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Auction: 14001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 14

A Scarce Second War O.B.E., Great War '1916' M.C. Group of Seven to Lieutenant-Colonel E.M. Sinauer, Royal Engineers
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt
b) Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse privately engraved in sans-serif capitals 'Capt. E.M. Sinauer. R.E. 1916'
c) 1914 Star, with Bar (Lieut. E.M. Sinauer. R.E.)
d) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Major E.M. Sinauer)
e)Turkey, Ottoman Empire, Order of Medjidieh, Fourth Class breast Badge, 70mm including Star and Crescent suspension x 53mm, silver, gold applique, and enamel, with rosette on riband
f) Khedive's Sudan 1910-22, one clasp, S. Kordofan 1910 (Lieut. E.M. Sinauer. R.E.), officially engraved, generally very fine or better, mounted court style for display purposes (7)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1941 Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Esmond Moreton Sinauer, M.C., retired pay, late Royal Engineers.

M.C. London Gazette 3.6.1916 Capt. Esmond Moreton Sinauer, R.E.
'For Distinguished Service in the Field.'

Turkish Order of the Medjidieh, Fourth Class London Gazette 6.5.1913 Lieutenant Esmond Moreton Sinauer, Royal Engineers
'In recognition of valuable services rendered by him.'

Lieutenant-Colonel Esmond Moreton Sinauer, O.B.E., M.C., born Brisbane, Queensland, August 1885, moved to England in 1894 and educated at St. Paul's School, London, and the Royal Military College, Woolwich, where he passed out at the head of his class, taking the King's Gold Medal for proficiency in Military Subjects, The Pollock Gold Medal for Distinguished Proficiency, and prizes for chemistry, tactics, military engineering, artillery, military topography, geometrical drawing, infantry drill, and free hand drawing; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, 27.7.1905; promoted Lieutenant, 11.1.1908; employed with the Egyptian Army, 24.1.1908- 14.12.1912, present during the operations in Southern Kordofan, November to December 1910, and awarded the Turkish Order of the Medjidieh; after returning to England he was one of six officers from the Royal Engineers to be personally presented to H.M. the King; served with the Royal Engineers during the Great War on the Western Front; promoted Captain, 30.10.1914, acting Major, 9.5.1917, awarded the Military Cross and twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 22.6.1915 and 7.7.1919); after the Great War appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Railways and Roads at the War Office, with the temporary rank of Major, 1.6.1919; appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Fortifications and Works, 25.5.1922; retired with the rank of Major, 15.7.1925; re-employed at the start of the Second World War as an Assistant Director of Fortifications and Works, with the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, 1.9.1939; died at Aldershot, Hampshire, 10.7.1946, and his ashes are buried in Golders Green Crematorium, London. A personal tribute to him that appeared in The Times, 3.8.1946, recalled: 'In my opinion no other Sapper contributed more than Sinauer to the Army's success in the Air Defence of Great Britain. When he eventually left the War Office to join the Headquarters of Anti-Aircraft Command, we missed his wise council, his great knowledge and his never failing good humour.'

Provenance: Spink, November 2000.

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Sold for
£3,500