Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 179

(x) A Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of nine awarded to Major T. B. J. Mahar, King's Royal Rifle Corps; he latterly joined the Canadian Army and commanded Lord Strathcona's Horse for five years

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed 'Lieut. T. B. J. Mahar, 60th Rifles, 1915'; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (2282 3rd Cl. Tpr: T. B. Mahar. S.A.C.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (2282 3rd Cl. Tpr. T. B. Mahar. S.A.C.), renamed; 1914-15 Star (R-5748 Pte. T.B.J. Mahar. K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. T.B.J. Mahar.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, no clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, unnamed, minor contact marks, very fine and better (9)

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

M.C. London Gazette 23 June 1915.

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June & 5 July 1919.

Thomas Bertram Joseph Mahar was born in Nova Scotia on 20 June 1881. During the Boer War, he volunteered for service in the South African Constabulary. On the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Mahar travelled to Britain and joined the Army as a Private in the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Entering France, he was appointed a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 27 January 1915, being advanced to Temporary Lieutenant in August 1916, Temporary Captain in October 1916 and finally Temporary Major in April 1918. Mahar served in France and Flanders from November 1914 until February 1916, again from October 1916 to May 1917, and finally between August 1917 and November 1918.

For his services during the war, in which he was wounded in action, Mahar was twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O and M.C. Major Mahar was demobilised in September 1919.

Post war, Mahar performed work for the Imperial Government in Central Africa, including conducting a geological survey, and was later employed in East Africa. Mahar returned to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1926, where he owned and operated the Halifax Tyre and Rubber Goods Company for a number of years. During the inter-war years, Mahar commanded the Strathcona Horse in Calgary for five years and held several staff appointments. In July 1940, then living at 9 College Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, he rejoined the Army from the Royal Army Reserve - becoming a Captain in the Royal Canadian Army. He was employed as Officer in Charge, Detention Buildings at Halifax, and was later the District Intelligence Officer. In October 1943, Mahar was promoted to Major and appointed Security Officer, Atlantic Command H.Q. Later he was appointed Administration and Training Officer to the No. 6 Reserve Fortress Signals. By 1947, Mahar had become Staff Officer in the No. 36 Brigade Group. After the Second World War, he served as Security Officer attached to H.M.C.S. Dockyard in Halifax under naval authorities from 1947 until his retirement in 1951. Major Mahar, D.S.O., M.C., whose military service encompassed three wars, died in 1964 and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia; sold together with copied research.


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

Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200

Starting price
£1400