Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 159

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The scarce Order of Merit of Nawanagar State pair awarded to Captain R. C. Thomas, Royal Army Medical Corps, later Chief Medical Officer to Nawanagar State

British Red Cross War Service Medal; India, Princely States, Nawanagar State Order of Merit, First Class Medal, frosted gold (15 carat) with 'FIRST CLASS' clasp, hallmarks to reverse, good very fine (2)

Rufus Clifford Thomas was born at Llantwit Vale, near Pontypridd, in June 1889 and was educated at Christ College, Brecon, University College, Cardiff and the Westminster Hospital. After qualifying MRCS and LRCP in 1915, he would serve with the Royal Army Medical Corps on the Western Front (British War and Victory Medals issued in September 1927).

During 1927, he was appointed Chief Medical Officer to Nawanagar State, which was ruled by the famous cricketer Maharajah Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Ranjit Sinjhi. The relationship was clearly a good one, for Thomas was afforded a 'company car' whilst in post - nothing less than a Rolls Royce.

The Order of Merit was instituted during the Great War and conferred sparingly in three Classes; sold together with an original photograph of the recipient by J. Williams, Newport. An article on this group featured in Issue 44, Winter 2022 edition of the Insider magazine, by Spink.

For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 491.

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

Sold for
£2,600

Starting price
£420