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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 937

(x) Francis Fowkes Memorial Medal, School of Military Engineering, silver (152g), by J. W. Benson, rim engraved (2nd Lieut. C. M. Browne, R.E. 1899.), obverse with high relief bust of Francis Fowkes in uniform, reverse with text 'Memorial medal established by the Officers of Royal Engineers as an architecutral prize in the corps.', surrounded by stylised laurel wreath, 58mm diameter, 7mm thick, in its red leather J. W. Benson, Ltd. watchmaker to H. M. the late Queen, 82 & 64. Ludgate Hill London E.G. case of issue, some edge bruising, otherwise good very fine

Provenance:
Noonan's, December 2006.

[C.M.G.] London Gazette 2 January 1918.

[D.S.O.] London Gazette 3 July 1903.

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915, 1 January 1916, 15 May 1917, 11 December 1917, 3 February 1920.

[Legion of Honour] London Gazette 24 February 1916.

Charles Michael Browne was born on 26 November 1878 and attended the Royal Military Academy, from which he joined the Royal Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant on 23 Dcember 1897. He then studied at the School of Military Engineering, being awarded the Fowkes' Medal in 1899. Browne was advanced Lieutenant the next year and posted to India where he served in Waziristan campaign 1901-02 in the 5th Field Company, 2nd Division. November 1902 saw Browne take an important role in the capture of the Gumatti Fort during the operations against the Darwash Khels, for which he was awarded a D.S.O. in July 1903. He was later promoted Captain and then Major.

Browne entered the Great War as an Adjutant, disembarking at France on 20 January 1915. During the war he was mentioned in depatches no less than four times, and for his distinguished service during the campaign was made a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour in 1916 and a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1918. After the end of the Great War, then Lieutenant-Colonel Browne served in the Russian Relief Force in southern Russia. For his work in Russia he was again mentioned in despatches.

Browne at some stage returned to India, where he worked as Director Survey of India and his medals were sent to the Surveyor General of India at Wood Street in Calcutta. He later died at Madras on 30 August 1929.

Browne is further entitled to a 3rd Class Order of St. Michael and St. George; Companion's Distinguished Service Order; India General Service Medal 1895-1908, clasp Waziristan 1901-02; 1914-15 Star trio with M.I.D. oak leaves; France, 5th Class Legion of Honour, and possibly Russia, 2nd Class Order of St. Anne. Sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£150

Starting price
£20