A Collection of Medals to The South Wales Borderers

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Major J. A. Mellsop, South Wales Borderers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Order of St. John, Serving Brother, silver and enamel, unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut., S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Q.M. & Capt.) B.W.M. suspension rod slack; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3876 C. Sjt.,S.W. Bord.) good very fine (6) £360-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to The South Wales Borderers.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 3 March 1919.

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916 & 30 April 1919.

John Arthur Mellsop, South Wales Borderers, previously Quartermaster with the 3rd Battalion, was appointed Lieutenant & Quartermaster of the 4th Battalion on 28 August 1914. With the 4th Battalion he served in Gallipoli, arriving there in July 1915. Later served in Mesopotamia, for which service he was awarded the O.B.E. Promoted to Captain in August 1917 and Major in August 1929. Post-war he served with the 2nd Battalion at Aden and was responsible for the design and part execution of the regiment’s crest by the main road leading to the Crater commemorating the regiments two periods of service there, 1892-93 and 1927-29. Suffering from failing health, Major Mellsop died at Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, on 15 February 1931. He was buried in London with military honours on 20 February 1931.

With copied m.i.c., regimental history extracts and service notes; with copied photograph of the recipient and the ‘Aden Crest’.