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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 248

(x) A rare Burma 1886-87 operations gold D.S.O. pair awarded to Colonel F. Glanville, Royal Engineers, who was severely wounded at Zibingale 'whilst his Sappers & Miners were assaulting some stockades overlooking the defile'

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., gold and enamel; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (Lieutt. F. Glanville, R.E.), this with minor official correction to rank and clasp sprung on left hand side, the D.S.O. with enamel damage to obverse and reverse wreaths, otherwise generally very fine (2)

D.S.O. London Gazette 25 November 1887:

'For services in Burma.'

Francis Glanville was born on 16 May 1862, the son of Major-General F. R. Glanville, R.A., of Catchpench, Cornwall. Commissioned in the Royal Engineers in July 1881, young Francis was actively employed in the Burma operations of 1886-87. According to Colonel Sandes's history of the Indian Sappers & Miners, he was given command of a Telegraph section and was severely wounded at Zibingale, whilst his Sappers & Miners were assaulting some stockades overlooking the defile. He was awarded the D.S.O. and mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 2 September 1887, refers).

Glanville saw no further active service but gained steady advancement, being promoted to Captain in May 1890, Major in June 1899 and Colonel in May 1911; likewise he was given the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in May 1909. His final appointment was as C.O. of the Bareilly Brigade in India in early 1916 and he was placed on the Retired List in May 1919, when he was granted the honorary rank of Brigadier-General. He died at Lingfield, Surrey in August 1938.

References:

Craigh, Sir O'Moore, V.C., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., and Humphris, E. M., The V.C. & D.S.O. (The Standard Art Book Co. Ltd., London, 1924).
Sandes, Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. C., The Indian Sapper & Miners (The Institution of Royal Engineers, London, 1948).
Who was Who 1929-1940 (Adam & Charles Black Ltd., London, 1941).


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Sold for
£2,500