An outstanding Collection of Awards relating to the Order of St John

The G.C.V.O., C.B., C.I.E., O. St. J. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Malcolm Murray, Seaforth Highlanders, Comptroller of the Household of the Duke of Connaught

The Royal Victorian Order, G.C.V.O., Knight Grand Cross set of insignia, sash badge, silver-gilt and enamel; breast star, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with gold pin, both pieces officially numbered, ‘589’, with evening sash, in Collingwood, London case of issue, numbered, ‘G 589’; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s neck badge conversion from a breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1902; The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E. Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamel; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s breast badge, silver base metal and enamel, some enamel damage; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Witterbergen (Capt., M. D. Murray Sea. Highrs.); 1914 Star (Major, C.V.O., C.B.); British War and Victory Medals (Bt. Lt. Col. Sir M. D. Murray); Coronation 1911, silver; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these unnamed, medals mounted for display, very fine and better (12) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An outstanding Collection of Awards relating to the Order of St John.

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Malcolm “Mackie” Donald Murray was born on 9 July 1867, the son of Brigadier-General A. Murray and the great grandson of the 4th Earl of Dunmore. He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders on 29 February 1888 and was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1889, Captain in February 1895, Major in October 1903 and retired from the Army on 7 September 1907. In India he served in the Hazara Expedition of 1888 and was mentioned in despatches. He served with the 2nd Battalion of his regiment in South Africa, 1899-1900, serving in operations in the Orange Free State, March-May 1900; operations in the Orange River Colony, May-November 1900, including actions at Witterbergen and at Witpoort; also operations in Cape Colony, 1900, including the action at Ruidan. He was invalided home from South Africa. Appointed A.D.C. to Major-General R. B. Lane, C.B., G.O.C. Malta, 1901-02; A.D.C. & Extra Equerry to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, 1902-07. Having retired from the Army he became the Comptroller of the Household of H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, an office he held from 1907 until his death. In 1905 he was awarded the M.V.O. 4th Class and was advanced to C.V.O, in 1909. In 1911 he was awarded the C.B. (London Gazette 19 June 1911). Murray was recalled to military service in 1914. As a Major with the King’s Messenger Service, G.H.O., he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war in September 1914 and later served as a G.S.O.3. For his wartime services he was awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel; in 1916 he was created a K.C.V.O. For the services rendered in connection with the Duke of Connaught’s visit to India in 1921, he was awarded the C.I.E. (London Gazette 30 March 1921). He accompanied H.R.H. The Prince of Wales when the latter presented new Colours to the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders at Dover in 1935. In 1936, for his services as Comptroller and Equerry to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught he was advanced to G.C.V.O. (London Gazette 23 June 1936). Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Malcolm Murray tragically died in a boating accident on 2 August 1938, aged 71 years. He was sailing on Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, when he got into difficulties, overbalanced, hit his head as he fell and subsequently drowned.

With a folder containing copied research; also with an original photograph of the recipient in uniform.