Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

The Army Rifle Association, Queen Victoria’s Cup Prize Medal, silver, the obverse inscribed ‘The Army Rifle Association’, with crossed rifles and wreath of leaves around, the reverse engraved ‘The Queen Victoria Cup 1913’, with engraved central inscription ‘3rd Battn. The Devonshire Regiment’, the edge engraved ‘Captain B. V. Mitford (Captain)’, with small ring suspension, nearly extremely fine £40-£50

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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Bertram Vernon Mitford was born in Monmouthshire in 1871 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on 8 February 1890. Advanced Captain, he was embodied in the 3rd Militia Battalion at Jersey for service during the Boer War in 1899 and was disembodied at Jersey in 1902. As Captain of the 3rd Militia Battalion shooting team his team were the winners of Queen Victoria Cup in 1913. Mobilised following the outbreak of the Great War and promoted Major, he embarked for India on 5 January 1917 and was appointed Paymaster, Pensioners’ Department, at Madras. He was disembodied from the Special Reserve of Officers on 19 October 1920 and died at Budleigh Salterton, Devon, on 12 April 1949, aged 77.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research. Surviving records indicate Major Mitford did not apply for the single British War Medal to which he would appear to be entitled for his service in India during the Great War.