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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 601

The mounted G.C.B., K.B.E., C.M.G. group of thirteen miniature dress medals worn by Air Chief Marshal Sir J. M. Steel, Royal Air Force, late Royal Navy

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Knight Grand Cross (G.C.B.) Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Military Division, Knight Commander's (K.B.E.) Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Orange Free State, Rel. of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek, South Africa 1902; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Gambia; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. Oak Leaves; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Stanislas, Military Division, Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, minor enamel damage to motto on C.M.G., contact marks to QSA, generally very fine, mounted as worn with post-1937 riband for the K.B.E., and housed in a Spink, London, case (13)

G.C.B. London Gazette 11 May 1937.

K.C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1935.

C.B. London Gazette 3 June 1922.

K.B.E. London Gazette 3 July 1926.

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

C.M.G. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

John Miles Steel was born in 1877, the son of Colonel J.P. Steel, Royal Engineers and was educated at H.M.S. Britannia as a Naval Cadet in 1892. Commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in 1897 Steel served during the Second Boer War with the Naval Brigade, and took part in the Relief of Ladysmith and subsequent operations (wounded at Elandslaagte). Latterly serving in the Gambia River Expedition (Mentioned in Despatches) he was promoted Commander in 1912 and served during the Great War in the Grand Fleet, and present at the Battle of Jutland, as Second-in-Command of Conqueror (Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 15 September 1916 and awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislas).

Promoted Captain in 1916 he was appointed to the Royal Naval Air Service and served as Director of Air Division, Admiralty, 1918. Transferred to the Royal Air Force, as Air Commodore, 1919, he served as Member of the Air Council and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Ministry, 1923-26. Promoted Air Vice Marshal, 1925, he served as Air Officer Commanding Wessex Bombing Area, 1926-31 and Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force in India, 1931-35. Promoted Air Marshal, 1932, he was appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Defence of Great Britain, 1935. He was made Air Chief Marshal, 1936 and retired in 1937. Steel served during the Second World War as Air Officer Commanding Reserve Command, 1939-40, and as Controller-General of Economy, Air Ministry, 1941-45.

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Sold for
£580

Starting price
£240