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Auction: 17002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 445

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The miniature dress medals and belt plate worn by Major S. B. B. Dyer, D.S.O., 2nd Life Guards

Distinguished Service Order, gold, riband and upper and lower bars only, the cross lacking; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1900; Africa General Service 1902-56, 3 clasps, N. Nigeria 1902, N. Nigeria 1903, N. Nigeria 1904, mounted as worn, together with the recipient's Life Guards Officer's belt plate, very fine (4)

D.S.O. London Gazette 11 September 1903.

Stewart Barton Bythesea Dyer was born at Westcroft Park, Surrey in November 1875, grandson of Sir Swinnerton Dyer, 9th Baronet. Privately educated, he attended Balliol College, Oxford, and was commissioned in the 2nd Life Guards in 1899. Seconded to the West African Frontier Force, he served on the Kaduna Expedition, and was present at Lemo, in the Kaje Hills and during the occupation of Zaria (Medal & clasp). Later serving with distinction in the column to Lake Chad, he zealously rode through the night with a detachment of nine men to capture the rebel Chief, Mallum Jibrella. He next served as Commanding Officer of the Dakakari Expedition in 1904, and received the thanks of Colonel Sir Frederick Lugard for his work (Medal & 3 clasps). Retiring in 1910, Dyer took up the position of Military Attaché, British Embassy, Madrid during 1915, but died on 26 January 1917. Besides soldiering, he was a more than proficient sportsman: he was selected to play polo for the King of Spain during 1916, won international fencing competitions and had played football for the War Office. In addition, he enjoyed shooting and hunting, donating 'a fine set of big game heads to the Cavalry Club' and riding with the Bicester and Garth Hunts.

For the recipient's son's awards, please see Lot 227.

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Sold for
£350