A C.I.E., O. St. J. group of six awarded to Sir Hyde Clarendon Gowan, Governor of the Central Provinces, India, 1933-38

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamel, minor enamel damage; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer ‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, minor enamel damage; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, unnamed; Volunteer Force Long Service (India), G.V.R. (Captain H. C. Gowan, Nagpur Voltr. Rfls.); Indian Volunteer Forces Officers’ Decoration, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Maj. H. C. Gowan, 2nd Nagpur Rifles I.D.F.’, lacks top bar, mounted court style for wear; together with a set of six miniature dress medals: Order of the Star of India, silver, silver-gilt and enamel with cameo centre, with top bar; Order of the Indian Empire, silver-gilt and enamel, with top bar; Order of St. John, silver and enamel; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Efficiency Decoration, G.V.R., lacking top bar, mounted as worn, very fine and better (12) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An outstanding Collection of Awards relating to the Order of St John.

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Hyde Clarendon Gowan was born in Sydney, N.S.W. on 4 July 1878, the eldest son of Bowie Campbell Gowan, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. He was educated at Rugby School and New College, Oxford where he gained a B.A. In 1905 he married Edna Brown of MereOaks, Wigan. He entered the Imperial Colonial Service in 1902 and was Under-Secretary to the Government of the Central Provinces, India, 1904-08; Financial Secretary, 1918-21, 1925 and 1926; Chief Secretary, 1927-32 and Governor of the Central Provinces, 1933-38. For his administrative services he was awarded the C.I.E. in 1928, the C.S.I. in 1932 and K.C.S.I. in 1933. Gowan was the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the Nagpur Rifles, 1920-25. Sir Hyde Clarendon Gowan died on 1 April 1938.

For his wife’s medals, see lot 1656.