Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Collard, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, attached Egyptian Army, who commanded the 14th Sudanese during the Great War, and was six times Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Lieut. A. M. Collard. 1/D.C.L.I.) engraved in the usual running script associated with this Regiment; 1914-15 Star (Major A. M. Collard. D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. A. M. Collard.); Egypt, Kingdom, Order of the Nile, Officer’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette on riband; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, with poincon mark to base of reverse tassel, mounted court-style as worn, generally very fine and better (7) £1,400-£1,800

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Egyptian Order of the Nile, Fourth Class London Gazette 25 July 1916.

French Legion of Honour, Fifth Class London Gazette 14 July 1917.

Alfred Methven Collard was born in 1877 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 5 September 1896. He served with them as part of the Tirah Expeditionary Force on the North-west Frontier of India 1897-98, and was promoted Lieutenant on 23 December 1898, and Captain on 19 February 1904. Seconded to the Egyptian Army on 31 December 1908, he commanded the 14th Sudanese, Egyptian Army during the Great War, first entering the Suvla Bay theatre of War on 25 September 1915, and then later served on the Staff as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General. For his services during the Great War he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order; was six times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 13 July 1916, 25 September 1916, 15 May 1917, 11 December 1917, 20 December 1918, and 12 January 1920); and was awarded the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel.