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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 191

(x) A 1938 C.B., Great War C.M.G. group of eight awarded to Major-General G. A. D. Harvey, Royal Army Medical Corps, who had the misfortune to be taken Prisoner-of-War with the British Expeditionary Force in 1940, but was repatriated in 1943 aged 61

Harvey was one of three brothers who all earned caps as Irish Rugby internationals and all served in the Great War. The youngest brother, Frederick Harvey, won the Victoria Cross in 1918 whilst serving in Lord Strathcona's Horse

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, Companion's (C.M.G.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. G. A. D. Harvey.) with M.I.D. oak leaves; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, good very fine (8)

C.B. London Gazette 9 June 1938.

C.M.G. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 27 July 1917.

George Alfred Duncan Harvey was born at Kentstown, County Meath, Ireland on 27 October 1882. Prior to qualifying he was educated at Portora Grammar School and later played rugby for Ireland five times as a centre between 1903-05, playing twice against England and Scotland and once against Wales. Harvey made his debut against England at Lansdowne Road on Valentine's Day 1903, when Ireland ran out 6-0 winners. His two brothers also earned Caps for the Ireland XV - one played in his debut - whilst his younger brother Frederick won the Victoria Cross in 1918.

Earning his L.R.C.P. at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin in 1904, that same year Harvey undertook a course with the Royal Army Medical Corps School of Instruction. Commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps on 30 July 1904 he was posted to the Straits Settlements for two years from 1905, and subsequently invalided. Advanced Captain on 30 January 1908 he was posted to Egypt and remained there until 1910.

Passing a final course the Royal Army Medical College in 1912 he was seconded to the Egyptian Army from 4 June 1914. On the outbreak of the Great War he was still there and indeed he was to pass the first few months of the war there, returning to Britain.

Harvey remained on Home Service for much of the conflict, being promoted Major on 1 July 1915 and marrying Gwendel Rothera in September 1916. He finally entered the war with a British Field Ambulance on 20 March 1918, being promoted Lieutenant-Colonel from 11 July-8 December during which time he acted as C.O. Further appointments followed after the War, with a posting at the War Office following it immediately between 1919-21. He was later to see regular service in Britain and Gibraltar throughout the 1920s.

Confirmed Lieutenant-Colonel on 22 October 1927 he saw service in India from 11 February 1930, stationed at the British Military Hospital in Meerut. Appointed Brevet Colonel in 1931 he was advanced Colonel on 13 February 1933, joining the Headquarters of the Waziristan District later that year in October.

After a brief return to the U.K. in 1935 Harvey was back in India being promoted Major-General by October 1935 where he was Deputy Director of Medical Services, Western Command. He served there from 1935, being appointed an Honorary Physician to the King while there in March 1937. He left India in 1938 before retiring on 28 March 1939.

He relinquished his rank in April when he re-joined with the rank of Colonel with effect from 20 February 1940.

Harvey proceeded to France with the BEF and was taken a Prisoner of War. He was fortunate to be repatriated during Wartime and landed home in October 1943, seeing further service at home with the HQ Supreme Allied Command in the Civil Affairs Division. The General reverted to Retired pay on 12 May 1944 and died on 22 September 1957; sold together with a quantity of copied research.

For the medals of his wife, please see Lot 250.

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

Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£950