)

In March 1918 Jaffray was attached to the 9th Cavalry Brigade as a liaison officer. He served with the Brigade when they were ordered to hold the bridges at Pargny, Somme, on the 23rd March, and ‘his horse was wounded and when he turned to come back he found that all the bridges were blown up; he tried to swim the river, but his horse stuck in the mud and had to be left, Mr. Jaffray rejoining the Regiment dismounted.’ (Ibid)

Jaffray returned for service with the Regiment and was wounded in action at Montauban, 25 March 1918. He served as Adjutant 11th Hussars, 1922-25, during which time the Regiment was stationed in India. A keen sportsman, he was appointed Master of the Ootacamund Hounds in 1924. The following year he was appointed an Instructor at the Equitation School at Weedon, ‘and, as he was one of the finest horsemen we have had in the Regiment, it was not long before he made his reputation there as such.’ (XI Hussar Journal refers)

Jaffray transferred to the Reserve of Officers in 1929. He re-engaged for service during the Second War as a Major, 11th Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, and additionally served as Military Secretary to the Governor General of New Zealand, 1943-46. He retired as Lieutenant-Colonel, and died 5 June 1958.

Sold together with a photographic group image of the ‘Sergeants’ Mess, 11th Hussars, Meerut, 1923’ in which the recipient is pictured.