Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Boer War D.S.O. group of three awarded to Major Hon. St Leger Jervis, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was severely wounded at Colenso when acting as A.D.C. to Major-General Arthur Fitzroy ‘No-Bobs’ Hart

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., complete with top suspension brooch; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Maj: Hon: St Ledger H. Jervis, D.S.O, K.R.R.C.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. Hon. St. L. H. Jervis, D.S.O. K.R.R.C.) minor chips to green enamel wreaths, otherwise good very fine (3) £2000-2600

Provenance: Lovell Collection, Sotheby, November 1978.

D.S.O. London Gazette 19 April, 1901: "’The Honourable Henry St Leger Jervis, Captain, King's Royal Rifle Corps. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

The Hon. St Leger Henry Jervis was born on 7 September 1863, at Godmersham Park, Canterbury, Kent, fifth son of the 3rd Viscount St Vincent and Lucy, daughter of Baskervyle Glegg, of Withington Hall, Chester. He was commissioned in the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 6 May 1885, and became Captain in 1893. He served in South Africa, 1899-1902, on the Staff, as A.D.C. to Major General Arthur Fitzroy Hart, 5th Infantry Brigade, to 15 December 1899, and 9 July to 17 November 1900; Brigade Major 18 November 1900 to 7 November 1901; D.A.A.G. from 8 November 1901. He was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso (severely wounded). He was twice mentioned in Despatches, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa and presented there. He was promoted to Major 21 February 1903; was made D.A.A.G., South Africa, 1901-4; retired from the King's Royal Rifle Corps, 12 October 1904. On the outbreak of the war he became Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment. He married, in 1905, Hilda Maud, daughter of Thomas Collin, and they had two daughters.

His elder brother, the 4th Viscount St Vincent (b. 1850) died of wounds received at the battle of Abu Klea whilst serving with the 16th Lancers. At Colenso his Brigade Commander, Major-General Arthur Fitzroy Hart, was known as “General No-Bobs” because he never ducked when shells passed overhead, and he deliberately exposed himself to rifle fire.