Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A C.B., C.M.G. group of six awarded to Brigadier-General E. R. Courtenay, 11th Hussars, late 20th Hussars

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with ribbon buckle; The Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1878-9 (Lieut., 20th Hussars); Egypt & Sudan 1882-89, 1 claps, The Nile 1884-85 (Capt., 20th Hussars); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Lieut. Colonel, 11th Hussars); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine, the Zulu War medal unique to the regiment (6) £1800-2200

Edward Reginald Courtenay was born in December 1853, eldest son of Major G. H. Courtenay, and great-nephew of the 11th Earl of Devon. He was educated at Charterhouse, and commissioned into the 25th Foot on 9 August 1873. He transferred as Lieutenant to the 20th Hussarson 4 October 1873. He served throughout the Zulu War of 1879 as Staff Officer of the mounted troops of the Lower Tugela Column, and was present at the engagement of Inyezane, the action of Gingindhlovu (horse shot), and the relief of Ekowe (despatches London Gazette 7th May and 16th May 1879. Medal with clasp [roll shows ‘1879’]).

Promoted to Captain on 1 July 1881, Courtenay next served in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85, in command of the troop of 20th Hussars with the Light Camel Regiment. He took part in the operations of the Desert Column, including the attack on the Convoy on 14th February, and the engagement at Abu Klea Wells on the 16th and 17th February (Medal with clasp and Khedive’s Star). He also served with the Egyptian Frontier Field Force in 1885-86, as Adjutant to the 20th Hussars and as Staff Officer to mounted troops, and was present in the engagement at Ginnis (mentioned in despatches).

He was promoted Major on appointment to the 13th Hussars in April 1889, transferred to the 11th Hussars on 6 May 1891, and was Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 11th Hussars from 1896-1900, during which period he commanded them on the North West Frontier of India in 1897-98 (Medal with clasp). He relinquished his command on promotion to Brevet Colonel in June 1900, and was appointed Assistant Adjutant General, and Chief Staff Officer, North West District, with rank of Colonel, 1900-05. He was created a Comapnaion of the Bath in 1905, and served on the General Staff, Welsh and Midland Command, 1905-07, and as Inspector of Yeomanry and Colonel in charge of Cavalry Records, York, 1917-10. Courtenat retired in 1910, but rejoined in 1914, serving in the U.K. and France (?) until 1917, as Deputy Adjutant General, 2nd Army Central Force. He was mentioned in despatches and created a Companion of St Michael and St George in 1917. Brigadier-General Courtenay died in London on 29 March 1919. No Medal Index Card can be traced for this officer and it is therefore probable that he is not entitled to campaign medals for the Great War.