Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Major Harry Trevor, 15th Sikhs

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (Lieut: H. Trevor. 15th Sikhs.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (Lieutt. H. Trevor Mandalay Mily. Police Bn.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Captn: H. Trevor. 15th Sikhs.); Khedive's Star 1884-6; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (Unsuccessful), (Lieut. H. Trevor, “15th Sikhs” 1st April, 1887.) complete with bronze riband buckle; together with a second identical bronze medal (Lieut. H. Trevor, April, 1, 1887.) complete with bronze riband buckle in Elkington case of issue, light contact marks, otherwise better than very fine (6) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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Harry Trevor was born at Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Wales, on 7 July 1861, son of Edward S. R. Trevor, J.P. He was first commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the 69th Foot on 22 January 1881, transferred to the Cheshire Regiment in March 1881, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1881. The following year he was serving with H.Q. of the 2nd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment at Allahabad. He joined the Bengal Staff Corps on 6 July 1883, and was posted to the 15th Sikhs at Ferozepore. He served in the Eastern Sudan in 1885 and was present in the action at Hasheen, battle of Tofrek, and destruction of Tamai (Medal with two clasps and Bronze Star). He served in Burma in 1887 with the Mandalay Police Battalion (Medal with clasp). He was also awarded the Bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society for an unsuccessful attempt to save the life of a Lieutenant of the Worcestershire Regiment, who drowned in Rawalpindi Lake on 1 April 1887.

Trevor was appointed Wing Commander in February 1892 and served in Gilgit with a detachment of 15th Sikhs in October 1894. Also with him in Gilgit were Captain J. T. O’Brien and Lieutenant J. J. R. Gordon of the 15th Sikhs, together with Captain C. Ross, and Lieutenants H. J. Jones and H. K. Harley with a detachment of the 14th Sikhs. Harley, Jones and Ross shortly afterwards achieved great fame for their part in the defence of Chitral. Trevor was promoted to Captain in January 1892 and served with the 15th Sikhs in the Tochi Valley campaign in 1897, and in the Tirah campaign in 1897-98 (Medal with two clasp). He was promoted to Major on 22 January 1901, and was officiating 2nd in command of the 15th Sikhs. Major Trevor retired on 1 February 1905, and is still shown in the Retired List for 1939, aged 78.

Note: Successive British, but not Indian, Army Lists credit Trevor with service against the Mazrui rebels in East Africa in 1896 (Medal). However, existing photographs of him wearing medals or ribbons later in his career clearly show that he did not have this medal.

Sold with some excellent copied photographs from a Trevor family album including decorated V.C.Os. of the 15th Sikhs (many named), group photographs including Trevor at Suakin, at various stations in India after 1885, and at the Delhi Durbar in 1903, although he was not selected to receive the medal.