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Auction: 11011 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 1

A Great War 1918 C.B., Scarce Campaign Combination Group of Six to Brigadier-General H.F. Kays, Highland Light Infantry, Mentioned in Despatches for the Miranzai Expedition, 1891, He Commanded the 2nd Battalion H.L.I., 1908-1912 a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companions (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, minor green enamel damage b) India General Service 1854-95, two clasps, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891 (Lieut. H.F. Kays 2d. Bn High L.I.) c) Queen´s South Africa 1899-1902, three clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Transvaal (Capt: H.F. Kays, 1/High: L.I.) d) King´s South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (Maj. H.F. Kays High. L.I.) e) British War Medal, M.I.D. Oakleaves (Brig. Gen. H.F. Kays.), officially re-impressed f) Coronation 1911, engraved in sans-serif upright capitals, ´Lt. Col. H.F. Kays. Comdg. 2nd Bn. Highd. L.I.´, back-straps removed from top clasps for mounting purposes, toned, generally very fine, campaign awards mounted as originally worn, with a photographic image of recipient (6) Estimate £ 1,400-1,800 C.B. London Gazette 3.6.1918 Col. (T./Brig.-Gen.) Horace Francis Kays ´For services in connection with the War.´ M.I.D. London Gazette 6.7.1918 Kays, Col. (T./Brig.-Gen.) H. F. ´For valuable services rendered in connection with the War.´ Brigadier-General Horace Francis Kays, C.B. (1861-1945); educated at Harrow; commissioned Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1883; the previous year his elder brother, Dudley Kays, had been killed in action at Tel-el-Kebir, whilst serving with the same battalion; took part in the Hazara Expedition 1891, as Assistant Superintendent of Signalling (1 of 8 ´Hazara 1891´ clasps to the regiment) and in the same year he served as Superintendent of Signalling on the Miranzai Expedition (1 of 7 ´Samana 1891´ clasps to the regiment); during the latter expedition he was mentioned in Brigadier-General Sir W.S.A. Lockhart´s Despatches, ´Lieutenant H.F. Kays, Highland Infantry, has superintended the signalling of the force since its concentration. I wish to record my high appreciation of the work done by all ranks of signallers, who have been by far the hardest worked men in the force´; Captain 1892; Adjutant 9th (Lanark) Volunteer Battalion, 1895-1899; served with the Regiment during the Second Boer War, briefly being sent home to recuperate from Enteric Fever, before returning to South Africa as Commandant at Barkley East, from July 1901; Major 29.10.1902; served as Lieutenant-Colonel, Officer Commanding, 2nd Battalion, 1908-1912; retired 1913 and during his Farewell Dinner, ´A record gathering of Officers marked the celebration of St. Andrew´s Night at Mullingar, though one could wish that the occasion of a record attendance had not been that for many of those present it was the last opportunity of greeting Colonel Kays as Officer Commanding the Battalion. Colonel Kays was the guest of the evening, and twenty-five of his brother Officers were present to honour their guest. After reading various telegrams of greeting Major A.A. Wolfe-Murray said that, though he knew it was not the custom to make speeches at Mess, he felt sure that the Officers would wish him to propose the health of Colonel Kays. Colonel Kays had served in the Regiment for 29 years, and he was confident that he was voicing the feelings of all when he said that his approaching departure was deplored, not only by every Officer but also by every Non-Commissioned Officer and man in the Battalion. He wished Colonel Kays, in the name of all present, "Good luck in the future, and a speedy return to harness"´; appointed command of the Lothian Territorial Brigade, Edinburgh, 1.10.1913; Temporary Brigadier-General, August 1914; appointed to the command of a 2nd Line Territorial Brigade, consisting of the 2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th and 2/9th Battalions Highland Light Infantry, 1916.

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£2,000