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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 136

(x) A rare CO's India General Service Medal awarded to Major R. H. W. Owen, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who led his men in the assault of Spin Boldak

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Maj. R. H. W. Owen. W. Rid. R.), good very fine

Robert Henry Withington Owen was born on 20 December 1888, the son of Brigade Surgeon O. Owen of the Paragon Buildings, Cheltenham. Educated at Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Owen was appointed to a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the West Riding Regiment in 1908. Promoted Captain and later Major, Owen appears to have spent the entire duration of the Great War on Home Service before serving in Afghanistan in 1919. According to a typed letter from the Headquarters of The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, dated 20 June 1986:

'During his service with the 1st Battalion in Afghanistan in 1919 he commanded as a Major the main force of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment at the Assault on Fort Spin Baldack (sic), which although only a one day battle was successful.'

Owen continued to serve with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Regiment until 1933, spending his final years in India. A contemporary article from The Iron Duke adds a little more detail about this time:

'On the 24th Feb. we dined out Major R. H. W. Owen. Major Owen was a very old and highly esteemed friend of all of us and we were sorry that he was only just recovering from a bout of "Kamptee-itis" which prevented us from saying goodbye to him as we should have liked to.'

He died at Alton in Hampshire on 19 February 1965. Unusually, the probate registry adds a little more detail regarding this as well:

'Owen, Robert Henry Withington, of 2, St. Josephs Cottage, Froyle, Alton, Hampshire, who was last seen alive on 19 February 1965 and whose dead body was found on 20 February 1965. Probate £6509.'

Sold with copied research and a copied group photograph, the recipient identified.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£250

Starting price
£130