Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The military C.B.E. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir H. B. St. John, K.C.I.E., C.B.E., Indian Political Service, late Rattray’s Sikhs, Indian Army

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Malakand 1897, Tirah 1897-98 (Lieut., 45th Sikhs); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt-Col.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Major, C.I.E., C.B.E., Ind. Poll. Dept.); Delhi Durbar 1903, silver; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these unnamed, medals mounted court style for wear, very fine and better (8) £1000-1200

Ex B.D.W. 12 June 1991.

Henry Beauchamp St. John was born on 26 August 1874, son of Colonel Sir Oliver B. C. St. John, K.C.S.I., R.E. Henry St. John entered the Army in 1893, being commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, before transferring to the Indian Staff Corps in 1894. He served on the N.W. Frontier with the 45th Rattray’s Sikhs at the defence of Malakand, relief of Chakdara, Malakand, action at Landakai, operations in Bajaur and in the Mamund country, Tirah 1897-98 and operations in the Barah Valley, December 1897. He was appointed a C.I.E. in 1913 and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.B.E. for his services in the Third Afghan War. Served as an administrator in British India, his many political appointments included Agent to the Governor General, Punjab States, 1925-27; he twice served as Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan; was Prime Minister of Jaipur State, 1933-39. He was knighted, being appointed a K.C.I.E. in the New Years Honours list of January 1930. In retirement he lived at Beaulieu, Hampshire and died in 1954.