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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 319

(x) The Boer War C.M.G. group awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Swan, who commanded the 3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment during the South African War and was one of Lincolnshire's most popular landlords of the time

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Lt: Col: C. A. Swan, C.M.G, Linc: Rgt:); Coronation 1902, silver, in Elkington & Co. Ltd. embossed case of issue, enamel damage to the C.M.G. with some less than sympathetic restoration, minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine (3)

Provenance:
Noonans, July 2019.

C.M.G. London Gazette 26 June 1902.

Charles Arthur Swan was born on 3 October 1854 at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, the son of the Rev. Charles Trollope Swan, J.P. and resided at Sausthorpe Hall in Lincolnshire. Educated at Eton College and later at Magdalen College, Oxford, he married Ethel Conway Gordon in 1885 and together the couple had 3 children: 2 daughters and a son, Major Charles Francis Trollope Swan M.C.. He was a Justice of the Peace in Lincolnshire for 55 years and served as High Sheriff in 1895.

As Lieutenant-Colonel he commanded the 3rd Battalion (The Royal North Lincolnshire Militia) 1900-09 and was Honorary Colonel of that Battalion from 17 February 1909. He served in the South African War, where he commanded the 3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment from 11 April 1902 to 31 May 1902 and was awarded the C.M.G. for his services.

Swan generously paid for and donated Sausthorpe Village Hall to the village as well as making several philanthropic donations upon his death. Swan died at Spilsby on 9 January 1941.

His obituary which appears in the Lincolnshire Echo of 11 January 1941 recalls:

'Colonel Charles Arthur Swan who has died at his home Sausthorpe Old Hall, Spilsby, at the age of 86 was one of the county's most popular great landlords and until a few years ago took a very active part in public life in East Lincolnshire. He had been a Justice of the peace for 55 years and Chairman of the Spilsby Bench from 1919 to 1936. After leaving Oxford he commenced to study for the bar, but in 1882 he joined the Royal North Lincolnshire militia. This later became the 3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment which he commanded for a time and of which he later became honorary Colonel. The Battalion saw active service in the Boer War and in recognition of its share in the activities its Colonel received the C.M.G.

In the last war, Colonel Swan was too old for active service, but he did valuable work for recruiting and for the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association.'

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

Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£480