Auction Catalogue

2 April 2003

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 948

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2 April 2003

Hammer Price:
£630

The mounted group of eight miniature dress medals attributed to Major-General R. G. Kekewich, East Kent and Loyal North Lancashire Regiments, who Commanded at the Defence of Kimberley, Order of the Bath, Military Division, gold and enamel, straight bar suspension, with gold buckle on ribbon; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Perak; Egypt, undated, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Gemaizah 1888; Queen’s South Africa, 3 clasps, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal; King’s South Africa, 2 clasps; Denmark, Order of the Dannebrog, Frederik VIII, gold and enamel; Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, 4th Class, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, mounted Court style as worn, extremely fine (8) £250-300

Robert George Kekewich was born in 1854, the 2nd son of Trehawke Kekewich of Peamore, Devon. Educated at Marlborough, he entered the Army in 1874 as a Lieutenant in the Buffs. With them he served in the Perak Expedition, 1875-76; promoted Captain in 1883, he served in the Nile Expedition, 1884-85 and was mentioned in despatches and received the brevet of Major. As Brigade Major he was present at Gemaizah 1888, was awarded the Order of Medjidie 4th Class and again mentioned in despatches. He then served in Burma in the Chin Hills, 1892-93 and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1896 and Colonel in 1900. In the Second Boer War he commanded in Griqualand West and Bechuanaland and was officer commanding at the defence of Kimberley,15.10.1899 - 16.2.1900. He then commanded the 1st battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment to December 1900, commanded a Mobile Column in December 1900 / January 1901, July 1901 to January 1902 and then commanded a group of Mobile Columns from February 1902 until the end of hostilities. Severely wounded during the war, he was three times mentioned in despatches, created a C.B. and promoted to the rank of Major-General. He became the Colonel of the Buffs in 1909 and died in 1914.