Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Attributed to Major R. A. Lake, 7th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Colonial Office enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Major R. A. Lake, c/o W. Lake Esq., South Park, Witheridge’, extremely fine (4) £60-£80

Richard Arthur Lake was born on 7 April 1917, the son of William Lake Esq., and was educated at Cambridge University. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 7th Gurkha Rifles on 1 November 1942, and was promoted Lieutenant on 15 May 1943, Temporary Captain on 4 June 1943, and Acting Major on 27 June 1945. The 1946 Indian Army Lists show Lake as having served as an Intelligence Officer of a Force.

Following the cessation of hostilities Lake embarked for Colonial Service in Kenya, and served (amongst other appointments) as Senior Education Officer, Nairobi Region, from April 1951; Under Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary, from August 1961; Deputy Secretary (Service), The Governor’s Office, Nairobi, from May 1962; and Assistant Director of Personnel from March 1963. He died in September 1986.