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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 438

(x) Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A Great War C.M.G., Order of St Avis group of six awarded to (Acting) Brigadier-General F. G. L. Lamotte, War Office, late Oxfordshire Light Infantry

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Commander's neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Major F. G. L. Lamotte. Oxford. L. I.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Major F. G. L. Lamotte. Oxford. L. I.); British War and Victory Medals (Brig. Gen. F. G. L. Lamotte); Portugal, Order of St Avis, Officer's breast Badge with Crown, silver-gilt and enamel, the campaign awards mounted as worn, very fine (6)

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Frank Grimshaw Lagier Lamotte was born in November 1864, the son of Reverend F. J. Lamotte and was educated at Winchester (1878-80) and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Lamotte was commissioned Lieutenant with the Oxfordshire Light Infantry on 25 August 1883 and married Amelia Peel, a daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel E. Y. Peel in 1889. Promoted Captain on 18 June 1892 he was appointed Adjutant on 1 January 1894, and by the outbreak of the Boer War was a Major.

Joining the Battalion in South Africa, Lamotte was with them during the heavy fighting before the Battle of Paardeberg when the Oxfordshire Light Infantry faced heavy fighting with General Cronje's rear-guard. During the battle itself they were again heavily engaged, with Lamotte also being present for the rout at Poplar's Grove and subsequent Battle of Driefontein. During the guerrilla phase of the war he was employed in General Knox's Column for operations in the Orange River Colony between May-November 1900. Notably this formation was engaged in a battle with a Boer Commando outside Bothaville early in November 1900. They later moved to the Orange River Colony were Lamotte was employed from December 1900-May 1902.

Returning to Britain after the war he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 23 October 1907 and assumed command of the 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry. Tragically his wife died the next year, although he was married again to Norah Orr in 1910.

Having completed his period in Battalion command, Lamotte was placed on the half-pay list on 23 October 1911. He then served as commander of the Devon and Cornwall (Territorial Force) Brigade, 1912-13.

Upon the outbreak of the Great War, Lamotte was made Brigadier-General on 20 August 1914. In this role he commanded a sector of the Coastal Defences from 1914-1916. Posted to the Reserve of Officers he is noted as receiving a 'mention' on 12 February 1918. Lamotte, a member of the Army and Navy Club, died on 29 September 1938; sold together with a copied Death Register relating to the recipient's mother which notes his presence at the Time of Death on 6 July 1914 and two fine wooden display cases.

For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 515. For the Medals of his brother, please see Lot 439. For the Medals of his father-in-law, please see Lot 180.

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

Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£900