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Auction: 17003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 642

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

'...an old Sudan official, speaking Arabic, and understanding nomadic ways; very patient, good-humoured, sympathetic'

High praise indeed from 'Lawrence of Arabia' in Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

The miniature dress awards and Egyptian Order of the Nile worn by Lieutenant Colonel R. V. Buxton, Imperial Camel Corps, a close friend and banker of Lawrence, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, winning a stunning D.S.O. leading the flying column attack on Mudawara, Hejaz Railway on 8 August 1918

Egypt, Kingdom, Order of the Nile, Commander's neck Badge, housed in a glazed frame by Spink & Son, King St. together with the recipient's miniature awards comprising:

Distinguished Service Order, silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaves; Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, with rosette upon riband, silver-gilt and enamel; Egypt, Kingdom, Order of the Nile, with rosette and silver flashes upon riband, housed together with the miniature awards of 'Captain H. A. Clive M.C., Grenadier Guards', comprising Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, slight traces of verdigris, otherwise good very fine (Lot)

D.S.O. London Gazette 30 July 1919:

'For gallant and successful services when in command of a flying column of Imperial Camel Corps operating in the Northern Hejaz. On August 8th, 1918, this column delivered a surprise attack on the strong Turkish post at Mudawara on the Hejaz Railway, 60 miles south of Maan. As a result the station was captured and destroyed, 35 Turks being killed and 150 prisoners captured. This operation – the success of which was largely due to Colonel Buxton's personal leadership and excellent dispositions – had the effect of completing the isolation of Medina and the Southern Hejaz garrisons from communication with the north.'

Robert 'Robin' Vere Buxton was born at Victoria, London in April 1883, the son of Francis Buxton, a Member of Parliament for Andover and barrister. Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Oxford, he was a proficient and First Class cricketer, earning his Blue in 1906. In total he played 17 First Class matches for Oxford University and Middlesex between 1906-09, finishing his career with 664 runs, with a top score of 76 at a respectable average of a shade over 22 (http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/10243.html).

Arab Revolt

Robin joined the Sudan Civil Service in 1907, in what would be a most ideal introduction to the Arab world. Initially commissioned into the West Kent Yeomanry, his experience in the Middle East soon saw him seconded to the Imperial Camel Corps from 19 April 1916, having previously seen action at Gallipoli, August-October 1915. Buxton was given command of the 2nd Battalion Imperial Camel Corps in July 1918, together with 300 men to support T. E. Lawrences's 'Arab Revolt'. The attack was a success, leading to the re-capture of Mudawara, with Lawrence arriving in his Rolls Royce 'Blue Mist' to greet Buxton and inspect the victory together. Having won his D.S.O. and a brace of 'mentions' (London Gazette 12 January 1918 & 11 June 1920, refers), he also added his Egyptian and Italian Orders (London Gazette 26 & 29 November 1920, refers). Having formed an unusually close relationship, the pair continued to stay in contact, Lawrence commenting on William Roberts's portrait of Buxton in October 1922 as '...astonishing; you have become severe, abstracted, slightly sorry...a wonderful drawing.'

Buxton would become the chief financier for Seven Pillars of Wisdom, rising to become Chairman of Martins Bank. He died at Itchen Abbas, Hampshire on 1 October 1953, with his obituary printed in The Times; sold with copied research.

Harry Ambrose Clives' Military Cross was announced in the London Gazette of 14 January 1916.

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Sold for
£850