Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare C.I.E., O.B.E., D.S.C. group of ten awarded to Captain J. N. Metcalfe, Royal Indian Navy, late Lieutenant, Royal Indian Marine, and Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Engineers (Inland Water Transport)

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamels, lacking reverse central plate, in its Garrard & Co case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, the reverse hallmarked London 1919; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1919; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1915 (Lieut. J. N. Metcalfe, R.I.M.S. Minto.); 1914-15 Star (Lt. J. N. Metcalfe, R.I.M.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. J. N. Metcalfe.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Lt. Col. J. N. Metcalfe.); Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935, good very fine (10) £2000-2600

C.I.E. Gazette of India 8 June 1944: ‘Captain Joseph Noel Metcalf, O.B.E., D.S.C., Royal Indian Navy (retired), Director of Equipment, Naval Headquarters.’

O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 March 1919: ‘T./Maj. (T./Lt.-Col.), D.S.C., R.E. For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in Mesopotamia.’

D.S.C. London Gazette 11 August 1917: ‘Lieut., R.I.M. (Noe Capt. R.E.). Awarded for service for long periods in river steamers in Mesopotamia - zeal, devotion to duty and gallantry.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 12 March 1918 (Mesopotamia); 27 August 1918 (Mesopotamia); and 12 February 1919 (Mesopotamia).

Joseph Noel Metcalfe was born in Leicester on 7 August 1886. He was appointed Sub-Lieutenant on 5 February 1908, and joined the Royal Indian Marine, 27 March 1908; Lieutenant R.I.M., 5 February 1912; Temp. Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel, R.E., Inland Water Transport, 17 February 1917 to 25 April 1921; reverted to R.I.M., 26 April 1921, and promoted to Lieutenant-Commander from 5 February 1920; Maintenance Officer Bombay Dockyard, 1 March 1944; Captain, Royal Indian Navy, 28 August 1935; Captain of the Fleet, Bombay, 1 January 1940 to 31 December 1941; Director of Equipment, Naval Headquarters, 1 January 1943 to 21 March 1944.