Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. Vans-Agnew, Scottish Horse, late Indian Army, Roberts’ Horse and South Lancashire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (Lieut., 3rd Madras Light Cavalry), renamed; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Natal, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (Major, Roberts’ Horse); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Major, 28th Lt. Cvlry. I.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937

King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (3884 Serjt. J. Baxter, K.O. Scot. Bord.), contact marks, nearly very fine; Victory Medal 1914-19 (10918 Pte. E. Padden, North’d. Fus.), ‘Vans-Agnew’s’ mounted group of eight contains the K.S.A. to ‘Baxter’ and the Victory to ‘Padden’, good very fine except where stated (9) £600-700

John Vans-Agnew was born on 23 August 1859, the son of Robert Vans-Agnew of Barnbarroch and Sheuchen and Mary Elizabeth Blair. He was educated at Marlborough School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Entering the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the South Lancashire Regiment in August 1879, he was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1880. He transferred to the Indian Army 1886/87, becoming the Officiating Squadron Officer of the 3rd Madras Cavalry. Vans-Agnew served with the Burmese Expedition 1888, attached to the Intelligence Branch and in August 1890 was promoted to Captain and in August 1899 was advanced to Major. He served in the Boer War with Roberts’ Horse and was present at the relief of Kimberley, participated in the operations in the Orange Free State, February-May 1900, including the actions at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove and Driefontein. He was later Adjutant at the Stellenbosch Camp. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel with the 28th Light Cavalry in August 1905. Then having retired some years later, he was re-employed with the onset of the Great War, serving from August 1914-November 1917 as Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 2/2 Scottish Horse. He entered France on a brief tour on 6 February 1916. For his wartime services he was awarded the O.B.E. He married Ada Sybil Bates on 10 December 1891; succeeded his brother as Laird of Barnbarroch and Sleuchen in 1893; gained the title of Baron of Kirkinner; was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and held the office of J.P. and D.L. for Co. Wigton. Lieutenant-Colonel Vans-Agnew died on 7 October 1943. Sold with copied genealogical and other research.

10918 Private E. Padden, Northumberland Fusiliers came from Wallsend. He later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 148108. He entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 9 September 1915. Serving with the 195th Heavy Battery, R.G.A. in the Egyptian theatre of war he was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 11 February 1919). He was discharged on 14 December 1918.