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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 573

(x) A most unusual Great War civil M.B.E. group of five awarded to H. A. Harrington, the Director of Posts at Alexandria, formerly of the King's Royal Rifle Corps

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.), Civil Division, member's 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1920; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Tel-el-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85 (2288 Lce. Cpl. H. Harrington, 3/K.R. Rif. C.); Turkey, Order of Medjidie, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; Egypt, Order of the Nile, Officer's breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; Khedive's Star 1882, slight enamel damage to the Nile badge, otherwise generally good very fine (5)



M.B.E. London Gazette 30 March 1920:

'For services in connection with the War.'

Henry Augustus Harrington was born at the rifle depot, Winchester on 3 April 1864, where his father was serving as a Colour-Sergeant in 3/60th Royal Rifles. Like father like son, young Henry enlisted in his father's regiment as a boy recruit in February 1879 and, as per regimental musters, 'Lad W. H. Harrington' was embarked for South Africa in February 1880.

At the onset of the First Anglo-Boer War, it is likely young Henry was kept back at the battalion's base at Newcastle. But in December 1881, he gained his laurels on being appointed to the Mounted Infantry of 3/60th Royal Rifles; the regiment was retitled the King's Royal Rifle Corps in the same year.

Embarked for Alexandria in July 1882, he was present in the actions at Magfar and Kassassin, and at battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal & clasp; Khedive's Star). Promoted to Lance-Corporal in April 1883, Harrington was next detailed to serve as Postmaster for the Army of Occupation at Cairo, and he remained similarly employed until June 1884; he was detached for duty in the South Staffordshire and Essex Regiments in the same period. During the Nile operations he was detached for duty on the staff as Postmaster at Dongola (clasp).

Harrington obviously enjoyed his new duties for, in January 1886, he purchased his discharge and accepted an offer made by the Egyptian authorities for a position in their postal service. And there he remained happily employed for many years, rising to the office of Local Director of Posts at Alexandria.

During the Great War he showed 'a general interest in the welfare of British troops' and undertook canteen work. He was awarded the M.B.E. and appointed an Officer of the Egyptian Order of the Nile (London Gazette 29 December 1916, refers); his Order of Medjidie was likely awarded in the same period; above details courtesy of the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester.


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Sold for
£1,900