Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (Lieutenant Austin C. Girdwood, 1st Battn. Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Sept. 1898), engraved naming, good very fine £150-200

Austin Claude Girdwood was born on 24 April 1875 at Binstead, Isle of Wight. He was commissioned into the Northumberland Fusiliers on 6 June 1896 and was promoted Lieutenant in April 1898 and Captain in July 1900. He served in the Sudan campaign and was present at the battle of Omdurman (Queen’s medal and Khedive’s medal with clasp). In the Boer War he saw action at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River, Magersfontein, Venterskroon and Rhenoster River and was severely wounded near Kleinfontein, 24 October 1901. For his services he received the D.S.O. (London Gazette 27 September 1901), was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901 & 29 July 1902) and received the Queen’s medal with four clasps and the King’s medal with two. He next served in the Mohmand Expedition of 1908. He served throughout the Great War in France/Flanders, being promoted Major in September 1915; appointed Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel commanding a Service Battalion of the Border Regiment, 16 July-20 August 1917 and Temporary Brigadier-General from 21 August 1917, commanding the 96th Infantry Brigade. For his services he was given the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1918, received the Belgian Croix de Guerre, was created a C.M.G. in 1919, was awarded a bar to the D.S.O. and six times mentioned in despatches.