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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 964

Family group

An unusual 'late issue' M.S.M. group of four awarded to Staff Sergeant-Major J. C. Bowie, Royal Army Service Corps, who survived the Great War and was awarded his M.S.M. after the Second World War on the basis of a recommendation 50-years old

British War and Victory Medals (T-16002 W.O. Cl.1. J. Bowie. A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (T/16002 S.S.Mjr. J. C. Bowie. R.A.S.C.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (233 W.O. Cl.1. J. Bowie. R.A.S.C.), the first three mounted as worn, the last in its named box of issue, good very fine (4)

Five: W.O. Cl.2. D. C. Bowie. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., Regular Army, G.VI.R. (758402 W.O. Cl. 2. D.C. Bowie. R.E.M.E.), mounted as worn, good very fine (5)

James C. Bowie was born at Peckham and joined the Army Service Corps in 1900, with this unit he served in Hong Kong, Egypt and Salonika. Here he was twice 'mentioned' and after the Great War posted to Gibraltar. Discharged there with the rank of Staff Sergeant-Major he took up employment with an oil company. retiring in 1944 Bowie was not long afterwards awarded the M.S.M., this based upon a recommendation he received while still in service; sold together with a riband bar- including a 1914 Star riband, a newspaper cutting relating to the award of the L.S. & G.C. and a copy of a letter charting the ancestry of the Bowie family- specifically their descent for Lords Gordon and Grey.

Douglas Camb Bowie enlisted at Hilsea Barracks on 1 September 1930 with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Training as an Armourer he served in this role until appointed Armourer Lance Corporal on 29 July 1937, the year before he joined 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards for service in Aldershot.

On the outbreak of war Bowie was posted to Gibraltar where he served at Jumpers Bastion. Returning to Britain in 1942 he joined the R.E.M.E. was posted to the 23rd Hussars, entering the war in France with them on 27 June 1944 via Juno Beach. Promoted Staff Sergeant he remained on the continent for the rest of the war and after as part of the British Army of Occupation on the Rhine. Further advanced W.O.II. on 19 March 1953 a Woolwich Bowie was still in service in 1958; sold together with a record of service particulars, original Warrant in its O.H.M.S. tube, a copied photograph as well as a matching set of dress miniatures, hip flask and silver cigarette case along with a number of badges and a Churchill memorial medal.

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Sold for
£210

Starting price
£100