Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family Group:

A Great War C.M.G. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Allen, Royal Irish Rifles
The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s, breast badge converted for neck wear, silver-gilt and enamels, minor chips to both centres; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (Lt: Col: E. Allen, R. Ir. Rif:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. Col. E. Allen, Rl. Irish Rif.); 1914-15 Star (Lt: Col: E. Allen. R. Ir: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. E. Allen.) the last five mounted as worn, good very fine

Five: Captain R. G. Allen, Royal Ulster Rifles
1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all privately named ‘Capt. R. G. Allen, R.U.R.’, mounted for display, good very fine (11) £700-£900

C.M.G. London Gazette 14 January 1916.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916.

Edward Allen was born on 6 September 1859, at Stone Hall, Glandore, county Cork, second son of Christopher Allen, J.P. He was educated at Eastman’s Naval Academy, Southsea, Hampshire, with a view to entering the Navy, and afterwards at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He joined the 86th Regiment, afterwards the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, in August 1879. He saw active service throughout the Boer war, 1899-1902; present at the battle of Stormberg, relief of Wepener, and took part in operations in the Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony. He was twice mentioned in despatches and made Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel (Queen’s medal and 2 clasps, King’s medal and 2 clasps). Lieutenant-Colonel Allen retired in September 1902. Recalled in 1914, Lieutenant-Colonel Allen served with the Royal Irish Rifles in France from 26 February 1915.

Rufus Gray Allen served as a Captain with the Royal Ulster Rifles and was killed in action in Sicily on 5 August 1943, aged 23. He is buried in Catania War Cemetery, Sicily.

Sold with original portrait photographs of both recipients together with some copied research.