Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel John Vans-Agnew, Scottish Horse, late Indian Army, Roberts’ Horse and the South Lancashire Regiment
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (Lieut. J. Vans-Agnew, 3rd Madras Light Cavalry) renamed; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Natal, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (Major J. Vans-Agnew, Roberts Horse); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Major J. Vans-Agnew, 28th Lt. Cvlry. I.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col. J. Vans Agnew); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these unnamed, cleaned, lacquered, mounted court style for display, good very fine (7) £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals relating to the Boer War formed by two brothers.

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John Vans-Agnew was born on 23 August 1859, the son of Robert Vans-Agnew of Barnbarroch and Sheuchen and Mary Elizabeth Blair. He was educated at Marlborough School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Entering the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the South Lancashire Regiment in August 1879, he was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1880. He transferred to the Indian Army 1886/87, becoming the Officiating Squadron Officer of the 3rd Madras Cavalry. Vans-Agnew served with the Burmese Expedition 1888, attached to the Intelligence Branch and in August 1890 was promoted to Captain and in August 1899 was advanced to Major. He served in the Boer War with Roberts’ Horse and was present at the relief of Kimberley, participated in the operations in the Orange Free State, February-May 1900, including the actions at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove and Driefontein. He was later Adjutant at the Stellenbosch Camp. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel with the 28th Light Cavalry in August 1905. Then having retired some years later, he was re-employed with the onset of the Great War, serving from August 1914-November 1917 as Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 2/2 Scottish Horse. He entered France on a brief tour on 6 February 1916. For his wartime services he was awarded the O.B.E. He married Ada Sybil Bates on 10 December 1891; succeeded his brother as Laird of Barnbarroch and Sleuchen in 1893; gained the title of Baron of Kirkinner; was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and held the office of J.P. and D.L. for Co. Wigton. Lieutenant-Colonel Vans-Agnew died on 7 October 1943 at Garliestown, Wigtownshire, Scotland.

The Scottish family now called ‘Vans Agnew of Barnbarroch and Sheuchan’ were ‘Vanses’ in the male line; they adopted the ‘Agnew’ name after a marriage in 1747 to the heiress of Agnew of Sheuchan.

With a quantity of copied research including roll and gazette extracts, m.i.c., and copied photograph.