Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce double-issue I.G.S. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Philips, Indian Army, late Middlesex Regiment, a Boer War veteran who saw lengthy service in the East African Campaign during the Great War

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Lieut. J. C. Philips. Middx. Rgt.); India General Service 1908-35, E.VII.R., 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Ltt. J. C. Philips 28th. Panjabis.) minor official correction to unit; 1914-15 Star (Capt. J. C. Philips, 28/Punjabis.); British War and Victory Medals (Major. J. C. Philips.); India General Service 1908-35, G.V.R., 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Maj. J. C. Philips, 2-56 Pjbis.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Major. J. C. Philips.); Defence Medal; Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Knight’s breast badge, gold and enamel, generally good very fine (9) £700-£900

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

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Order of the Crown of Italy, Knight, London Gazette 31 August 1917.

James Charles Philips was born in 1881 at Bareilly, India, the son of Major J. J. Philips, Indian Army. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) on 18 January 1900, he served in the Cape Colony with the 6th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during the Boer War.

Seconded to the Indian Army on 6 March 1903, Philips was posted to the 28th Punjabis at Nowshera with effect from 8 September 1903. He resigned his commission on 14 March 1906, but was promoted Double Company Officer and Adjutant on 12 April 1907. He served in the Zakka Khel campaign with the 28th Punjabis in 1908, was advanced Captain on 19 February 1909, and was attached to 1st N.W. Railway Volunteer Rifles in 1912.

Philips served in East Africa continuously during the Great War from November 1914 to July 1917, and was advanced Major on 1 September 1915 and served as Staff Captain, 1st East African Infantry Brigade, March-July 1916. He was present at the battle of Salaita in March 1916 and the attack on Latema Nek, 11-12 March; the advance to the Ruvu, 18 March; the action at Kahe, 21 March; and General Smut's first offensive in 1916. He served as Commandant, Lines of Communication, from July to December 1916, as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General.

Philips was awarded the Italian Order of the Crown, 5th Class (London Gazette 31 August 1917) – an unusual award to the Indian Army for East Africa. His wife, Enid Philips, was also honoured for this theatre, being appointed M.B.E. (Civil) dated 1 January 1919, ‘For valuable services rendered to the East African Expeditionary Force’ (London Gazette 22 March 1919).

Philips subsequently served with the war-raised 2/56th Punjabis from June 1917. In May 1919, they were stationed at Quetta as part of the Baluchistan Force on the Southern Front and remained there as part of the force under General Wapshare ready to take action in Southern Afghanistan via the Khojak Pass if necessary, or to defend Baluchistan against Afghan incursions. In mid-July 1919, as preparations were being made for a peace conference, a small force including the 2-56th was moved to New Chaman ready to attack an Afghan concentration at Murgha Chaman if the negotiations failed. The force was sniped at continually in July and early August and the lines of communication were threatened by tribal bands. However, the conclusion of a peace treaty on 8 August 1919 ended enemy activity on this front.

Philips went on the serve in the Iraq Rebellion, 1920-21, with 2/56th Punjabis and for some time with 2/119th Regiment. He was appointed Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1919 whilst commanding a Battalion of 2/153rd Infantry, and Lieutenant-Colonel with the 15th Punjabis on 1 February 1923. He transferred to the Unemployed List in August 1927, but was restored to Full Pay in March 1928 as recruiting Officer in Rawalpindi.

Philips retired to England in September 1930, and lived in Sandhurst until 1939. He died in Clifton, Bristol, in 1956.

Sold with copied research.