Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War D.S.O. group of eight awarded to Major S. Carwithen, Royal Artillery, late Cape Mounted Rifles, a veteran of the Bechuanaland operations and defence of Wepener, who was also twice mentioned in despatches for Salonika

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 1 clasp, Bechuanaland (2716 Pte. S. Carwithen, C.M. Rif.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Wepener, Transvaal, Wittebergen (Lieut. S. Carwithen, R.G.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. S. Carwithen, R.G.A.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1908, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. S. Carwithen, R.A., 22 Derjerat Mt. By.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. S. Carwithen, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major S. Carwithen), the earlier awards with contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine or better (8) £2500-3000

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Sydney Carwithen was born at Ladpour, India, in March 1875, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel George Carwithen of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and was educated at Blundell’s School.

First seeing action as a Trooper in the Cape Mounted Rifles during the Bechuanaland rebellion in 1897, he was similarly employed in the Boer War up until the end of April 1900, being present in operations in Cape Colony and at the defence of Wepener. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery in the following month, he was next present in operations in the Transvaal and at the action of Wittebergen, and gained advancement to Lieutenant in No. 14 Company, R.G.A., in October 1901 (Queen’s Medal & 4 clasps; King’s Medal & 2 clasps).

Embarked for India in May 1903, Carwithen witnessed further active service in 22 Derjerat Mountain Battery in operations in the Zakka Zhel country on the North-West Frontier in 1908 (Medal & clasp) and, having served back in the U.K. in No. 17 Company, R.G.A., went out to the Gold Coast with an appointment in No. 50 Company in Sierra Leone, in which capacity he was advanced to Captain in May 1913.

By the outbreak of hostilities, he was serving in Malta, but he was ordered to France in March 1915 on the staff of R.A. H.Q. 16th Corps, and was advanced to Major at the end of the same year. Next embarked for Salonika, where he served from November 1915 until August 1917, Carwithen was initially a Brigade Major in 28th Division and latterly a Deputy Adjutant and Quarter-Master General in 16th Army Corps. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 28 November 1917, refers). Having then served back home, he went out to France in August 1918 as Brigade Major in 6th Division, in which capacity he was awarded the D.S.O. and a second “mention” (London Gazette 7 July 1919, refers).

After the War Carwithen returned to India and took command of 22 Derjerat Battery, and saw further action in the operations during the Third Afghan War (clasp). He was finally placed on the Retired List in December 1922; sold with copied research.