The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

The Boer War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Captain E. G. Concanon, 16th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteers and City of London Imperial Volunteers, later Lieutenant-Colonel, who commanded the 18th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) during the Great War

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, obverse centre slightly depressed; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 7 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Belfast (Capt. E. G. Concanon. C.I.V.); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. E. G. Concanon. D.S.O. 18/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. E. G. Concanon); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1912, with integral top riband bar, mounted court-style as worn, and housed in a Spink & Son leather case, nearly extremely fine (6) £2,400-£2,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901:
‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

Edmond George Concanon (also spelt Concannon) was born at his grandfather’s house on Old Broad Street in the City of London on 24 June 1875, the son of James Blake Concanon of County Galway and Bertha Beckford Syvet. A stockbroker by profession, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 16th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteers on 25 March 1893 and advanced to Captain on 3 June 1896, serving as Honorary Lieutenant in the Army in South Africa during the Boer War with No. 2 Company, Mounted Infantry, City Imperial Volunteers.

Concanon is frequently mentioned in ‘The Record of the Mounted Infantry of the City Imperial Volunteers’ by Guillem Scott and McDonnell, particularly with regard to the fighting around Dulstoum on 4 September 1900. For his services in South Africa he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901) and awarded the D.S.O. On his return from South Africa he ‘was entertained on 5 November 1900 to a dinner at the Constitutional Club and presented with an inscribed piece of plate.’ (City Press 7 November 1900 refers).

Remaining a member of the Stock Exchange, in 1911 Concanon was a Major in the 18th Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles). He was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1913, and appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding the 18th London the same year, before becoming Officer Commanding 32nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (East Ham) in 1918. He died in 1959.

Sold together with the original Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., and a large portrait photograph of the recipient taken in later life.

For a Silver Cup presented to the recipient, see Lot 769.