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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 227

The C.M.G., M.V.O. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Thresher, Rifle Brigade

The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, Companion's (C.M.G.) neck Badge, in silver-gilt and enamel, on full length neck riband; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., 4th Class breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, officially numbered '1019'; 1914 Star (Major J. H. Thresher. Rif: Brig:); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col J. H. Thresher.); France, Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer's breast Badge, 54mm including wreath suspension x 40mm, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette upon riband; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Officer's breast Badge, 62mm including wreath suspension x 45mm, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette upon riband; War Cross; France, Republic, Order of Agricultural Merit, Officer's breast Badge, 60mm including wreath suspension x 36mm, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette upon riband some polishing, good very fine (9)

C.M.G. London Gazette 12 December 1919.

M.V.O. London Gazette 3 August 1917.

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.

Belgian Order of the Crown London Gazette 14 February 1917.

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 11 March 1918.

French Legion of Honour London Gazette 14 February 1917.

French Order of Agricultural Merit London Gazette 7 October 1919.

James Henville Thresher was born on 30 August 1970 and was the eldest son of Reverand J. H. Thresher of Winchester. He was educated at Winchester College before he enlisted into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1892 before then transferring to the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade by May that same year. For two years between September 1892-November 1894 Thresher served in India and was promoted Lieutenant on 5 December 1894 upon his return. He then saw service in Hong Kong between November 1894-November 1896, soon after the worst days of the bubonic plague which had broken out at that place. Those on the station still remained on high alert for cases of the plague lingered on into the period in which Thresher was at Hong Kong. The next two years were spent in the Straits Settlements, being retired Major in March 1909.

Upon the outbreak of the Great War however, Thresher was recalled and disembarked on the Western Front on 16 August 1914. He was promoted Camp Commandant at General Headquarters, France, brevet Lieutenant Colonel in June 1916 and substantive Lieutenant Colonel in April 1919. Medals such as these awarded to a member of the Rifle Brigade from the Great War is notably rare, with Thresher being one of two individuals awarded the M.V.O, one of 30 awarded the C.M.G, one of two awarded the Belgian Order of the Crown, one of seven awarded the Legion of Honour, one of 26 awarded the Belgian War Cross, and finally, the only recipient of the French Order of Agricultural Merit (List of Officers and Other Ranks of The Rifle Brigade Awarded Decorations, Or Mentioned In Despatches, For Services During the Great War, by Lieut-Col T. R. Eastwood and Maj H. G. Parkyn refers). An exciting and notable medal group to a most deserving officer.

Thresher died in Fleet on 16 February 1943; sold together with extensive copied research.

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Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1100