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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 388

(x) The mounted group of ten miniature dress medals worn by Brigadier H. St. G. 'The Count' Schomberg, C.B.E., D.S.O., East Surrey Regiment, a gallant Battalion C.O. who was twice wounded in 1914

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (C.B.E.), Military Division, Commander’s 2nd type badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver, mounted as worn, good very fine (10)

PROVENANCE:
Sotheby's, May 1989, Lot 439, when sold alongside the recipient's full-size awards.

Harold St. George Schomberg, fondly known as 'The Count' to his friends, was born in August 1886, son of Lieutenant-General Herbert St. George Schomberg, Royal Marines. Educated at Kelly College, Tavistock, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment in July and promoted Lieutenant in January 1910. He served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 and was dangerously wounded on 24 September near the Aisne, his diary entry taking up the story:

'I suddenly felt as if I had had a hard blow on the side of the head. I reeled back and felt the blood streaming down my face and a slight stunning feeling but otherwise not bad … I had been hit by a bullet on the top of my ear and the side of my head … I also had two fingers hit.'

Re-joining his battalion on 30 October 1914, he was again wounded before being promoted Captain on 15 November 1914. An Acting Major from 3 August 1916, he remained in France until transferring to the 1/4th Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Italy and latterly served as C.O. of 1/6th Gloucestershire Regiment. He was awarded the D.S.O. in June 1918, received four 'mentions' (London Gazettes 18 December 1917, 30 May 1918, 6 January and 5 June 1919, refer) and the Italian Al Valore Militare (London Gazette 29 November 1918, refers).

Post-war, Schomberg commanded the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment in India from December 1931 and was promoted Brigadier in November 1937. Having then been placed on the Retired List, he returned to command Shorncliffe Garrison and 222nd Infantry Brigade, being made C.B.E. (London Gazette 15 December 1944, refers). He died at home in Seend, Wiltshire on 11 July 1954; sold with copied MIC and research.


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Sold for
£180