Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Admiral Sir Dudley de Chair, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (D. R. de Chair, Midn., R.N., H.M.S. “Alexandra”); Khedive’s Star, unnamed, both with silver brooch bars, edge bruising, pitting, nearly very fine and better (2) £500-600

Dudley Rawson de Chair was born in Lennoxville, Quebec, on 30 August 1864, the eldest son of Dudley Raikes de Chair. Educated at H.N.S. Britannia, he entered the Royal Navy in 1878 and in May 1880 was appointed a Midshipman, serving aboard the Alexandra. In the Egyptian War of 1882, he served at the bombardment of Alexandria, where he was specially noted for his conduct by Captain Hotham. Landed as a volunteer, he was captured by the Egyptian supporters of Arabi Pasha as he attempted to carry despatches to a beleaguered fort beyond the British lines. Nearly murdered by an Egyptian mob, he was escorted to prison in Cairo; his capture being reported by The Times, his mother receiving condolences from the Admiralty and the Queen’s Private Secretary. With the British advance into Egypt, he was eventually rescued, it being reported in Sir Garnet Wolseley’s despatches of 15 September 1882, ‘... The war in Egypt is over. .... Midshipman de Chair is safe’; and in The Times as ‘Cairo Captured, Midshipman de Chair safe’.

In May 1884 he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant; was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1885 and Commander in June 1897. He was appointed Naval Attaché at Washington, September 1902-August 1904, and was in command of the Bacchante, Cochrane and Colossus during the period 1905-12. He was awarded the M.V.O. 4th Class in 1908 when in command of H.M.S. Cochrane on the occasion of the King’s visit to Reval. He was appointed Naval Assistant to the Controller of the Navy, 1910-12 and Naval Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, 1912-14, being promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1913. During the Great War he commanded the 10th Cruiser Squadron, 1914-16, involved in the northern patrol; was Naval Adviser to the Foreign Office on Blockade Affairs, 1916-17. Promoted to Vice-Admiral, he was then placed in command of the 3rd Battle Squadron with his flag on H.M.S. Dreadnought, September 1917-April 1918. For his wartime services he was awarded the C.B. in 1914, K.C.B. in 1916; Legion of Honour (Commander) in 1916 and the U.S.A. Distinguished Service Medal in 1917. De Chair attained the rank of Admiral in 1920 and was Admiral commanding the Coastguard and Reserve during 1918-21. His next appointment was President of the Interallied Commission on Enemy Warships, 1921-23. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request in November 1923, to take up the post of Governor of New South Wales, 1923-30. In 1933 he was awarded the K.C.M.G. During the Second World War, he served in the Home Guard and was Officer Commanding the Home Guard on the Island of Gigha, off the west coast of Kintyre, with the rank of Lieutenant. He died on 17 August 1958. Sold with his autobiography, The Sea is Strong; copied service papers and other research.