A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

A fine pre-war M.V.O., Great War D.S.O. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. A. Terry, Royal Sussex Regiment, formerly Manchester Regiment, and Royal West Surrey Regiment, twice wounded during the Boer War, and subsequently killed in action during the Great War, 1 October 1915

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., 4th class, silver-gilt and enamels, reverse officially numbered ‘921’; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, this with enamel damage to wreath on both sides; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Lieut., 1st Bn. Ryl. W. Surr. Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Major, Manch. Rgt.); 1914-15 Star (Major, M.V.O., R. Suss. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.); Coronation 1911, some edge bruising and contact wear to I.G.S. and Q.S.A., therefore nearly very fine, otherwise generally good very fine and better (8) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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See Colour Plate II

M.V.O. London Gazette 22 June 1914 (Major, Royal Sussex Regiment, Provost Marshal Aldershot).

D.S.O. London Gazette 23 June 1915 (Major, Royal Sussex Regiment).

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915.

Robert Joseph Atkinson Terry was educated at Charterhouse, and Trinity College, Cambridge. He entered the Army on 13 July 1892 in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant; promoted Lieutenant, 28 October 1896; and Captain, 18 January 1908; was Commandant Corps of Military Police, and Provost-Marshal from 8 November 1910. He first saw active service in the operations on the North West of India 1897-98, with the Malakand Field, Mohmand Field, and Tirah Expeditionary Forces. He next served in the South African War 1899-1902; and took part in the operations in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony; Special Service Officer (for Mounted Infantry); afterwards employed as Adjutant, Driscoll’s Scouts from 17 April 1901, with whom he was twice wounded (slightly wounded at Parijs on 4 June 1901; and severely wounded near Klerksdorp on 7 July 1901, Despatches London Gazette 29 July 1902; and Brevet of Major, 22 August 1902).

Served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment during the Great War, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was killed in action whilst leading an attack at Loos on 1 October 1915. He is buried at Nouex-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France.