Orders, Decorations and Medals

An ‘Afghan War 1919’ D.S.O., Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Major D. Blundell Mein, Indian Army

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt, gold and enamel, complete with brooch bar, in damaged Garrards, London case of issue, lacking connection between suspension bar and cross; Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Lieut. D. Blundell Mein, 55th Coke’s Rifles, F.F. Ypres April 28th 1915’, in damaged case of issue; 1914 Star (Lt. D. B. Mein, 55/Rfls.), Indian issue, good very fine (3) £1000-1200

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 August 1920.

M.C. London Gazette 3 July 1915. ‘Near Ypres during operations from 24 April to 4 May 1915 he displayed the greatest ability and coolness in bringing up rations and ammunition for the Regiment under heavy shell fire. When only two officers were left with the Regiment he came up from behind and took part in the second attack on 27 May. He divided his time between assisting in the front line, where he was of the greatest help, and going back through Ypres under heavy shell fire to arrange for rations etc’

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 July 1915; 1 January 1916; 4 February 1920; 10 June 1921.

Debrisay Blundell Mein was born on 7 December 1889, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel F. Mein, Indian Army. He was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Unattached List in September 1909 and transferred to the Indian Army in November 1910. He was promoted to Lieutenant in December 1911 and Captain in September 1915. During the Great war, he served in France, 1914-16, Waziristan, 1917 and East Africa, 1918, for which he was twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross. In the Afghanistan War of 1919 he was again mentioned in despatches and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Serving in Waziristan 1919-20, he was mentioned in despatches and granted the brevet of Major. Retiring from the Army in 1920 he resided at Hay Lodge, Braughing, Ware, Hertfordshire. He died on 9 February 1937, reportedly during surgery on a wartime head wound. In addition to the above, Mein was awarded the clasp to the 1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals, General Service Medal with clasp South Persia, and India General Service Medal with clasps for Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 and Waziristan 1919-21. Sold with copied m.i.c. and other research.

For his father’s medals, see lot 710.