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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 437

(x) A very fine Great War C.B., C.M.G., Boer War D.S.O. group of nine awarded to Brigadier-General W. P. E. Newbigging, Manchester Regiment, who served as Adjutant of the 1st Battalion during the Boer War and was severely wounded at the Battle of Elandslaagte, on which occasion he led the charge; he proceeded to France in August 1914 and ended the Great War as Signalling Officer-in-Chief; the Brigadier-General was 'mentioned' on no less than eight occasions during his remarkable career

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its case of issue; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its case of issue; Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Capt. & Adjt: W. P. E. Newbigging. D.S.O, Manch: R.), one rivet repaired between fourth and fifth clasps; King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Cpt. W. P. E. Newbigging. D.S.O. Manc. Rgt.); 1914 Star, clasp (Major W. P. E. Newbigging. D.S.O. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Col. W. P. E. Newbigging.); France, Republic, Croix de Guerre, with Palme upon riband, reverse dated '1914-1916', mounted as worn, the QSA detached, good very fine (9)

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1917.

D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 5 November 1920.

William Patrick Eric Newbigging - or 'Biggings' to his friends and comrades - was born in Bengal, India on 31 May 1871, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Newbigging, Manchester Regiment, of 124 Lexham Gardens, London. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment on 23 March 1892 and was made Lieutenant on 28 July 1895. He was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Battalion from 2 November 1898-1 November 1902, becoming Captain on 18 March 1899.

Newbigging shared in the actions of the Boer War and was present at the operations in Natal during 1899, including being at the Battle of Elandslaagte, on which occasion he was severely wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder. He was employed with Mounted Infantry, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including operations on Tugela Heights (14-27 February 1900). Newbigging was also in the action at Pieter's Hill and was present for the operations in Natal, March-June 1900, in the Transvaal during 1902. For his part in the Boer War, he was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette, 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902, refer), received the Queen's Medal & 5 clasps, King's Medal & 2 clasps besides being made a D.S.O., which was invested by The King on 18 December 1902. He was also the co-author of Rough Diary of the Doings of the 1st Battn. Manchester Regt. During the South African War 1899-1902.

Made Adjutant of the Volunteers, 15 December 1902-31 July 1908, he was promoted Major on 22 April 1911. He was made an Instructor at the School of Signalling, 3 July 1912-4 August 1914 and with the outbreak of the Great War proceeded to France on 25 August 1914. During that conflict he was Deputy Director of Army Signalling, British Armies in France, 6 February 191-15 May 1918, Chief Signalling Officer, British Armies in France, 16 May 1918-8 April 1919 and finally Signalling Officer-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, 9 April 1919. Unsurprisingly he further gilded his laurels during the Great War, adding the C.B., C.M.G., French Croix de Guerre, besides being 'mentioned' on no less than six occasions (London Gazette 9 December 1914, 7 February 1915, 1 January 1916, 9 April & 11 December 1917, 20 December 1918, refers).

Appointed Commandant of the Signals Training Centre, Catterick in 1922; was made Brigadier-General, and died in 1940.

For his miniature dress Medals please see Lot 514. For the Medals of his father, please see Lot 211.

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

Sold for
£5,200

Starting price
£2500