Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Grinlinton, Royal Artillery

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top slip bar; China 1900, no clasp (2d Lieut., R.A.) official correction to surname; India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1901-2 (Lt., R.A.); 1914-15 Star (Capt., R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major) mounted as worn, some contact marks, good very fine (6) £1800-2200

D.S.O. London Gazette 26 September 1916. ‘For conspicuous gallantry during several days of operations. As Forward Observation Officer he sent back invaluable information. He was twice knocked over by shell-bursts, and his pluck and cheerfulness exercised great influence on his battery.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916; 4 January 1917; 27 August 1919.

John Liesching Grinlinton was born in January 1880. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, in December 1898. Transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery in January 1900 and served in the China campaign of 1900. Served with the Native Mountain Artillery in India from January 1901, and took part in the operations in Waziristan 1901-02. Promoted to Lieutenant in April 1901; appointed Assistant Instructor in Gunnery, Aden in January 1910. Promoted to Captain in January 1911 and Major in October 1915. As a Captain in the R.G.A. he entered France on 23 April 1915 and served on the Western Front until December 1916, being twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. Then served with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force from February 1917, receiving a further ‘mention’ whilst on service with the Royal Air Force. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1927, he retired on 3 July 1931. During the 1920’s Grinlinton worked for the Geological Survey of India and in 1928 had published The Former Glaciation of the East Lidar Valley, Kashmir.

Sold with photographs of 31 Wing Headquarters and mess, Baghdad, 1917 and a group photograph of the officers of 31 Wing H.Q.; with a pencil drawing of the recipient and copied gazette extracts and m.i.c.