Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.M.G. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel H. T. Cantan, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was killed in action in the front line at Arras on 16 April 1916

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with short section of neck riband for display purposes; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt. H. T. Cantan. 2/ D. of C.L.I.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 Cpt. H. T. Cantan. D. of C.L.I.) engraved naming; 1914 Star (Major. H. T. Cantan. D. of Corn: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. H. T. Cantan.); together the related miniature Boer War pair, these mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to the central medallions of the CMG and light contact marks to the Boer War pair, otherwise good very fine and better (6) £2,400-£2,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The David Laban Collection of Great War Awards.

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C.M.G. London Gazette: 23 June 1915.

M.I.D. London Gazettes 22 June 1915 and 15 June 1916.

Henry Thomas Cantan was born in Kent in 1867 and served in the ranks of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, rising to the rank of Colour Sergeant, prior to being commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 18 May 1892. He served as Captain in South Africa during the Boer War, on duty under the Military Governor of Pretoria, and afterwards served commanding a section of 4th Mounted Infantry, where he was present at the Relief of Kimberley and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Paardeberg and Driefontein. The medal roll for the Q.S.A. additionally notes that he also served attached to the South African Constabulary from December 1900 to August 1902. He was taken Prisoner of War on 31 March 1900 at Koornspruit, and was released at Waterval on 6 June 1900. In 1902 he was appointed Superintendent of Gymnasia at the Curragh.

Cantan served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 November 1914, and was promoted temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 December 1914, being confirmed in that rank on 1 March 1916. He was killed in action when in command of his battalion, in the front line at Arras, on 16 April 1916, and is buried at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, France.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.