A Great War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain A. A. Fry, Royal Air Force, late Scots Guards, South Wales Borderers and Monmouthshire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military Division) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (4569 Sgt. Dmr. A. A. Fry, S. Wales Bord.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4569 Clr.-Serjt. A. A. Fry, S. Wales Bord.); 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut. A. A. Fry, Mon. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. A. A. Fry, R.A.F.); Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (4569 Clr.-Serjt. A. A. Fry, S. Wales Bord.), generally very fine (8) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Alfred Andrew Fry was born in Coventry, Warwickshire and enlisted in the Scots Guards as a boy recruit in August 1884, aged 14 years. Having then gained advancement to Lance-Sergeant, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers in March 1894. He subsequently witnessed active service in South Africa, where he was promoted to Colour-Sergeant and was present in operations in Cape Colony and Orange Free State, including the action near Johannesburg (Queen’s Medal & 3 clasps; King’s Medal & 2 clasps).

Awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in 1903, Fry was appointed Quarter-Master, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant, in the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment in July 1910 and it was in this capacity that he went to France in 1915; he became Adjutant in April 1916 and was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 1 January and 15 June 1916, refer).

Following the disbandment of the Battalion, Fry was seconded to No. 19 P.O.W. Company, Fourth Army and, later still, transferred to the Royal Air Force in the rank of Captain. He subsequently won two further “mentions” (London Gazettes 30 December 1918 and 11 July 1919, refer), and was awarded the M.B.E., the whole in respect of his services in H.Q., 12th Wing. He was likewise employed at the time of his death on the Home Establishment on 27 June 1919 and is buried in Esher (Christ Church) Churchyard; sold with copied research.