Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 539

An interesting K.St.J. group of four awarded to Major P. G. Shewell, Indian Staff Corps, late Hampshire Regiment and Chief Superintendent, Cheltenham St. John Ambulance Brigade Corps

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver and enamel; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (Lieutt. P. G. Shewell 2d Bn. Hamps. Regt.); India General Service 1895-1908, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Bt. Major P. G. Shewell Mily. Accts. Dept.); Coronation 1911, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Ch. Supt. P. G. Shewell.), the neck Badge with repairs to suspension, nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine (5)

Order of St John, Knight of Grace London Gazette 4 March 1912.

Percy Garratt Shewell was born on 14 May 1864 and was educated at Cheltenham College, thence entering the Militia, before being appointed a Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment on 25 November 1885. He saw active service with the 2nd Battalion he served in the Burma Expedition of 1885-87, before transferring to the Bengal Staff Corps in 1889. Promoted Captain on 25 November 1896, he served on the North West Frontier of India under Sir William Lockhart, 1897-98, as Field Paymaster Tirah Expeditionary Force, being at the capture of the Passes at Sampagha and Arhanga, for which he was 'mentioned' in despatches and awarded a Brevet Majority. Shewell was promoted to Major on 20 May 1898. He was latterly ranked as a Military Accountant 3rd Class in the Indian Staff Corps.

Retired in 1902, Shewell returned to his native Cheltenham and married. He thence took a greater interest in local political and social life, being made a Magistrate in 1903 and being elected to the County Council in 1909. At the time of the Coronation of 1911, he was a Chief Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, which he was made a Knight of Grace in early 1912, a year in which he was forced to retire from the Corps due to his ill-health. His efforts to support the Cheltenham Corps were remarkable, donating his own personal funds, made his grounds available to them and donated trophies and shields. A keen member of the Conservative Association and one of the first Directors of Cheltenham Racecourse, Shewell was also a fanatic about Irish Wolfhounds and was a Vice-President at Cruft's in 1915. He died on 21 October 1915 at Barnes, London; sold together with copied research which includes images of the recipient.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,000

Starting price
£700