Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant W. J. Balfour, 20th Hussars

1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. W. J. Balfour. 20/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. J. Balfour.) extremely fine (3) £100-£140

William John Balfour was born in July 1894, and was the third son of John Balfour, 7th Laird of Trenabie (Orkney), of Moor Hall, Harlow, Essex. He was educated at Charterhouse, and commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 13th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry and the 20th Hussars, 1 October 1914. Balfour served during the Great War with the Regiment in the French theatre of war from 7 July 1915, and was a Platoon Commander with A Squadron in January 1916.

Balfour retired in 1921, and the following year married Leslie Violet Lucy Evelyn Mary Wood, the granddaughter of Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G. She and Balfour divorced in 1939, and she went on to serve as the Chief Controller of the A.T.S. during the Second War. Having remarried, she became Dame Whateley and was employed as the World Director of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, 1951-64.

Sold with a photographic image of Dame Whateley in uniform, standing next to the late Queen Mother.