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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 563

The Great War C.B.E., K.St.J. group of ten awarded to Colonel C. E. W. Duncombe, British Red Cross Searcher's Unit, late Yorkshire Hussars, whom Duncombe served with during the Boer War and eventually Commanded from 1908-12

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Civil Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its fitted Garrard & Co. case of issue, with full neck riband; The Most Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace's set of Insignia, comprising neck Badge, silver and enamel; Star, silver and enamel, reverse with maker's initials 'JBC', in case of issue, this lacking pad; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lieut. W. E. Duncombe. 9/Co. 3/Imp. Yeo.); 1914 Star (Col: C. W. E. Duncombe. B.R.C.S. & O.St.J.J.); British War and Victory Medals (Col. C. W. E. Duncombe.); 1911 Coronation; 1935 Jubilee; 1937 Coronation; Officer's Territorial Decoration, E.VII.R., silver, silver-gilt and enamel (hallmarks for London 1908), mounted as worn, top riband bar on this last adapted for mounting, good very fine, housed in a Spink & Son leather case (10)

C.B.E. London Gazette 7 January 1918:

'County Director, West Yorkshire, British Red Cross and Order of St John of Jerusalem.'

Knight of Grace London Gazette 27 November 1917.

Charles William Ernest Duncombe was born at Nawton, Yorkshire on 15 March 1862. The Duncombe family, along with their relatives, who including the Earl of Feversham, were very involved with the Yorkshire Hussars. Young Duncombe was commissioned into the unit and volunteered for service in South Africa with the 9th Company, Imperial Yeomanry on 27 January 1900. He was promoted to Captain, but was later invalided home on 1 March 1901.

Duncombe remained with the unit and was Lieutenant-Colonel (Commanding) in 1908, before being made Honorary Colonel of the Regiment from 1908-12 when the Yorkshire Hussars were part of the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. He was also a Justice of the Peace in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

Upon the outbreak of the Great War, he served in France with the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem Searcher's Unit in France from 9 October 1914. He latterly went out to Egypt with the Enquiries Unit. He duly added the C.B.E. and was made a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John for his troubles. His Medals were issued to him at 83 Pall Mall (1914 Star - January 1918) and 27 Norfolk Crescent (Campaign Pair - March 1922). A prominent member of Yorkshire society, he lived at Rievaulx, Helmsley, edited Ryedale and was a member of the Cavalry Club and the Yorkshire Club. The Colonel died on 8 May 1945.

For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 703.

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Sold for
£2,300

Starting price
£550