Orders, Decorations and Medals

ABYSSINIA 1867-68 (Ensign D.W.K. Barr, 33rd D.W. Regt.) very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment from the Collection of Mr Donald Hall.

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Sir David William Keith Barr, K.C.S.I. was born in 1846 and educated privately and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned Ensign in the 44th Regiment, 1864, and served with the 33rd Regiment in the Abyssinian Campaign in 1868. The regiment took a prominent role in the campaign, leading the final assault on Magdala, Easter Sunday, 13 April 1868. Drummer Michael Magner and Private James Bergin were the first to enter Magdala and were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their conspicuous gallantry in the assault. Barr entered the Political Department, Government of India, in 1869, subsequently holding the following positions: 1st Asst. Agent to the Governor General for Central India, 1874; Political Agent at Jodhpore, 1880; Political Agent and Superintendent at Rewah, 1881-87; Resident at Gwalior, 1887-92; Resident in Kashmir, 1892-94; Agent to the Governor General in Central India, 1894-1900; Resident at Hyderabad, 1900-1905. He retired in 1905 and was a member of the Council of India until 1915. In recognition of his distinguished services he had been created K.C.S.I. in 1902. Sir David Barr died on 22 November 1916.