Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 398

(x) The mounted group of nine miniature dress medals worn by Brigadier Sir Basil Schonland, C.B.E., South African Special Signals Service and South African 'Scientist of the 20th Century'

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.), Military Division, Officer's 1st type badge; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, very fine (9)



Basil Ferdinand Jamieson Schonland was born in February 1896 at Grahamstown, South Africa, son of Professor Selmar Schonland, himself a noted botanist and founder of Rhodes University. Basil was educated at St. Andrew's College, Rhodes University and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

During the Great War he served with the Signal Service, Royal Engineers in France, rising to the rank of Captain. He was wounded at Arras, being awarded the O.B.E. and twice mentioned in the despatches (London Gazettes 3 June and 7 July 1919, refer).

Returning to Cambridge and resuming his scientific career as a research student at the Cavendish Laboratory, he excelled with studies in lightning. Back in South Africa in 1922, he took up the post of lecturer and later Professor of Physics at the University of Cape Town.

With the commencement of hostilities in 1939, Schonland rose to the rank of Brigadier with the South African Special Signals service and, by war's end was serving as Scientific Advisor directly to Field Marshal Montgomery. He was appointed C.B.E. (London Gazette 1 December 1944, refers).

Once again returning home, this time at the express insistence of General Smuts, he founded the South African Scientific Research Council in 1945, becoming the first Chancellor of Rhodes University in 1951, together with a directorship of the Atomic Energy Reserch Centre, Oxfordshire. Widely published, Knighted in 1960 and scientifically decorated, Schonland retired to The Down House, Shawford, Winchester. He died in November 1972 and appeared on a South African 45 cent stamp; sold with copied research


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£180