Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce inter-War ‘Burma 1930-32’ C.B.E. group of three awarded to Colonel A. Lethbridge, Deputy Inspector General, Burma Military Police

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type, neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (Lt- Col. A. Lethbridge. B.M.P.); Defence Medal, nearly extremely fine (3) £400-£500

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, February 1998 (when sold without Defence Medal).

C.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1932.

Alfred Lethbridge was born on 29 September, 1884, and educated at Tonbridge and Sandhurst. He joined the 54th Sikhs (FF) but was seconded to civil employ as Assistant Commandant of Military Police, Chin Hills, in April 1914, becoming Commandant shortly afterwards until June 1916 when he was invalided home. He returned to Burma in late 1917 but was again invalided home in January 1918. He was employed at home under the Minister of Blockade of the Balkans until May 1919, and then under the India Office (Mil. Sec. Dept) until November 1919. He served as 2nd in command 54th Sikhs with the Army of the Black Sea 1920 (M.I.D. London Gazette 16 January 1921). He subsequently became Deputy Inspector General of the Burma Military Police, having acted as Commandant of the unit during the Burma Revolt 1930-32. He was awarded the C.B.E. in 1932 for his services in Burma and retired in 1935. During the Second World War he was a Group and Zone Commander in the Devon Home Guard. Colonel Lethbridge died on 8 February 1968.