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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 387

(x) The mounted group of eight miniature dress medals worn by Captain Sir John Leche, K.C.M.G., O.B.E., Ambassador to Chile, late 12th Lancers

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Knight Commander's (K.C.M.G.) badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.), Military Division, Officer's 1st type badge, silver-gilt; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Knight's badge, silver and enamel, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (8)


PROVENANCE:
Spink, April, 2009, when sold alongside the recipient's full-size awards.

John Hurleston Leche was born in Cheshire in 1889, son of John Hurleston Leche of Carden Park, Chester. Educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 12th Lancers in 1910. He served in the Great War as a G.S.O. 3 (Intelligence) on the Western Front from 17 August 1914 and was awarded the O.B.E. and twice mentioned in despatches.

Entering the Diplomatic Service in 1919, he was awarded the Belgium Order of the Crown, 5th Class in January 1921, but served mainly in Latin American postings during a long and distinguished career, among them his appointment as Minister and Consul-General to Central America in 1939-45: 'He was very popular … with headquarters in Guatemala. Here in his last year he gave sanctuary to deposed President of Guatemala, General Ubico, and his wife until they could be smuggled out of the country to New Orleans, and by this humanitarian act no doubt saved the fallen dictator's life' (his Times obituary, refers). Ambassador to Chile from 1945-49, for which services he was appointed K.C.M.G., he retired from the Diplomatic Service in 1950 and died in May 1960.


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Sold for
£300